By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

But You Clothed me!

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“The King said…. “I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Matthew 25:36 New International Version

At the end of the age, God’s people will be a bit bewildered.  When the King gathers them together, He will say, “I needed clothes and you clothed Me.”  How strange, we will think!  When did we see our Lord Jesus and clothe Him?  I surely would remember seeing Him!  And when we ask that astonished question, the King will say, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.”

When we cared for others in Jesus’ name, it was as if we were caring for Him!  And no wonder we will be confused by this.  For it is Jesus, who by paying the price for our sin on the cross, clothed us with garments of righteousness!  “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:27)  He has cast away our filthy rags and clothed us with His forgiveness, His clean garments of salvation!

The Lord has taken away our dirty, sinful nature and given us a new glorious righteousness in Him forever.  And it is our privilege and pleasure not only to literally clothe others, but to offer them this garment of forgiveness and cleansing in Jesus Christ.  And all those who have put on Jesus Christ will be worshipping with Him and all His people forever and ever!

Lord, thank you for clothing me in your garment of salvation.  Send me out to share that same clothing you have give me to all I meet.  In Christ Jesus, Amen.

“Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before His throne!”

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado