CLOTHED WITH CHRIST
The world record for the most expensive dress ever designed belongs to a garment entitled “The Nightingale of Kuala Lumpur,” valued by Sotheby’s at $30 million. Unveiled at the STYLO Grand Prix fashion show in 2009, the dress contains 1,000 carats of diamonds, 750 stones in total, and a seventy carat pear cut diamond centerpiece. Made from exquisite red chiffon, the combination of the vibrant red color and the dazzling diamonds creates a truly mesmerizing effect. (https://thebridaltip.com/what-is-the-most-expensive-wedding-dress-ever-bought/) And to think, sometimes it’s a stretch for me to part with five bucks for a thrift-store shirt!
Although it doesn’t make the list for the world’s most expensive garments, the clothing we wear as followers of Jesus is infinitely more valuable than $30 million. We’re clothed in the Lord Jesus Christ himself! Galatians 3:27 states, “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
Think of how amazing this is. Jesus wraps us in his very presence! We’re never alone. He surrounds us, protects us, and clothes us in his righteousness. Everywhere we go, we’re wrapped in Jesus. Whether at home, work, buying gas, or groceries, we bring Jesus with us into every situation. Even if you don’t feel it, it’s the truth. In good times or bad times, he’s always with us.
Here’s something equally wonderful. Our spiritual clothing is free to us. Someone else purchased this garment for us at an incomprehensible price. First Peter 1:18-19 states, “You were redeemed … with the precious blood of Christ.” The Son of God paid for our wardrobe with his life.
Because we don’t see our spiritual attire, it’s easy to disregard the greatness of what it means to be clothed in Christ. The article in the source above states, “Anyone wearing this dress would feel like the ultimate princess.” Yet strutting around in a $30 million dress is nothing compared to the magnificence of being clothed in the Son of God, the King of the Universe! Imagine if our spiritual eyes were opened and we could see ourselves clothed in Christ. That would forever change how we define ourselves. Never again would we feel useless or unimportant. The next time you buy a new outfit, and marvel at how good you look in it, ask God to remind you of your permanent spiritual clothing, and the great cost He paid so you could be clothed in Christ.
Principle: As followers of Jesus, we are clothed in Christ.
Ponder:
If you’re a follower of Jesus, how does knowing you’re clothed in Christ change the way you see yourself and live daily?
If you’re not a follower of Jesus, why not surrender your life to him and be baptized?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Galatians 3:26-29.
Lord Jesus, thank you for the incomprehensible price you paid so you could clothe me in your very presence. Help me live in an awareness of this.