In reading this morning, I came across this.
In Genesis, after Adam and Eve made their monumental and heartbreaking mistakes, they “…hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God…” in the Garden of Eden. Their nakedness was exposed – they were afraid, ashamed, broken. Now separated from God, their Father.
So God called out to them, “Where are you?” Adam said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” Then God does something literal and symbolic…it says, “the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.”
Fast forward to the New Testament…
Christ came to earth, gave his blood, was killed, and divided his clothing.
“When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them…This was to fulfill the scripture that says, ‘They divided my garments among them…” (John 19:24)
Just as an animal was killed to clothe Adam and Eve to cover their shame so they could walk again freely, God gave his son to be killed, by his blood, to divide the clothing of Christ among all people who are naked – afraid, ashamed, in brokenness and separation from their Father.
“For all you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Gal 3:27)
We are clothed with Christ, by God. Same as He clothed Adam and Eve back in the garden. He provides clothes for us, to cover our shame and bring us back to Him.
And then he covenanted with us. Instead of us being separated, hiding in brokenness from Him – belonging to the false lover who deceives and does not fulfill – we were given a covenant from our Father and Lover. “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” (Rev 19:9)
“What therefore God has joined together, let man not separate.” (Mark 10:9)
For, “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
“He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Duet 31:6)
He clothed and maintained relationship with Adam and Eve.
It was a beautiful preview of what He wanted to do for all of us. If we believe and say yes, he has clothing and a covenant for us, to wear forever. What an amazing God.
