The Best Robe

But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: - Luke 15:22

    The position, circumstance and attire of the younger son (now in the presence of his father) is remarkable and vitally significant because of his former condition and situation. His self-confessed unworthiness and his father’s unreserved acceptance of him unveils to us the heart-love and infinitely-free and sovereign grace and mercy of God our Saviour in vivid beauty and wondrous detail. The Holy Ghost has conspicuously placed the first visible and most worthy (yet undeserved) imputed gift (i.e., the best robe) upon the son which merits all other blessings. The best robe, which renders all other robes worthless, is the covering of the righteousness of Christ, which he wrought for his loved ones while here on earth. Our utter nakedness before God necessitates the best covering before the strict justice of God.

    God himself has provided and covered us with this robe. With the best robe on, divine justice can only see the righteousness of Christ. One of the wonders of this best robe is that those who are adorned with it are not only covered but have no sin at all! It is only those who have no sin that qualify for this beautiful apparel. Our blessed Redeemer, having wrought our righteousness for us, put away our sin as well by his own bloody sacrifice on the tree. In essence, viewing the best robe inside and from the outside, we see Christ in his sinless perfection, embracing worthless chosen sinners so closely that they are one with him and he one with them. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree (1 Pt 2:24) and For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Cor 5:21).

    Only the best robe will do for the worst of sinners. In regeneration, the worthless sinner receives the imparted righteous Christ and the imputed righteousness of Christ. There is nothing better than the best!