7/18/2023

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING:

“Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs: those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”

(Revelation 22.14-15)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

How do we wash our robes? If we are considering a literal robe, then we would probably toss it into the washing machine, add some laundry detergent, perhaps add some fabric softener, choose the appropriate setting and engage the machine. When it has finished the full cycle, we either hang it to dry or put it in the dryer, on the appropriate setting, and let it run its full cycle. When that is done, we can say we have “washed our robe.” I would ask you now to look back and consider how many decisions you had to make in order to wash your robe. Even if you washed it by hand, you are still having to make a number of decisions to establish the fact that you have washed your robe. When Jesus spoke directly to John after allowing the angel of the Lord conduct the tour of the future, He announced “Blessed are those who wash their robe.” But, this wasn’t just an ordinary washing, an every day washing nor a dry cleaning so as to set a garment aside for safekeeping as some may do with a wedding dress perhaps. No, this is a washing of intentionality and purpose. The goal is to gain the right to take fruit from the Tree of Life and with it enter The City through the gate. The image of that gate is drawn out of a teaching which John recorded in his gospel concerning Jesus the Christ. In John 10.9+, Jesus is quoted as saying, “I AM the door of the sheep. If anyone enters through Me, they will be saved. And in confidence they will be able to pass through the door.” The image is of the good shepherd who, in the fullest execution of his duty, becomes the gate or door of the sheep pen itself. He does not barricade it with a makeshift gate and walk away. He establishes himself as the gatekeeper. He builds his campfire for the night and maintains a vigil through the dark hours. The light of the fire burns brightly and establishes a perimeter of warning. The predators remain in the cover of darkness. Their presence is known by snorts, growls, yips, howls, pawing at the line of demarcation and occasionally darting into the light only to disappear again into the night. The sheep trust in the shepherd. They are calmed by his voice of assurance and the steady breathing of confidence which lulls them easily to sleep. The rest in his trust and in his commitment to call them his own.

And how do they know they are his own? We can easily take our cues from the beloved 23rd Psalm. They have experienced his provision and safekeeping on a daily basis. His resolve is renewed each morning just as it is planted each evening before them. Of course, in reading that psalm, we know that David was not merely speaking of literal sheep. He defined his relationship with God and God’s with him by using the image of shepherding. It was a practice he was most fond of. He was raised to be a good shepherd. He himself was shepherded by his father with a shepherding discipleship. David knew that God was shepherding him, too, into the fullness of life and with a bold confidence of faith. It is the same with us, mighty ones of God. We are, in the words of the psalmist, “We are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand; He is the Lord our God.” (Psalm 95.7) I invite you to stop and consider how many decisions our Good Shepherd has made concerning our safety, provision and the saving of our lives with the willingness to shed His own blood for our safekeeping. It was Jesus Himself who said, “No greater love is there than this that one would lay down their life for another.” (John 15.13) But, hear the connection announced in that word. It speaks to us of “shepherd to shepherd, sheep to sheep as well as a shepherd for his sheep.” The sheep understand the shepherd because the shepherd has endeavored to understand the sheep. He has washed his robe in the waters of their life.

So now, we are called to make that decision to wash our robes as well. We are not speaking of a literal robe, though cleanliness is akin to godliness they say. We are speaking of our lives and the mantles of responsibility we bear in the world. We renew and refresh not to make a good appearance in the world. The world is soiled and its garments are stained with the blood of others. Instead, we wash our robes in repentance and the seeking of forgiveness which is offered to us with its wonder working power of redemption and salvation. The way back into the Garden of Eden has been blocked because of our sin. Because of our choice to seek the height of heaven as our domain wearing a crown of knowledge of good and evil, we have been held at bay. The choice was made to live forever in the full blessing of God or to eat of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. But, now in the New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem, the Tree of Life and its fruit is available to those who will “wash their robes.” They who confess freely their lack of perfection knowing that such perfection is impossible to attain on their own. They profess gladly the One who is perfect and is made perfect in “weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12.9) We know that Jesus was not weak, but He took on both the form of our lives and the cross in order to conquer death. He experienced that “moment of weakness” where even the glory of God was unseen by Him. Yet, He believed in God His Father and His Father’s will not only for His life but for ours. By His sacrifice, He washed His robe in the blood of the Lamb who was slain. He became the sacrifice for our salvation which we can claim in the name of Jesus. He was able to pass through the valley of the shadow of death and enter into the Kingdom of God again. Freely, He could pass through the door between Heaven and earth and enjoy the life which only God can give.

But, this time, on that day, it will be different from all other days. On that day in Eden, man walked out into the world knowing that Paradise was but a memory of what was and what could have been if only “we” had chosen the Tree of Life. But, on this day, the day we wash our robes for, we will enter into our eternal rest and enjoy the Tree of Life never to enter into the world that is behind us. We will remember what was and what would have been if we had continued to choose knowledge over relationship, death over life, temptation over provision. We wash our robes daily to remind ourselves and others that we are living with a purpose that surpassing all knowledge and understanding. We wash our robes to signify our choice to serve the Lord our God and worship Him only. We wash our robes to show that God’s word is true and righteous altogether. We wash our robes because we may be in the world but we are not of it. We are of a people known to be a priesthood of all believers called to go into the world and make disciples of all nations.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, ready us, steady us and by Your Holy Spirit which Christ has promised us strengthen us to accomplish Your will on earth as it is in Heaven. Let the glory of the Lord be upon us. May Your Face look upon us and give us peace. May our declaration of the way, the truth and the life give comfort, aide and courage to those who are still in need of a Savior. May we introduce them today to Jesus who is the Christ and in whose name we live, pray and serve. AMEN.