Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves in tender compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience— Colossians 3:12, TLV

Paul writes to remind the Colossians. He reminds them that once they wore the sinful, old self (vs. 9). But now, because they were raised up with their Messiah to a new life (vs. 1), they should focus on the things above — the holy and lovely things.

If you’ve ever worn filthy clothing over a filthy body, you know the lovely feeling when after bathing you put on fresh clean clothing. Ahhh.

This image of removing filthy clothing and wearing clean garments is prophetic. Perhaps Paul was alluding to Zachariah:

“Now Joshua* was wearing filthy garments and standing before the angel who answered and spoke to those standing before him saying, ‘Remove the filthy garments from him.’ Then to Joshua he said, ‘See, I have removed your iniquity from you and will dress you with fine clothing.’” Zachariah 3:3-4, TLV

What we “wear” matters . . .

There are other Messianic prophecies that speak of our filth being covered in a clean garment or a robe of righteousness. The passage in Zachariah is my favorite, but I also love Isaiah 61:10:

I will rejoice greatly in Adonai. My soul will be joyful in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me in a robe of righteousness— like a bridegroom wearing a priestly turban, like a bride adorning herself with her jewels.

The image of putting on, clothing ourselves is powerful and comforting. Our earthly body and clothing will eventually become dirty again. We will need to bathe and change clothes, but because Jesus’s robe of righteousness is eternal and bought by His blood, it will never corrupt.

Because of all He did for us, we want to emulate Him as best we can. We clothe ourselves in His traits of tender compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience . . . and love. Yes, we may have to change our failed efforts each day, but each day we can wear our fresh attempts, all under Yeshua’s robe of righteousness. His clothing will never corrupt or soil. And, aren’t we grateful for that!

Please pray Psalm 122.

*By the way, the name Joshua is the English translation of Yeshua or Yehoshua. Interesting, yes?