When We See Him (1)

by G. M. Hydon | Category: When We See Him | Mar 1994

How we dress may create a lasting impression on people we meet; their own views as to what is acceptable, appropriate or attractive largely determines what they think of us as the wearers. Clothing certainly does more than provide warmth or protection.

Garments of Salvation:

When Jacob wanted to mark out his greatly loved son he gave Joseph a many-coloured coat (Gen. 37:3). Artists have used their talents, and no doubt some degree of licence, in presenting their impressions of what Joseph's coat may have looked like. We can be sure of two things; it was unique, and it was more beautiful than ordinary wear. Joseph's coat displayed some of the glory his father attached especially to him among his brothers. Its most notable use was when Joseph wore it to visit his brothers. He came to them on a mission from his father, who was fully aware of the problems faced in his sons' occupation. Jacob wanted to be sure of his sons' safety. However that mission resulted in Joseph's utter rejection by his brothers. Joseph was sold as a servant; the many-coloured coat that was meant for glory was smeared in blood. His treacherous brothers would not see him again until they bowed before him, acknowledging him as the only one who could sustain their lives (Gen. 42:6).

With but a few minutes meditation we can see in these contrasts a foretaste of the humiliation and glorification of the Son of Man, whose glory we are waiting to see. He was the object of His Father's infinite love, yet He was sold for the price of a slave. His garments were stained in blood, His own blood, when He died fulfilling His father's mission of salvation. When Isaiah pictures garments of salvation (59:16-19; 61:10; 63:1-6) he has in view the Deliverer out of Zion, none other than the victorious Son of Man (Rom. 11:26) who will then be seen by Israel. But how did men see Him when He appeared in fulfilment of Isaiah's prophecy: "unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given"? (Is. 9:6 RV).

The Days of His Flesh:

We are told little about the clothing worn by the Son of Man during His life on earth; what we are told points to the humbleness of His circumstances. When first He appeared on His mission of mercy He was wrapped in cloths an4 laid in the animals' feeding trough. Shepherds sought to look upon Him in His infancy, at once unique yet ordinary. But it was not long before His life was sought, first by Herod and later by the religious authorities. John records that "He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him" (1:11); nor did the spiritually blind see His glory - the glory as of the Only Begotten Son of the Father (John 1:14). Joseph's rejection pales in comparison to that experienced by the Man of Sorrows.

One of His outer garments had been the vehicle to bring relief to the suffering woman of Matthew 9:21; these garments were distributed among those soldiers who crucified Him, even though they were by that time probably stained with the blood from His cruel whipping: "The plowers plowed upon My back; they lengthened their furrows" (Ps. 129:3; Mat. 27:26,31). We also know from John 19:23 that someone had woven for Him a tunic, and for this the men who pierced Him held a lottery - even while His blood was being shed in crucifixion. As Isaiah prophesied, the feelings of the people of God in that day were that "He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him" (53:2). For Him the time of His ultimate rejection was accompanied by deep shame, including that of being publicly disrobed. In exchange for the glory, beauty and joy of His Father's presence He chose to take the form of a servant and even to endure the shame of Calvary (Heb.12:2).

For these things there will be fulfilment of the words of Zechariah:

"They will look on Me whom they have pierced" (12:10; John 19:37). And in the book of the apocalypse, the unveiling of the Son of Man in His glory, we are reminded that "every eye will see Him, even those who pierced

Him" (Rev. 1:7). A consideration of the appearance of our great God and Saviour in the days of His flesh should leave a lasting impression on us and

provide much for our contemplation.

Biblical quotations are from the NASB except where indicated

G. M. Hydon | Mar 1994
When We See Him