With Eyes Wide Open - "The Robe Part 2" - Bethel Church Online

Bethel church Online – “The Robe Part 2” – Luke 15:20-23 – 5-5-2024 –

Luke 15:20-23 (NLT) 20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

Ephesians 1:7 (NLT) 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

Definition of Robe

Cambridge: robe
a long, loose piece of clothing worn especially on very formal occasions:

Biblical: robe

1. A kind of gown or long loose garment worn over other dress, particularly by persons in elevated stations. The robe is properly a dress of state or dignity, as of princes, judges, priests, &c. See Ex. 29:55. 1Sam. 24:4. Matt. 27:28.

2. A splendid female gown or garment. 2Sam. 13.

3. An elegant dress; splendid attire.

4. In Scripture, the vesture of purity or righteousness, and of happiness. Job 29. Luke 15.

This robe is described in the Amplified Bible as (a [distinctive] long tunic with sleeves). It was a very special garment that signified his father’s love and favor, as well as the destiny he would one day fulfill. For Joseph, it would be a daily reminder that he was covered in his father’s love.
Every time Satan looked at Joseph, he saw the robe, which constantly reminded him of his own inability to destroy the ultimate plans and purposes that God had for Joseph.

Genesis 37:3-4 (NLT) 3 Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe.

"But in truth it was not a "coat of many colors," but a tunic reaching down to the arms and feet, such as princes and persons of distinction wore, and it betokened to Joseph's brothers only too clearly . . . " (Bible History Old Testament).

"The references to Joseph's coat of many colors (Genesis 37:3, 13, 12) and "garments of divers colors" (2Samuel 13:18 - 19) probably do not mean the color of the garment at all, but the form . . ." (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia).

"The more luxurious classes of society - e.g., women of royal blood (2Samuel 13:18 - 19) and men of leisure - wore tunics with sleeves. This is the meaning of the Hebrew "passim" occurring in the description of the garment presented to Joseph by his father (Genesis 37:3). It was not "of many colors" . . . the color of the shirt worn

This Robe made him stand out. He had a purpose that goes beyond what could be imaged.

Jesus had a very similar robe:
John 19:23-24 (NLT) 23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice[a] for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.”[b] So that is what they did.

First, he was given a robe - a covering. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve lived the carefree life before sin, and did it completely naked. Stark naked! There was no shame because there was no understanding of right, wrong, or not living up to an expectation of what they should be. But once they committed the sin of not obeying God, one we’ve all committed, they realized their nakedness and covered themselves with leaves. The leaves hid their nakedness.

The robe given to the son represented the salvation received from Christ. It is His righteousness, His perfection that covers our sins. We’re no longer subjects of shame or guilt. Because we accept Christ as our savior, He does just that. He saves us from ourselves.

Isaiah 61:10 (NLT) 10 I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.

1 John 1:7 (NLT) 7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.