THE BEST ROBE

“But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him.”

(Lk.15:22)

It was an outer garment for all to see, the father’s acceptance of his wayward son. The “best” one— not just any robe but a particular one— one they all knew and were familiar with; it was possibly the Father’s very own garment. It was not the worst, which the son deserved, but rather one that proved his Father’s personal acceptance.

Paul tells us the two great requisites for life, that is for the body, are food and raiment (1 Tim. 4:6). This is what the father provided his prodigal son upon his return home: a fatted calf and a robe (Lk.15:22-23). Interestingly, in his return home there was a death and a clothing. Hmmm, now where did I read that before? (Gen.3:21).

To the spiritual mind, the application is plain. Christ is made unto us both food, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever,” (Jn. 6:51) and raiment, “He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, (Is. 61:10). From rags to riches!

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”