When celebrities walk the red carpet outside the major award shows, there’s always a reporter who is commenting on “who” everyone is wearing.
After David defeated Goliath and ushered in God’s deliverance of Israel, he became national hero. The women lined the streets and sang songs of him. Jonathan, King Saul’s son, became dear friends with David—perhaps even the best human friend we read about in scripture.
To demonstrate his loyalty and love, in 1 Samuel 18:4, “Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.” This was no small act; Jonathan gave up the robe of the heir to the throne of Israel. He gave up the armor that might save his life. He forfeited his weapons and his authority and laid it at the feet of David. David now wore Jonathan’s garments.
Jonathan isn’t the only man in scripture who gave up his kingly garments for someone else. Isaiah praised the Lord, saying, “I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, My soul will exult in my God; for he has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness.” (Isaiah 61:10)
God has given his people his own garments of righteousness. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, the Bible says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him, we might become the righteousness of God.” Most Christians understood that in Jesus, God has taken away our sin and uncleanness, but many don’t understand the rest of what God has done. Not only did he take away our imperfection, he has given us something new—his righteousness!
As Christians, we are clothed with the King’s garments. We are not perfect—but we are clothed in his perfection. Like children, as we grow and develop in the grace of Jesus, we “grow into” that garment and become more like him. What a gift! So, who are you wearing?