To Be Covered
Notes
Transcript
Oops: Upsetting the equilibrium
In this story of the woman who touched the garments of Jesus we find a great spiritual truth.
Oops: Upsetting the equilibrium
Clothing is an essential part of our lives. It gives us shelter from the hot burning sun, and prevents us from getting cold in the winter. Clothing also hides the things that we do not really want other people to. Clothing can hide our shame. It can also make us feel important. As people see what we are wearing they may comment and we then feel better about our selves. Clothing can also allow us to be long to various social groups. We might even dress in particular ways so that the groups we want to be apart of will be more willing to accept us. Clothing in scripture has more to do that just the covering of our bodies. There is a deep symbolic image that clothing represents.
In this story of the woman who touched the garments of Jesus we find a great spiritual truth. This story speaks to the truth of salvation that says we are saved through the righteousness of Jesus. the fringe, border that this woman touches is called “kráspedon”. The kraspedon were the cords that were twisted and then sown onto the bottom of the garment. The instruction for these kraspedon is found in You shall make tassels on the four corners of the clothing with which you cover yourself. Sadly over time the Jewish leaders began to pervert this instruction given by Moses so much so that Jesus even remarks about this in but all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders “kraspedon” of their garments. This was a sign of superior piety meaning that the religious leaders were claiming to be more devout in their religious obligation. They were wanting people to notice how religious and pure they were. The word tassel used in Deuteronomy comes from the verb gadil meaning to become great. The religious leaders were showing how great they were by enlarging these tassels. They could be suggesting that their great religious work were giving them the assurance that they were saved. Their works were covering their spiritual nakedness. Jesus rebuked this behaviour where these things were seen as badges to attract attention. The religious leaders desired the people to give them reverence as they saw the large tassels and broad phylacteries. All these things developed a sense of self righteousness.
These parchments were worn merely as badges, to attract attention. They were thought to give the wearers an air of devotion which would command the reverence of the people. Jesus struck a blow at this vain pretense
Ellen Gould White, The Desire of Ages, vol. 3, Conflict of the Ages Series (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1898), 612–613.
Ugh: The plot thickness
This make me think of what Moses wrote in then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. Adam and Eve after they had sinned against God saw their nakedness and were ashamed. In their attempt to solve their problem they sewed fig leaves together and covered themselves. The sewing of fig leaves speaks to a bigger issue than just their lack of clothing. Their actions are an attempt to cover up their shame this how ever only addresses the symptoms of the problem. Their attempts and the attempts of the Pharisees can not cover their sinfulness. Adam and Eve and the Pharisees were attempting to cover up their separation from God by sewing clothes for themselves, by saying that they were better than all the common people. Both Adam and Eve and the religious leaders in Jesus time were trying to cover up their sinfulness through their own actions. Attempting to present themselves acceptable to God.
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
Are we any different? Do we try and conceal our spiritual nakedness by following all the does and don’ts. We also have a list of things that abstain from because we want to cover our selves like Adam and Eve. However God said to them that their attempt to save themselves was not adequate. it was not enough. There was nothing that they could do that would save them. Their fig leave covering would not be able to with stand the elements of a sinful world. The fig leaves would eventually dry up and be of no use. We read in that God made tunics of skin for Adam and Eve. God provided a form of clothing that would be able to protect them against the elements of the world they were about to enter into.
Aha: Disclosing the clue to resolution
What then is the solution to the situation what we find ourselves in? If all my good works cannot save me then how am I to be save. How can I then have assurance that my salvation is secured? As we discover the solution to our problem let us return to our scripture reading and glean some insights. We know that our salvation is found in Christ and in Him alone. So where in the story do we see this? We might think that there could have been healing properties in the garment that Jesus was wearing but that would not be the case. When we look at what the woman touched and dig a little deeper we will see that the kraspedon had special meaning. The karspedon consisted white and blue threads that were then woven together. They were not their to decorate the garments that were worn but they were to remind Israel of God’s presence in their lives. They were also a reminder of the importance of God Law and that they should live a life of obedience to Him. The kraspedon was also a reminder of their salvation. As the Israelites looked on these kraspedon they were to be reminded that their salvation and hope was to be found only in Christ. As this woman reached out and touched the kraspedon she was reaching out and touching that which symbolized salvation in Christ. The blue tassel was a reminder of the ten commandments and it was to point to Jesus who would fulfill the law. The white within the tassel pointed to the purity and righteousness of Christ. As Matthew writes this story he says that this lady reached out to touch the karpedon she was claiming for her self the perfect life of Jesus not only that she may be healed but that she could be saved. Matthew emphasis this by quoting Jesus saying in but Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. Being made well here speaks to salvation and not just her healing. Matthew want his readers to see that the assurance of salvation comes from that which Christ provides. This is what Moses was saying in where God provided the clothes Adam and Eve needed. It was not just for the elements of nature but God was saying I will provide for you the clothes you need to be saved.
Whee: Experiencing the Gospel
Eerdmans Bible Dictionary TASSEL
TASSEL. A dangling ornament of white woolen threads and a blue cord attached to the four corners of one’s garment as a reminder of God’s presence, salvation, and commandments in accordance with the instructions given at Num. 15:38–41 (Heb. ṣîṣiṯ; KJV “fringe”); Deut. 22:12 (geḏilîm; KJV “fringes”). With the decline in the wearing of four-cornered garments, the tallit or prayer shawl, with tassels attached to the corners in a prescribed elaborate fashion, came to be worn by Jewish men during daytime prayer times. Many modern Orthodox Jewish men also wear the tallit katan, a smaller tallit with tassels, under their shirts.
It may have been the tassels of Jesus’ garment that the woman with a hemorrhage touched (Matt. 9:20 par.) and that were the means of healing for others (14:36 par.); Gk. kráspedon (RSV “fringe[s]”) might represent simply the edge of Jesus’ garment (KJV “border, hem”) or the distinctive Jewish tassels, referred to at 23:5.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), .
kráspedon
says, For as many of you aw were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. The concept here speaks about clothing. Putting on Christ means that we clothe ourselves with Him. He is the one that covers the shame of our sinfulness. As we reach out in faith to Christ like this woman we are clothed in the white garments meaning that the prefect life of Jesus covers us. The experience of the Gospel is to know that as we reach out to Christ He is faithful to heal and forgive us. It is to know that no matter who we are what we have done, how embarrassed we may feel about ourselves when we come to Christ and put Him on we are saved.
Whee: Experiencing the Gospel
Yeah: anticipating the future
What does all this mean? It means that we do not have to be like the Pharisees trying to earn my way into salvation. As we come to Christ today and receive Him we are clothed in His perfect life. Now as we have received His prefect life we now live and walk in newness of life. We now live freed from the burdens of sin and live a new life through the power of Christ that lives in me. We do not need to fear what happens around us because our lives are in Christ and in Him we have hope and deliverance.
Having the light removed and requiring the covering from God.
Clothing is an essential part of our lives. It gives us shelter from the hot burning sun and prevents us from getting cold in the winter. Clothing also hides the things that we do not really want other people to. Clothing can hide our shame. It can also make us feel important. As people see what we are wearing they may comment, and we then feel better about ourselves. Clothing can also allow us to be long to various social groups. We might even dress in particular ways so that the groups we want to be a part of will be more willing to accept us. Clothing in scripture has more to do that just the covering of our bodies. There is a deep symbolic image that clothing represents.
Christs robe is touched bringing healing to a woman
Christ’s clothing is removed and receives a royal robe this then is removed bering Him in shame as was Adam and Eve. pointing to Jesus being our substitute
In this story of the woman who touched the garments of Jesus we find a great spiritual truth. This story speaks to the truth of salvation that says we are saved through the righteousness of Jesus. the fringe, border that this woman touches is called “kráspedon”. The kraspedon were the cords that were twisted and then sown onto the bottom of the garment. The instruction for these kraspedon is found in You shall make tassels on the four corners of the clothing with which you cover yourself. Sadly, over time the Jewish leaders began to pervert this instruction given by Moses so much so that Jesus even remarks about this in but all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders “kraspedon” of their garments. This was a sign of superior piety meaning that the religious leaders were claiming to be more devout in their religious obligation. They were wanting people to notice how religious and pure they were. The word tassel used in Deuteronomy comes from the verb gadil meaning to become great. The religious leaders were showing how great they were by enlarging these tassels. They could be suggesting that their great religious works were giving them the assurance that they were saved. Their works were covering their spiritual nakedness. Jesus rebuked this behavior where these things were seen as badges to attract attention. The religious leaders desired the people to give them reverence as they saw the large tassels and broad phylacteries. All these things developed a sense of self-righteousness.
Ugh: The plot thickness
Christ is clothed in a robe of glory.
This enables all those who believe in God be clothed in His righteousness clothing with Christ (; ), clothing with the new man (; ), and clothing with the resurrection body (, ; ). I
This make me think of what Moses wrote in then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. Adam and Eve after they had sinned against God saw their nakedness and were ashamed. In their attempt to solve their problem they sewed fig leaves together and covered themselves. The sewing of fig leaves speaks to a bigger issue than just their lack of clothing. Their actions are an attempt to cover up their shame this however only addresses the symptoms of the problem. Their attempts and the attempts of the Pharisees cannot cover their sinfulness. Adam and Eve and the Pharisees were attempting to cover up their separation from God by sewing clothes for themselves, by saying that they were better than all the common people. Both Adam and Eve and the religious leaders in Jesus time were trying to cover up their sinfulness through their own actions. Attempting to present themselves acceptable to God.
Are we any different? Do we try and conceal our spiritual nakedness by following all the does and don’ts? We also have a list of things that abstain from because we want to cover ourselves like Adam and Eve. However, God said to them that their attempt to save themselves was not adequate. it was not enough. There was nothing that they could do that would save them. Their fig leave covering would not be able to withstand the elements of a sinful world. The fig leaves would eventually dry up and be of no use. We read in that God made tunics of skin for Adam and Eve. God provided a form of clothing that would be able to protect them against the elements of the world they were about to enter into.
Aha: Disclosing the clue to resolution
What then is the solution to the situation what we find ourselves in? If all my good works cannot save me then how am I to be save. How can I then have assurance that my salvation is secured? As we discover the solution to our problem let us return to our scripture reading and glean some insights. We know that our salvation is found in Christ and in Him alone. So, where in the story do, we see this? We might think that there could have been healing properties in the garment that Jesus was wearing but that would not be the case. When we look at what the woman touched and dig a little deeper, we will see that the kraspedon had special meaning. The karspedon consisted white and blue threads that were then woven together. They were not there to decorate the garments that were worn but they were to remind Israel of God’s presence in their lives. They were also a reminder of the importance of God Law and that they should live a life of obedience to Him. The kraspedon was also a reminder of their salvation. As the Israelites looked on these kraspedon they were to be reminded that their salvation and hope was to be found only in Christ. As this woman reached out and touched the kraspedon she was reaching out and touching that which symbolized salvation in Christ. The blue tassel was a reminder of the ten commandments, and it was to point to Jesus who would fulfill the law. The white within the tassel pointed to the purity and righteousness of Christ. As Matthew writes this story, he says that this lady reached out to touch the karpedon she was claiming for herself the perfect life of Jesus not only that she may be healed but that she could be saved.
Matthew emphasis this by quoting Jesus saying in but Jesus turned around, and when He saw her, He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. Being made well here speaks to salvation and not just her healing. Matthew want his readers to see that the assurance of salvation comes from that which Christ provides. This is what Moses was saying in where God provided the clothes Adam and Eve needed. It was not just for the elements of nature, but God was saying I will provide for you the clothes you need to be saved.
but Jesus turned around, and when He saw her, He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. Being made well here speaks to salvation and not just her healing. Matthew want his readers to see that the assurance of salvation comes from that which Christ provides. This is what Moses was saying in where God provided the clothes Adam and Eve needed. It was not just for the elements of nature, but God was saying I will provide for you the clothes you need to be saved.
Whee: Experiencing the Gospel
says, for as many of you aw were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. The concept here speaks about clothing. Putting on Christ means that we clothe ourselves with Him. He is the one that covers the shame of our sinfulness. As we reach out in faith to Christ like this woman, we are clothed in the white garments meaning that the prefect life of Jesus covers us. The experience of the Gospel is to know that as we reach out to Christ, He is faithful to heal and forgive us. It is to know that no matter who we are what we have done, how embarrassed we may feel about ourselves when we come to Christ and put Him on, we are saved.
Yeah: anticipating the future
What does all this mean? It means that we do not have to be like the Pharisees trying to earn my way into salvation. As we come to Christ today and receive Him, we are clothed in His perfect life. Now as we have received His prefect life we now live and walk in newness of life. We now live freed from the burdens of sin and live a new life through the power of Christ that lives in me. We do not need to fear what happens around us because our lives are in Christ and in Him we have hope and deliverance.