The Fashion of the Christ

 David Alan Black 

People begged just to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. When they touched it, they were made well.

In Jesus’ day, the hem of one’s garment was highly significant. It was often interwoven with tassels. These tassels were not for decoration. They reminded the wearer of God’s commandments. Numbers 15:13-41 states:

Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners. And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the LORD and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your God.”

Likewise, in the book of Colossians we are told what garments to put off, since in Christ we have died to the old man, and what clothing to put on, in view of the fact that we are new creatures in Christ and are being renewed in righteousness after the image of Himself. Again, in Isaiah 64:6 we are told that all of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, by which is meant that no matter how righteous we may think we are, before God we are adorned in filth. It is only as we “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 13:14) that we can be clothed in garments clean and white.

Just as a horseman puts on a riding habit, so the Christian is to put on Christian habits. Our character is to be adorned with the clothing of the new man in Christ. Christian song writers throughout the centuries have recognized this wonderful truth. Edward Mote noted: “When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found, Dressed in His Righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.” Charles Wesley wrote: “No condemnation now I dread, Jesus, and all in Him, is mine! Alive in him, my living head, And clothed in righteousness divine.” And in the classic hymn Rock of Ages, Augustus Toplady prayed: “Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress, Helpless, look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly, Wash me, Savior, or I die!”

A popular saying goes, “Clothing makes the man.” This is a biblical truth. While obedience to the commandments of God cannot bring salvation, those who are saved ought to live in a manner worthy of their salvation. The way to holiness is the same as the way to salvation – not through self-effort, but by the virtue and in the power of the blood of Christ and His resurrection life.

Oh to touch the hem of His garment and be healed!