This is the last article in the series, “Clothing and the Cross in the Context of Shame”  (part-1) (part-2). It delves into the significance of clothing and shame concerning Christ and His supremacy in all things. It also examines how Scripture addresses the redemption of human shame through the clothing motif and how Christ and his lordship are central to this matter.

Throughout the Bible, the theme of clothing carries profound spiritual significance, often symbolizing dignity, status, and transformation. In the context of Christ and His redemptive work, clothing transcends its literal meaning to represent the profound changes brought about by salvation.

The Nakedness of Adam and Garments of Salvation

As noted in part 1, the nakedness of Adam and Eve and the garments of salvation in Genesis 3:7 prefigure Christ’s righteousness and salvation. Adam and Eve realized their nakedness. Their nakedness symbolized their loss of innocence and need for divine covering. Nevertheless, God graciously provided garments of skin, pointing to the necessity of a sacrificial covering for sin. Martin Luther states that the clothing of Adam and Eve with skins is a figure of the future righteousness of Christ, which covers our shame and sin.¹ This act of covering signifies Christ’s redemptive work, where His righteousness clothes believers, affirming His lordship and provision of salvation.

Prophetic Imagery: Garments of Righteousness

God’s provision of righteousness and salvation is often symbolized by Old Testament prophecies pointing to Christ.² For instance, Psalm 132:16 says, “I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon, a great preacher of the 19th century, reflected about this prophecy. He believes that as God covers the priests with garments of salvation, believers, too, will receive the blessing of being clothed in Christ’s righteousness.³ Such prophecies illustrate how Christ’s redemptive work clothes believers in His righteousness, underscoring His lordship and the transformative power of His salvation.

Christ’s Supremacy and the Wedding Garment

The supremacy of Christ is evident in His provision of the wedding garment of righteousness (cf. Rev. 19:6-10).⁴ Revelation 19:8 states, “It was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure.” This highlights the clothing of believers in Christ’s righteousness through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, transforming shame into glory. The cross of Christ is the moment when the weight of the world’s sin and shame was taken off us and placed on Him (cf. Col. 2:13-15; Heb. 12:2). Thus, the cross is the means by which believers are clothed in salvation, underscoring Christ’s supreme authority and redemptive work.

The Cross: Bearing Our Shame and Asserting Christ’s Supremacy

The cross of Christ stands at the heart of the Christian narrative of clothing, shame, and redemption. At Golgotha, Jesus was stripped of His garments, symbolizing the profound exposure and shame He bore for humanity’s sin. Mark 15:24 recounts, “And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.” This act of public humiliation is pivotal in understanding the depth of Christ’s sacrifice.

By enduring the cross, Jesus embraced the ultimate shame to offer believers the ultimate garment of righteousness. Isaiah 53:3-5 foretells,

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain…But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed.

This prophetic vision highlights the exchange of Christ’s suffering for our healing and honor.

John R.W. Stott, a prolific Bible expositor of the 21st century, reflects on this profound mystery. He encapsulates its truth by stating that “the essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for man.”⁵ In this divine exchange, the shame and exposure of the cross become the means by which believers are clothed in salvation, transforming our disgrace into divine grace. Through Christ’s nakedness, we are clothed in His righteousness, affirming His supremacy and lordship over all.

Clothed in Christ: The New Creation

Being “clothed in Christ” is integral to understanding the believer’s new identity and transformation in the Christian life. Galatians 3:27 declares, “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” This signifies the profound change that occurs when one becomes a follower of Christ, taking on His righteousness and character.

This transformation is both individual and communal. Ephesians 4:22-24 urges believers to “Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life…and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” The old self, associated with sin and shame, is replaced with a new self, reflecting Christ’s righteousness. This ongoing sanctification in the context of the Church is a testament to the believer’s new status in Christ.

Furthermore, this renewal extends to the entire community of believers and the cosmos (cf. Matt. 19:28).⁶ Revelation 7:9-10 presents a vision of a great multitude standing before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, signifying purity and victory through Christ. This image points to the ultimate culmination of God’s redemptive plan, where all creation is restored and believers, united in Christ, partake in His glory (cf. Rom. 8:18-25). Thus, being clothed in Christ embodies the hope of complete renewal and transformation in Him.

The Gospel in Asian Context: Enveloped by Honor and Purity in Christ

In Asian societies, where concepts of honor and purity carry significant weight, the biblical notion of being enveloped by Christ resonates profoundly. The gospel extends a profound sense of honor and acceptance beyond cultural constraints.⁷ Christ’s promise to cloak us with His righteousness not only offers redemption but also speaks directly to cultural ideals of honor and purity. It is a message of hope and renewal, addressing the core values ingrained in our cultures. This narrative of being adorned in Christ’s grace resonates with, even redeems, societal norms, providing a transformative understanding of identity and belonging.

Conclusion

The theme of clothing in relation to Christ encapsulates the profound transformation that salvation brings. From the Garden of Eden to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, Scripture consistently portrays the redemptive story that addresses human shame and restores dignity.

In Christ, we find the ultimate fulfillment of these themes. His life, death, and resurrection provide a new garment of righteousness, covering our shame and elevating us to a place of honor. This profound truth resonates deeply in cultures where honor and shame are pivotal, offering a transformative understanding of identity and worth in Christ.

As believers, we are called to live out this new identity, clothed in Christ’s righteousness, embodying the virtues that reflect our status as redeemed people. This daily pursuit not only covers our shame but also empowers us to live honorably, reflecting God’s grace and glory to a world in need of His redemptive love.

John Leones Jr. is a faculty member and current chair of the Theology Department at the International Graduate School of Theology. He is married to Awit and has two children, Timothy John and Trinity Jan. An ordained minister and church planter, he previously served as the pioneering pastor-teacher of Borongan City Evangelical Church in Borongan City, Eastern Samar, Philippines. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Theological Studies with AGST.