No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Matthew 9:16

Imagine showing up to a wedding wearing an old outfit you quickly tried to patch up before the big day. When you get there, you lean over for a group photo and rrrr-ip. With only a little added pressure, the weak spot in your wardrobe tears. You can feel your face warming as embarrassment starts to spread all throughout your body. That’s because garments are meant to cover.

When the disciples of John come to Jesus with a question about fasting, Jesus gives them a picture of an old, ripping garment. Here, he’s inviting them to see how they are using old methods in a new world, and how their old methods are not going to stand the test of time. What they really need is new methods in their new world. The use of the Old Testament law was good for a time, but Jesus is inviting his disciples to take on something brand new.

Just as garments have always been designed to cover, Jesus is inviting us to receive new garments of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). What was once covered with the sacrifice of animals, is now covered with the blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:13-14). We must come to him open to receiving something brand new to put on his robes of righteousness. If we wear the old garments we’ve tried to fix or patch to cover us, we’re going to end up embarrassed. But, if we enter the Kingdom of Heaven clothed in garments of Jesus’ righteousness, our shame will be covered and our joy will abound.

As you enter your day, posture your hands open to receive Jesus’ covering of righteousness and then move your hands to your chest praying Jesus’ righteous as a breastplate around you. This simple practice can open you to receiving Jesus’ fresh grace for today.

By Yvonne Biel

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