4.9 Exchanging robes in the New Covenant

Earlier we said that two Hebrews can enter into a covenant by going through a very specific ceremony. One of the steps of this ceremony is the exchange of robes. For example, Jonathan took off his robe and gave it to David when they entered into covenant (1 Sam 18:4). A person’s robe signifies the person. You are symbolically saying, “All that I am I give to you.”

When we entered into covenant with God through Jesus, there was a divine exchange of robes on the cross. The robe represents the person as well as the righteousness of the person. Through Jesus, we took on God’s robe of righteousness.

(Isaiah 61:10)
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness…

In exchange, Jesus took on our garment of sin which is more like filthy rags.

(Isaiah 64:6)
But we are all like an unclean thing,
And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags…

God’s righteousness was imputed to us while our unrighteousness was carried by Jesus (Rom 4:6-8). This exchange of robes is summarized on one beautiful verse:

(2 Cor 5:21)
For He made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him [Jesus].

Today, we must see ourselves the way that God sees us. He sees us as saints, not sinners (1 Cor 1:2). We must know our new identity in Christ. Because we are righteous in Christ, we can enter boldly to God’s presence to commune with Him as His children. Through the gift of righteousness, we will reign in life (Rom 5:17). We must awaken to the reality that we are in covenant relationship with God.