Isaiah 61:10-11
I will rejoice greatly in the Lord. My soul will celebrate because of my God, for he has clothed me in garments of salvation. With a robe of righteousness, he covered me, like a bridegroom who wears a beautiful headdress like a priest, and like a bride who adorns herself with her jewelry. For as the earth produces its growth, and as a garden causes what has been sown to sprout up, so God the Lord will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up in the presence of all the nations.
Applying God’s Word for today: Covered in Christ’s Righteousness
Many people have experienced the anxiety of dreaming about attending a party and realizing they forgot to get dressed. The embarrassment and desire to hide in such a moment reflect our natural fear of exposure. Similarly, our sins expose us in ways we would rather avoid. The thoughts we have about others—judgments, anger, or even sinful desires—are things we hope remain hidden. The shame we would feel if others knew our innermost thoughts reminds us how exposed our sins truly make us.
God forgives all our sins through His Son, Jesus. Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins, bearing them into Himself. Yet our sins are like any wound; the scars remain, and we remember what we’ve done, said, and thought that caused harm. Jesus not only died for our sins but also lived a perfect life for us. He has credited us with His righteousness, clothed us in His holiness, and granted us salvation. Although God has forgotten our sins, we may wonder how or why He allows us into heaven. We must remember that Jesus covered us with His holy blood in baptism. Our sins are forgiven, and we are clothed in His righteousness. By faith in Jesus, we become perfect and holy in God’s eyes—clothed in Jesus’ perfection.
Through faith, we have been brought into the Holy Christian Church and made the bride, adorned with the Spirit’s gifts and reflecting God’s love for others. We are like sprouts in God’s garden, called to share the gifts meant for everyone: forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation. We share these blessings with those who have yet to know Jesus or trust in Him.
Dear Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your pure life and innocent death. You have clothed us with salvation and dressed us in righteousness. You triumphed over sin, death, and the devil, securing our salvation. As our bridegroom, You were crowned with a headdress—the crown of thorns. This headdress will forever remind us of the pain You endured to conquer our sins. We pray for everyone reading Your Word today that their faith will grow and strengthen. Help us share these words with someone who does not yet know You, so they too may be clothed in Your garments and royal robes, and receive salvation and eternal life. Amen.
When you put your trust in Jesus, He takes away your sins and cloaks you with His holy, righteous garments. He has separated your sins from you as far as the East is from the West, and He does not remember them anymore. Jesus grants you salvation and eternal life.