The Scarlet Robe
[Words in bold and underlined are added for emphasis].
Just prior to the Lord Jesus Christ being crucified, we read these words – “… the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.” (Matthew 27:27-31)
Scarlet is a reference to our sins – “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
A scarlet robe was placed on the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a picture of him taking upon himself our sins – “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,…” (1 Peter 2:24).
He allowed himself to be mocked. He wore that scarlet robe as our substitute so we could be clothed in the robe of righteousness. – “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorned herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10)
We remember the prodigal son when he returned after spending all his inheritance with “riotous living” – “And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” (Luke 15:21-24)
So, we thank God for sending His Son to die on the cross for our sins, that we may be redeemed and be given eternal life. We thank the Lord Himself for his humility – the spitting, the mocking, the buffeting, being struck with the palms of their hands, the scourging … allowing the very people he created to nail him to the cross, to crucify him. And then, while hanging on that cross, God poured out his wrath against sin during those three dark hours upon His beloved Son. He did all this, and more, for you and me.
“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 7:9-12)
White speaks of purity. The Lord Jesus took on that “scarlet robe” so we could wear the “best robe’” a “white robe,” a “robe of righteousness.”
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” (Revelation 5:12-13)