PASTOR’S CORNER

Putting on the Cloak of Jesus

   You wear a coat to go out in the winter.  You wear a hat and sunscreen on a hot summer day.  You use an umbrella or wear a raincoat to protect yourself from the rain.  There are so many garments and so much equipment, like safety goggles, that you can use to protect yourself.  Locks on doors and windows to protect against intruders, seat belts in cars, heavy work gloves and boots.

   God provided us with laws to follow to help us live a life in Him.  Jesus gave us salvation from permanent death.  When we put on the cloak of Jesus, the full armor of God, we are proclaiming Jesus the risen Lord.  We are bathed in a shield of His love, and covered with showers of His blessings.  He has given us confidence to walk in His faith in us and our faith in Him.

    My recent issue of 60 Days of Prayer had the Lorica of Saint Patrick.  Pretty fitting, since this week is Saint Patrick’s Day.  It describes perfectly the putting on the cloak of Jesus.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, 

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in the eye that sees me,

Christ in the ear that hears me,

I arise today

Through the mighty strength

Of the Lord of creation.

Not only do we want Christ Jesus with us, we want others to see Him in us.  In Ephesians 6:11-17, the apostle Paul talks about putting on the full armor of God.

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.

Stand therefore having your loins gird about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

The cloak of Jesus in faith covers everything we need.  Amen.

Blessings

Kathy