²³ When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. ²⁴ So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill what the scripture says, “They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.” John 19:23-24

A criminal of the Roman government was escorted to the place of execution by a quaternion – a group of four soldiers. One of the benefits for the soldiers was the collection of the clothes of the victim. Every Jew wore five articles of apparel–his shoes, his turban, his girdle, his tunic, and his outer robe. There were four soldiers, and there were five pieces of clothing. As such, they gambled for them, each getting his pick and the inner tunic was left. It was seamless, woven all in one piece. To have it cut into four pieces would have been to render it useless, and so they gambled again to see who would possess it.

Something to consider in this vivid picture is this — the soldiers were gamblers; and in a sense, so was Jesus. He staked everything on his utter fidelity to G-d; he staked everything on the Cross. This was his last and greatest appeal to us all; his last and greatest act of obedience towards G-d. We too are called to stake everything on our faith in Jesus Christ – and to be willing to die for that obedience.

Pastor Dave