Christ’s Beautiful Robe

It was a beautiful, sunny day in Bermuda, and I looked forward to providing a guided island tour in my minibus for a group of eight people.

My clients were a little late disembarking from the cruise ship, but finally I stood on the dock with six clients. Where are the other two? I wondered.

At last, a lady arrived and mentioned her husband would be along soon. She apologized for being late and said he was not feeling his best.

Farther down the pier an older gentleman, wearing a frown, walked slowly toward me and the rest of the group. As he approached the van, I reached out to assist him, as I usually do. He stepped up into the van and settled in his seat.

As we were preparing to leave, we noticed a terrible odor permeating the van. The man’s wife said, “Excuse me, but my husband needs the restroom right away.” Quickly, I drove to the restroom on the pier, which was quite a distance from the cruise ship. He shuffled out of the van and was gone for at least fifteen minutes.

It saddened me to hear his companions complain about the tour being delayed. Soon his wife returned and said her husband had not made it to the bathroom in time. He emerged from the bathroom, looking dejected. It was true.

He had not made it in time. His clothes were badly soiled, and he smelled terrible. My heart went out to him. His wife said, “He’s going back to the ship.” I looked at his appearance and thought, He can’t walk back to the ship exposed and looking like that. I grabbed a large beach towel from my van and offered it to him. To my amazement, he said, “I don’t want it.” I offered again, and he refused my offer once more.

Then he turned and slowly made his way down the pier, his soiled, smelly clothes visible to all. As I watched him trudge away, my heart hurt for him.

I could not believe he had refused to cover up with the towel I had offered. At that moment God placed a thought in my mind. His heart hurts for His children when He offers to cover us with His beautiful robe of righteousness, and we refuse.

Our righteousness is as soiled rags.

Friends, let us not refuse His offer! Thank Him today and accept His covering.

Julie Richardson