Now that the Easter celebrations have been folded up for another year, just like the linen grave clothes that Jesus left behind at the tomb, I feel we tend to look forward to December and move on to the Christmas story far too quickly, missing the impact and significance that’s found in the naked truth of the cross. 

Clothes not only hide our nakedness, but they also reveal our identity. The soldiers who cast lots for Jesus’ clothes as He hung naked and dying on the cross, reveal so much more to us than first meets the reading eye. Understanding the naked truth of what started the egg rolling in the easter story, we need to go right back to the beginning. We need to open the gate to the Garden of Eden once again where we will find Adam and Eve hiding from God because the realisation of falling for the serpent’s lies, has set in motion their nakedness and exposed them to the darkness of sin. 

‘God called out to the Man: “Where are you?” He said, “I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid.” God said, “Who told you you were naked?” (Genesis 3:9-11 MSG) Satan had stripped Adam of everything and left him exposed and uncovered from God’s protection. Now the shame of what he’d done left him naked and hiding in the shadows. 

God is asking you the same question, dear friend, “Who told you you were naked?” Naked from the protection of God’s hand because of your sin and shameful mistakes. The pain of those memories swirling around in your mind like daggers piercing right into the heart of your faith. The lies and accusations that tell you, yes, you are wounded, and broken and abandoned and crushed. Just like Jesus struggled through the pain on that fateful day at Golgotha, you too have Satan’s soldiers surround you like a pack of wild dogs, ready to cast lots over your righteous, white clothing while you hang your head in the naked truth that you are indeed a dirty, rotten sinner. Stealing, killing and destroying any glimmer of grace and hope that purchased the white garment that covers and clothes your shameful Adam-nakedness. (Revelation 3:18 TPT) 

‘Now when the soldiers crucified Jesus, they divided up his clothes into four shares, one for each of them. But his tunic was seamless, woven from the top to the bottom as a single garment.’ (John 19:23 TPT) Jesus’ seamless tunic, a coat of arms representing His holiness and righteousness, a hallmark seal that showed Satan our nakedness from the Garden had been covered by Jesus’ shed blood once and for all. 

That meddling rabble-rouser whose name is “the accuser” may have whispered that you have been left naked by Him because of your mistakes, but the truth is you have not. Not by a long shot. Because like Jesus, the soldiers may have stripped the earthly clothes from your back, however, it’s not them that you’re fighting. The naked truth is that through the wounding and suffering on the cross, Jesus forged and fashioned together every single piece of armour that would defeat Satan, and now He has given that armour to you. ‘Put on the full armour of God to protect yourselves from the devil and his evil schemes. We’re not waging war against enemies of flesh and blood alone. No, this fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places.’ (Ephesians 6:10-12 The Voice)    

Your identity and authority come from the power of the easter resurrection where each piece of defensive clothing that’s found in Ephesians chapter 6, was forged as Jesus battled Satan for your soul at the cross. The naked truth is that you are completely covered and clothed with God’s anointing (Galatians 3:27 TPT) so you can tell that slithering serpent to go take a hike!

Wendy xo 

When have you been accused by Satan that you’re naked? Remind him that you have been given God’s complete armour and you’re not afraid to use it!