“So they said, ‘Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.’ This fulfilled the Scripture that says, ‘They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.’ So that is what they did.”
John 19:24 (NLT)
As the crucifixion unfolds, John pauses to show us something small—but deeply revealing. After Jesus is lifted onto the cross, the soldiers divide His clothing. There are enough garments to share. But His outer robe—the tunic—is seamless, woven in one piece. Rather than tear it, they gamble for it.
John tells us this fulfills Psalm 22:18, another reminder that even unbelieving hands can unknowingly carry out God’s purposes. What was meant for cruelty still moved Scripture forward. God, once again, turns harm into fulfillment.
What stands out to me is this: Jesus was not wearing rags. His clothing was valuable enough to fight over. Throughout Scripture, we don’t see a Savior neglected by His Father. Jesus lived what He taught. He trusted the Father completely—and the Father provided completely.
In Matthew 6, Jesus told His disciples not to worry about food or clothing. He pointed to birds, lilies, and the faithfulness of God, then said that when we seek the kingdom first, our needs are already known and already cared for. Standing at the cross, we see that truth embodied. Jesus sought the Kingdom above all else—and even at His death, He lacked nothing.
Yet the soldiers missed Him entirely. They stood at the feet of the Son of God and argued over fabric. The Way was before them, but their eyes were fixed on temporary gain. Their hands were busy while their hearts remained blind.
Jesus was stripped so that we could be clothed. Uncovered so that we could be robed. Through His blood, we are wrapped in a seamless garment of righteousness—not torn, not earned, not divided. When we seek the Kingdom first, we are given both what we need for earth and what we need for eternity.