The father commanded three articles to be put on his returning prodigal son: "the best robe, put on him: put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet." Each of these articles is a picture or a symbol of what God does in saving a sinner.
For times' times we win only look at one, the first: "the best robe". In the original Greek language, I'm told that there is a double emphasis: "that robe, that principle robe." This robe represents the righteousness of Christ. Isaiah 61:10) "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God: for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."
One of the first lessons that God taught our parents Adam and Eve after they sinned and disobeyed God is how a sinners' nakedness is to be covered. They tried to cover their nakedness with fig leaves, but that would not cover and allow them entrance and acceptance with God. Those fig leaves pictured works, their merit, their righteousness. The only thing that our Lord Jesus Christ ever cursed when He was here in the flesh was a fig tree. It promised fruit but gave none. Our works promise acceptance with God but cannot produce. God clothed them, covered their nakedness with coats made of the skins of animals. Animals, at that time were not allowed for food, but those animals were slain in sacrifice, in commemoration of the great sacrifice, Jesus Christ, who would be offered. The skins of the animals that were slain were placed on Adam and Eve: teaching us how that the sinners' nakedness would be covered with the righteousness of the Lamb of God.
This "best robe" represents the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jeremiah 23:6 "THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." "Jehovah tsidkenu."
Let me draw several lessons from the word "best"-- "the best robe"
Who designed this robe? God Almighty. He designed or purposed that his Son, who is one with Himself would come and as a man provide this robe.
How shall this one, the Lord Jesus Christ provide this robe? The old writers would say by both His active and His passive obedience. I'm not sure if we should try and make the distinction, but let me explain what is meant. He actively obeyed God's Holy Law. That law which commanded man "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Matthew 22:37-39.
He actively obeyed God's law perfectly, completely, fully. He passively suffered and died at the hands of that law. Isaiah 53:7 "he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her hearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." He willingly was made a curse for us.
God designed this robe to be thus made of the God-man's obedience and death. The best robe. God designed it, the righteousness of Christ.
Nothing else but the love of God could have provided this best robe. Our Lord did not come and suffer in the sinners stead to obtain the love of God, He came and died because of the love of God. I John 4:10 "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
How many times have we received something, and what really made us love it and appreciate it was that it was given out of love. How many times after a service have I seen some little child out in the field pluck a wild flower and bring it to his mother. I've never seen a mother refuse to receive it and value it, because she sees the love in that little face. Oh, if we could ever get a hold of this truth, "the love of God": how it would break these hearts of stone. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son".
The best robe. God's love provided it- the righteousness of Christ.
I know that we especially think of the blood of Christ as purchasing this robe. I Peter 1:18 and 19 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot".
The best robe. Christ's blood purchased it- the righteousness of Christ.
This is the robe that God provides, this is the robe that He accepts. We read of those in heaven, in the presence of God around the throne of God, dressed in white robes. In Revelation 19:7-8 "his wife (church ) hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." Oh, how suitable this robe is for a sinner. One that God provides and one that He accepts and accepts all of those who appear in this robe. Ephesians 1:6 "he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
The best robe, its suitableness- the righteousness of Christ.
I'd like now to ask two questions.
First, How is this Best Robe to be desired? Above everything. Philippians 3:8-9."Yea doubtless and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ and be found him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"
Second, How is this best robe to be had? By Imputation. Notice verse 9 "by faith." Look with me in Romans 4:3-6. "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungody, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works." 22-25 "And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead. Who was delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification."
Some will say: "It will lead men to sin." Romans 6:1 This truth excludes good works as a cause of our acceptance with God, but it requires good works as a proof of our having this righteousness. Ephesians 2:8-10. "For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Some will say: "The Lord Jesus did not teach this. He told the rich young ruler what he must do to earn eternal life." The truth is here was a young man trusting in his works that our Lord sent to the law to learn of how he needed a righteousness that he could not provide.
Now, I must close with this question. Do you see your need of this best robe? "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (Matt. 5:6)