Romans 13:14—Rather clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
A tabard is a tunic, a garment much like a cape that was worn by a knight over his armor. Emblazoned on the tabard was the knight’s coat of arms. A similar garment was worn by a herald also bearing his lord’s coat of arms.
Today this middle–aged tradition still lingers. Soldiers wear a cloth patch on the left upper arm of their uniform identifying the organization in which they serve. But it is not just soldiers who bear tabard-like markings. Many people wear a cross on a necklace, or cloth bracelets marked with the initials WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?). The original purpose in wearing a cross was to enable others to see that the wearer was a Christian—someone committed by faith to following Jesus Christ.
Perhaps it would be a good thing if tabards came back into style. We would have to be more careful about what we said and did if we walked out of our homes each day as heralds wearing the coat of arms of the Son of God. There is no greater honor or privilege than to be identified with the King of Kings, the One Who came to earth and lived a sinless life. He allowed Himself to be slaughtered as an innocent Lamb to save guilty wolves. He conquered death as a roaring Lion. He sits at the right hand of God—the greatest position of honor—our Champion and Messiah. What greater symbol of love could we wear than the cross? What deeper promise could we make than to serve Him and strive to be holy?
I have no right to wear God’s tabard. I am completely unworthy to be clothed in His colors. Yet this cloth He invites me to wear is woven with the fabric of grace stitched together by unbreakable threads of mercy. The One I serve forgave my sin, embraced me in love and invited me to put on His luminescent tunic of power. When I march with Him, wearing His coat of arms, I go, knowing there is no opponent in existence capable of defeating Him. I go, believing that only He is able to save people from the penalty of sin. I go, committed to the task of making Him known to a world desperate for a Savior. I go, encouraged by the truth that He has changed me, given me purpose in life and joy in living. Therefore, when people see me, they should see Him. This is what it means to be identified with Christ!
Inspiration
The proof that I have been through crucifixion with Jesus is that I have a decided likeness to Him.—Oswald Chambers in My Utmost For His Highest
