A couple years ago I asked for a weighted blanket for Christmas. My counselor's office had one and every time I went there I would immediately grab it and place it on my lap. The heaviness of it gave me a sense of comfort and the barrier it placed between me and my counselor made me feel safe or at least less exposed. In his sermon on Sunday, Justin talked about all the times that Jesus was swaddled in clothes. What do these swaddling clothes represent? Humble beginnings? Human limitations? Power and glory as he left them behind in the grave?

Covering myself with that same weighted blanket is just one example of the many times that I have seen my shame and brokenness and desperately desired to be covered, hidden, or washed clean. My efforts to cover my own brokenness and shame obviously fall short. I may have some outward sense of control for a moment, but inwardly my anxiety and fear build as I work to cover this shame and brokenness. Justin reminded us that we need covering for both our unrighteousness and our self-righteousness. And in these passages from Luke we heard the story of Jesus, swaddled in birth and in swaddled death, so that we might be covered in his righteousness. 

Jesus needed coverings because He took on human form, becoming vulnerable for our sake. He experienced the same stress, desires, and weaknesses of being human. The Bible tells us that because of Him we have now been given new clothes. On the cross He bore our sin and shame and gave us his righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21) and our lives are now hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3). This week, I would encourage you to think about the question Justin asked us on Sunday: What does it mean to be swaddled in the life of Jesus?

"He will cover you with his feathers, 

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."

~ Psalm 91:4

~ Taeler Larsen