Purple

"They stripped him of the purple cloak," Mark 15:20.

Why? Mainly, because the cloak was valuable and Jesus was not. As long as the gentiles found this pretender to the Jewish throne worthy of mockery, well, sure!, keep the so-called royal robe on him. But, man's might and justice has spoken: Crucify him! So, having tired of their fun, it's time to get down to the business of teaching this Jew and others like him not to mess with Roman law and order. So they kill Jesus wretchedly on Skull Hill. Friends bury his remains. The authorities seal the stone that had been rolled in front of the tomb and plant guards. Why? To pre-empt resurrection claims. It is finished.

With a brother or sister today, we mourn for our sins that hammered the nails into Jesus, we weep for the cost to him of our freedom. And, together, we return the Lord's cloak quietly, awestruck in thanksgiving for God's undying love.