True Hope and a Future: DOES CLOTHING MATTER?

DOES CLOTHING MATTER?

Posted by Lisa Lewis Koster - - 2 comments

I attended elementary school with a set of twins who had a sister just a grade behind us, and it was not unusual for the three of them to dress alike. I can still picture their yellow floral print dresses accessorized with blue vests that laced up the front, and best of all, red fashion boots!

Ah, fashion boots. Growing up, EVERYONE had fashion boots. Well, everyone except me...though it wasn't for lack of asking on my part. But alas, I'm living proof that it is possible to survive childhood without fashion boots.

I wasn't even scarred for life, though at the time I was sure I would be.

In fact, I'd forgotten all about the fashion boot drama until I purchased a pair of boots this winter - not so much as a fashion statement but more as a practical way to keep my feet warm.

After all, what we wear doesn't really matter anyway...or does it?

“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son... [the king] said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless.

“Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

“For many are invited, but few are chosen.” ~ Matthew 22:2, 8-14

I have to admit, until now I never really understood this parable. Why would the man be asked how he got in when he had been invited, and why would he be condemned for what he was wearing when he probably looked just the same as he had when he accepted the invitation?

I learned this parable is an allegory of the history of Israel. The king represents God which makes the king's son Jesus. Those who refused the initial invitation were the Jewish people. Since they rejected Jesus as Messiah, God opened His kingdom to everyone (including the Gentiles and "sinners.") The servants, who invited all the people they could find to attend the wedding banquet, represent the prophets and perhaps the disciples. The wedding banquet foreshadows the feast the Jewish people expected to share with the Messiah at the beginning of His rule.

Today we are God's servants, so as believers we are called to invite everyone to come to know Christ by sharing the Gospel with them. Are we faithfully fulfilling our call to invite all people into God's kingdom?

And what about the clothes?

"all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." ~ Galatians 3:27

You see, anyone who has heard the Gospel has been invited, but merely receiving the invitation to God's kingdom is not enough; we must be properly clothed and that clothing is Christ Himself.

When we enter into a personal relationship with Christ, not just knowing about Him but knowing him personally and intimately, we are covered with His righteousness. It is His righteousness, not our own, that God deems acceptable attire.

We can go through the motions, going to the right places and saying the right things, and we may be able to fool everyone - even ourselves - but we can't fool God. Those who call Jesus "Lord" but do not honor Him with repentance and true faith will be removed from God's presence for eternity.

Yes, clothing does matter!

Father, I thank you for inviting me into your kingdom. I not only accept you as my Savior, but also call you Lord, knowing full well that means you are the one in charge of my life, not me. By the power of your Holy Spirit, help me to faithfully share the invitation to your kingdom so all may come to know you.

Lisa