Woe unto you, lawyers! For ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in you hindered. Luke 11
Over the weekend we sorted our boy’s clothes. Too big, too small, wait for next year, give away. We were thrilled to find new outfits that had been stored away waiting for just the right time. I told my kids that on Sundays we need to dress up because the King is coming and just like we want to look good for any special guest we need to be ready for the Lord. I waxed on eloquently about washing ears, faces, elbows and standing at attention for the Lord. We have been studying royalty and the Kingdom of God. In days past I had attended a church where the ladies dressed up all fancy on Sundays and the ushers wore black and white with white gloves. They were ready and everyone was in place. I appreciated their respect for the things of God. I was hoping to pass on that reverence . My kids were having none of it . They were excited to wear the new jeans and t-shirts we had discovered. It did not go as well as I had hoped it would.
While getting ready myself I reflected on the disciple John who leaned on Jesus’ chest. Did he wear starched and fancy clothes? Scripture doesn’t say. Would Jesus rebuke him – ” young man do you dare approach me in 100% cotton? ” No. I don’t remember anyone saluting Jesus or speaking to a dress code. (The angry men at the foot of the cross seemed to greatly care about his garments). The Pharisees and priests would have had liturgical requirements for their togas . I do remember Jesus welcoming a man through a thatched roof that probably was full of wood fragments. I do remember him helping a blind man probably smelly from sitting around on a mat all day. Oozing leprous guy with a wet robe, probably freaked everyone out. Lazarus’ threads were coming unraveled and that didn’t seem to stop Jesus one bit from helping him. I doubt the tears ( Jesus wept) were from his color or season choice.
The favored disciple broke with all fashion choices donning a hairy camel garment and leather belt (John the Baptist). This was leisure wear at its best, wash and dry capable. To be biblical today shouldn’t Baptists follow suit?
Only once do we hear anything about Messiahs clothing choice – on the mount of transfiguration when his clothes were said to be “glistening white” . However, that was something the Father did for him. He covered and dressed him up real nice.
(No, this is not a Tide ad, although Tide God made him sparkling white).
I don’t know what my kids will learn from us along the way but I think I would rather have them know Jesus as friend and brother rather than just royal, regal king. While they are royalty because of their relationship with the King of all kings, they are first and foremost family and friends with Jesus. Being upset just didn’t seem like a good way to prepare our hearts for the service. They were thrilled to put on jeans to go to church and reminded me of all the people who are awesome there, that also wear jeans. I couldn’t disagree but my heart was homesick for my brothers in suits and sisters in hats who literally brought Heaven down as they summoned a glorious King. I desperately want my kids to experience that type of joy. I just had to add (in a voice that sounded very similar to June Cleavers– “as long as they are clean, now wash your faces.”
Job said he was clothed with “worms and clods of dust” (a sure fashion violation) and Isaiah said he was clothed with garments of salvation and a robe of righteousness. What do we do with the dress code of the naked prophet lying on his side? That’s got to be a bugger to explain for Sunday school teachers everywhere! I’d much rather discuss that , than what the Kardashians are wearing on the runway. I get lost in all the Diva talks but next weekend I’m going to tell my kids to “put on Christ.”
So, what is the KEY to knowledge? The lawyers got rebuked for blocking it. Was it Jesus that they blocked so no one could find their way in? Was the Door also the key as the Way is also the way In? Do we lay all things aside as we love the lord with our whole hearts, strength, minds and neighbors? Somewhere between respect and familiarity is a relationship with God. Somewhere between reverence and trust is a life lived in honor of the King. If we trade out traditions for following Jesus we will block ourselves and others. If we ignore all rituals we may end up creating our own that point away from eternity. Ouch. If God is setting up clues for pointing to the awaited Messiah, I would also hate to make up stuff that dresses up my imagination. How many things that are external do we engage in thinking it makes us holy? What practices are just preference? What or better who did God leave us to make sense of all this?
Pondering this today and wanting to bring that KEY to those opening the door… Or at the very least, not block the way in.
Does the King want us to come just as we are? Boogers, pimples, wretchedness, even sin? Once we come isn’t He fully capable of welcoming and loving? Is He hindered by anything we notice in others? I’m scarred, weary, broken… Jesus, can I still come? Just as I am? Because thy promise, I believe, oh Lamb of God, I come. Just as I am – with robes, blemishes and yes, sometimes even in jeans.
Your thoughts? This blog is for YOU. I’m hoping for those with opposing opinions to join the discussion so we can all grow and learn together. What are you seeing/feeling that we are missing? The village needs some insight – comment on!
Renae Roche 2018