Living Stones – Thursday, January 18, 2018
Outer clothing
Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Clothing has always been a big issue in religion and for those of us in the Judeo-Christian tradition it has been no different. In fact, when the priesthood was established God took a lot of time to outline what the priestly garments were going to be and how they were going to be worn. We see this in Exodus 28:2, “And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.” Garments for clothing and beauty in the priesthood have remained ever since in one form or another.
Over time, others like prophets developed a dress code. Elijah favoured a mantle, “So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”” 1 Kings 19:13. Many of the Old Testament prophets were wearing a hairy cloak made from animal skins.
Jesus, in our passage Matthew 7:15-20, made reference to sheep’s clothing. There was, and still is in some parts of the world, a practice for shepherds who are out with the flock to make themselves a garment from the skin and wool of sheep. Jesus combined the imagery and practice of the shepherd and the traditions of the prophets and priests to give us a warning about judging ministers by outer garments and trappings.
Interestingly, the apostles had no dress code and the idea of a particular dress for ministers was never raised in the pages of the books in the New Testament canon of scripture. Nevertheless, fancy dress has always been creeping back into the church. The Eastern Orthodox, Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and some other groups wear vestments and other clerical garments. Some for their services and others for regular and routine activity.
Over the centuries there have been many battles fought over the use of vestments and clerical wear by ministers of the Gospel. The period of the Reformation was one such time when there were major controversies over whether ministers should wear special clothing or not. Many insisted that these requirements were issues left back by Judaism and characteristic of Roman Catholicism, which had no biblical basis for us Christians since they were taught or used in the early Christian church.
Today, vestments are back with a bang. Evangelicals and Pentecostals are donning cassocks and surplices and are adding more and more accessories to their dress for ministry. I am not intending to condemn or criticize the use of vestments and clerical clothing even though I see no basis for this in the teachings of the New Testament. I do recognise that in some places it is a part of tradition and culture. I have friends and colleagues who wear them, and though I am bemused when I see them I am ok once the clothing doesn’t distract from the Gospel presentation.
The real problem of vestments and clerical clothing though is the often-associated deception and abuse. Vestments have long been used as a cover for activities that have destroyed the lives of the vulnerable and the unsuspecting. Some will argue that you could deceive someone wearing a grey pinstriped suit or lawyers robe. That is very true and happens every day, however, the particular calling of Ministers of the Gospel makes deception, by those in vestments, of a different order of magnitude.
Jesus warned about the deception that had started since Old Testament times. The sons of Eli are an example of how the minister’s office is used in deception and abuse. “Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.” 1 Samuel 2:22. The sons of Samuel, were bad examples too, “But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.” 1 Samuel 8:3.
Jeremiah, challenged the false prophets who said, “Peace, peace, when there is no peace” Jeremiah 6:14, and Ezekiel introduced the wolf description for those ministers who deceive, “Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord had not spoken.” Ezekiel 22:27. And Zephaniah said, “Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people; Her priests have polluted the sanctuary; They have done violence to the law.” Zephaniah 3:4.
Jesus, in His rant against the Scribes and Pharisees, recorded by Matthew, attacks the way the outer clothing was used in the deception and abuse of God’s people, “But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.” Matthew 23:5.
The vestments give us a context, but today, the acts of deception and abuse are being perpetrated by those in the office of Gospel Minister whether the person wears vestments or a jeans and t-shirt. The warnings from Jesus challenge us to remain vigilant, we must guard ourselves, and we must guard the vulnerable and the unsuspecting from the well-decorated wolves in our midst.
Think on these things:
- Do you give more respect to ministers who wear robes than you give to ministers who dress down?
- Do you tend to make judgements about minister’s character based on their appearance?
- Have you ever felt pressured to give money or other favours to ministers personally?
- Have you ever been asked by a minister to do anything that had to be kept secret?
Prayer focus:
Let us pray today that we would be able to recognise false teachers and not be deceived by their outward appearance.
In His Grace
Pastor Alex