Dress for the Occasion

It seems that people must dress for the occasion. Many preachers and priests wear elaborate costumes or fancy suits. Even fundamentalist preachers believe that for church, we should "wear our best". Like beauty, which is in the eye of the beholder, "our best" is in the values of each person. One of the elderly ladies in my church said, "I believe we should wear our best to church." That was her opinion, but that's all it was.  The "best" of some are blue-jeans and a polo shirt. They are blessed. As a child I was lucky to even have the bare minimum. Poverty keeps some from church because they don't seem to fit in. I intentionally dress down so that others will feel more comfortable in church.

The most famous "emcee" of all times wore a suit made from tent material. In modern times that same material is walked upon as backing for carpet. This emcee wasn't elite himself, but was divinely picked to introduce the most famous Act who ever lived. Ladies and gentlemen, he introduced Jesus Christ to the world! God picked an aesthetic living man to present the "Greatest Show on earth"!

Matthew 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan...

John the Baptist, the one whom Baptists claim succession, wore camel-hair clothing. His gown, tied by a leather belt, was the color of soil - light brown, and was roughly woven from the course outer hairs of the Batrian camel. Look at the photo below. That which is hanging was likely what John wore as a garment! It was his best because God directed him to dress that way!

Batrian Camel (Wikipedia)

 Now, some of the more fundamental Baptists preach that Christians wear their best to church. I often laugh as our layman, when invited to preach, put on their "preacher suits". They spit-shine their shoes, get a fresh hair-cut, and wear their best and fanciest suits. One young preacher was admonished by his mentor: I never want to see you ever preach without a suit and tie! That is legalism to do so because men ask, but obedience if one is convicted to do so. The Pharisees and Sadducees were noted for their priestly looks, whereas the Essenes,which John surely was, was noted for their simplicity in modest living and dress.

Of course, "dressing for church" means modesty which includes appropriate covering and things not self-indulgent. John dressed meekly and modestly. The focus was to be on the King not the servant, and Jesus was the King!

Jesus dressed simply himself, likely wearing the attire of the common man. Standing beside the well-dressed Sanhedrin, Jesus would have looked like no one of importance. He was noted for that. Imagine if you will, Jesus standing in the midst of Cardinal Law or even Joel Osteen! Need I make a stronger point?