Clothes 1

So what does scripture say about clothes? This may seem a trivial topic but I’m following a string from my “Reverence” post which was derived from concerns about how people dress at church.

Here are the first couple of New Testament references (not in exact order):

Matt. 3:4
4John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

Matt. 11:7 - 9
7As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. 9Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

These two sections of scripture are references to John the Baptist. Now I’m not sure the quality of camel hair clothes but my impression has always been that this is a fairly rough cloth. Matthew 11 confirms that he wasn’t a finely dressed man, yet Jesus had a very high opinion of John: he was “more than a prophet”. Jesus also stated of John, “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist."

Apparently, John didn’t have to dress to impress. His clothing wasn’t taken as a sign of irreverence. In fact Jesus’ comment that “…those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces” was a knock of the wealthy and powerful. Jesus is stating that fine clothing doesn’t make a person important or more reverent. Fine clothing was the attire of the leaders of this world whereas God’s servant was a wearer of common clothing. John was commended for his zeal and faith in God – his clothing selection didn’t seem to fit into God’s opinion. Can that relate to what we wear during services or other church-sponsored events?