Christmas Clothes

So, how many of you are wearing clothing gifts right now that you received as Christmas gifts? Right or wrong, what we wear says something about us. For example, if you have that gift item on right now, it says you really like it, or guilt has driven you to wear it even though you don't like it. It may say something regarding how you feel about the person who gave it to you. I know we'd heard it said that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Jesus-followers believe that God looks to the heart, and not to that which is presented on the exterior. Still, how we clothe ourselves can be an extension of who we are and what we want to communicate.

In the letters of a Jesus-follower called Paul there are numerous references to "clothing" as a symbol of what the world sees in us as followers of Jesus. When Paul uses phrases like, "put off...put on..." he's likely referring to the use of clothing in the experience known as baptism. In many early Christian communities persons preparing to be baptized shed their clothes as a symbol of putting off their old lives apart from Jesus. Then they were baptized naked, representing coming to Jesus with nothing, and depending fully on his grace. (I wonder if we'd have more baptisms or fewer baptisms in our church if we baptized people naked?!? Probably shouldn't think about it too much...) As those baptized arose from the water, they would have a new, clean robe put on them, representing their new life in relationship with God through Jesus the Christ.

As recorded in the Bible, (Colossians 3:12-17) Paul reminds Jesus-followers that they are holy (set apart for a special purpose) and beloved (unconditionally loved, chosen, and called.) As such, they should clothe themselves in compassion (affinity with those who suffer, as Jesus suffered for us), humility (willingness to serve, as Jesus came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life for us), gentleness (the opposite of arrogance and self-assertion, as Jesus yielded God-status to accept human form), patience (the ability to withstand insult without retaliation, as Jesus endured the cross), and, above all love (agape - self-sacrificing, God-like, other-focused love).

Amid the new clothes of Christmas, are those of us who claim Jesus wearing the clothing that matters? I'll see you around the next bend in the river.

Lynching - Revisited

On December 7 I posted that I saw what appeared to be a mock lynching portrayed in a yard alongside an area highway. Taking the same route today, I noticed that the image is gone. For a while, I ignored everything I wrote on December 7. I let myself become filled with righteous satisfaction. Obviously I was glad about the removal of this horrific reminder of one of the ugliest phenomenons in American history. I had fanciful imaginings of someone confronting the offender and forcing the dismantling of this hateful scenario. How pleased must God be with those of us ready to put a stop to this.

Then, unbidden, came a thought from the great Christian thinker and spiritual guide, Thomas Merton. He cautioned Jesus followers against assuming that our enemies are God's enemies. Yes, but whoever did this is a racist, wishing harm against his fellow human beings! So, Merton would counter, does that make him/her/them unworthy of the love of Jesus expressed in the willingness to endure the cross? No, I would have to respond. Then, no matter how fouled his/her/their heart(s) are, they are not God's enemies. They are lost children God longs to rescue.

This image came to mind, regarding all the righteous indignation I might allow myself to feel toward others, assuming that I am defending God's righteousness. When I stand before Jesus at the end of it all, do I really think Jesus is going to be impressed if the first thing I say is, "I stayed angry at those who sin against you to the very end!" I doubt it. He'll be more interested in what I did to extend his love to him/her/them.

I'll see you around the next bend in the river.