There’s a saying that the clothing makes the
man. While that’s not completely true,
how people dress definitely communicates (rightly or wrongly) something about
the individual.
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| An artist's rendition of the High Priest. |
Exodus 28 focuses entirely on the clothes
priests were to wear in their service to the Lord. God said that these holy garments were for
glory and for beauty. And they must have
been beautiful. Bright colors, beautiful
cloth, gold and jewels were all part of their uniform. It was all made with great skill and with the
finest materials.
Those words, “for glory and for beauty,” are
important here. When Hebrews wanted to
emphasize things they often did it by repeating the idea in different
words. That’s what God is doing
here. Glory and beauty (the word can
also be translated splendor, honor, or even glory) are similar concepts. The clothing the priest wore communicated
that these priests didn’t serve just any god.
They served the Lord of Heaven and Earth, YHWH – the Great I Am. He is so marvelous and majestic that even his
servants are dressed in the finest of clothing with magnificent ornaments.
Today we tend to be much more informal, and
sometimes I think that’s a shame.
In truth, there is nothing wrong with the
pastor wearing casual clothes as he leads worship. This falls into the area of personal freedom,
as long as his garb does not distract from the message of Christ crucified,
risen, ascended and coming again.
Yet, there is also something good and right
about the pastor wearing the black shirt, which represents sin, with the white
collar, reminding him and the hearers that the Word he is to proclaim are the
words of light and life. I like the
imagery behind the classical clergy shirt with the white square right over the
pastor’s throat; symbolizing the door to Jesus’ empty tomb, which is the
message of salvation!
These days, many pastors who dress
liturgically wear albs – long flowing white robes - symbolizing the garment of
salvation, being dressed in Jesus’ righteousness. It is meant to cover him up, because what
happens in worship is not about the pastor, but about Jesus whom He represents
in speaking the words of forgiveness, and whom he presents as he preaches and
teaches.
Pastors often wear a large cross which hangs
down over his heart, proclaiming that he too has been saved by Christ the
Crucified. He stands as a sinner with
the congregation, in need of the very forgiveness he proclaims in Jesus’ name.
There are also stoles that the pastor wears
in different colors for the different seasons of the church year. Blue for Advent reminds us that Jesus is our
King. White for Christmas, Easter,
Trinity Sunday and All Saints Day celebrates God’s holiness in Himself, and
given to those who die in faith. Green
in Epiphany and the Pentecost Season symbolizes the life of Christ and the
growth of God’s people. Purple for Lent
proclaims Jesus to be the King who suffers for our sins. Red at Pentecost, saint’s days, Reformation,
and Confirmation brings the tongues of flame to mind when God poured out His
Holy Spirit, and those days focus on the Spirit’s Work.
Ultimately we are all dressed for worship,
standing before God clothed in Christ as the redeemed.
Lord God, help me to see your beauty and glory in worship as you forgive me
for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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