Long Robes of Leisure

When I began this adventure into Bible study, I wondered how many references to cloth there were in scriptures and the volume has amazed me...

Some are positive and some are negative. Today's verses are the later. Luke 20:46. Love those verses that start with the words BEWARE OF...

“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets...”

Is Christ condemning long robes? Every picture we see depicting him, he is wearing a long robe. In Rev 1, he is wearing a long robe. Song of Solomon describes him having alabaster, or white legs, which meant they were covered by a robe. Obviously, the robe was not the issue...it was what it represented and the priviledges that it awarded them. It was putting on a show of religion when in the next verse it told of them not acting in anything but self-interest and self-importance.

When we see pictures of Peter fishing, he was wrapped only in his loin cloth, and had to put his outer robe on to go to shore. One cannot fish with cumbersome clothing on. Roman soldiers had their little skirts and leg guards, but one doesn't fight in long robes. Jesus removed his robe and washed the disciple's feet...so servants did not wear long robes to serve. Maybe we have gotten the wrong image of the clothing of ancient days. The togas of Rome were often short, the skirts of Egypt were above the knees. The belts were often used to raise the skirts up for men to run. To wear a long robe meant that none of these things were happening. It was a leisurely life...not a physically active one. It was the equivalent of the three-piece suit. You wouldn't ask the man dressed in that to help push the car off the side of the road or change your tire...you'd pick the guy in jeans and a t-shirt. These guys knew that if they dressed the role of important people, they would be treated that way. They weren't scribes and priests to love the Lord God and serve Him only, they were in it for the prestige.

I come from a Bible-based, non-denominational background where if you would meet my minister on the street, you wouldn't know he was one. Many other denominations have the clergy “uniform”, the black robe or the white collar, or nun's habits, etc. You can tell by looking at their clothing that they are in the ministry. And that is power. Not that I care that they wear them, and I don't. But people treat them differently. They will be treated better or worse for having that identity. People will honor them and give them deference...giving them better seats, letting them go ahead in line, or just not swearing or telling coarse jokes in their presence. Or they will mock and scorn them, challenge and hate them. They represent authority and truth and some people hate that idea. And the type of “work” you can do in them is restricted by them. The priests were told what to wear from the beginning of temple worship, so that is fine...but they were not worn away from temple service. They were Holy unto the Lord.

But these fellows were in it for all of the wrong reasons. Jesus accused them of piling on the load and never helping anyone bear it...they were dressed to not work, but to be lords and masters and bosses. They wanted to be treated like they were better, more spiritual, and more worthy than the average Joe. I often find the choices Jesus made in disciples amusing...sweaty fishermen, hard-working average guys, for the most part. Matthew (Levi) was the exception to that rule, just to prove that the wealthy could be redeemed, but not in as great of numbers. I don't think Jesus wore long robes as a carpenter. He sweated it out with his dad making furniture, carts and wagons and wheels and buckets...whatever the wood could do best. He was not afraid of work, and didn't run around in long robes to attract the attention and respect of the people around him. And yet they came. Isaiah tells us there was nothing attractive about him...nothing that would make people look and go – WOW! Look at that guy! He must be the Son of God because He looks like a religious guy, a royal son, or a glowing angel. He was so normal that the scribes hated him getting all of that attention. They were being shown up and their long robes did not impress any longer. They questioned his authority because he was not one of them...he hadn't stayed in their seminary and graduated with the degree and donned the robe of spiritual knowledge and privilege. He was not to be honored for his spiritual insight and healing love.

But they had earned it...earned the robes of privilege and ease and respectability and honor. But they were sadly mistaken.

Are we willing to gird up our robes and get to work for the kingdom, or do we expect honor here on earth for following Christ? Is our priority to serve or to be served, to show honor or to be honored? Does our position in Christ come in the form of robes of self-importance or of service? Sometimes we expect the world to treat us better because we name the name of Christ and are offended when they act like Jesus said they would...angry and resentful. We try to use our religion to make our lives better instead of using it to serve. We make the same mistake the scribes did. May the world be drawn to us like they were drawn to Him...by what came out of His heart, and not how He clothed himself...always expecting to do the work of the Father and not being honored in this life, but in the life to come.