Uniforms were required in the Christian school that my boys attended. They looked smart in their navy-blue dress pants and vests, crisp white shirts, navy socks, and black shoes. School uniforms were part of their training to grow in the character of the Lord Jesus Christ. With everyone neat and tidy and dressed in the same way, students could focus on their school work without the distraction of competing with each other in the clothes that they wore. A teacher-colleague of mine told me that if students appeared at school without a uniform or part of a uniform, she would send them home to wait until the laundry was done. This was feasible, as the school was on a Bible college campus where the children's parents attended, and where many of us lived.

Women used to wear hats to church. I don't think any woman would be turned away for not wearing a hat in those days, but not wearing a hat just wasn't done. I remember how special it was one Easter when my mother bought me a beautiful straw hat to wear to the family service.

Several places in the Bible mention inappropriate attire.

Matthew 22:11-12 – But when the king came in to see the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed [appropriately] in wedding clothes, and he said, "Friend, how did you come in here without wearing the wedding clothes [that were provided for you]?" And the man was speechless and without excuse. (AMP)

Matthew 27:27-31 – Some of the governor's soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, "Hail! King of the Jews!" And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. (NLT)

Jesus endured the total shame and humiliation of being stripped for all to see, being mocked, and suffering a cruel death on the cross, as payment for our sins. As believers, we trade the dirty rags of our unrighteousness for the robe of His righteousness, the wedding garment that He has provided for us, appropriate for the marriage supper of the Lamb. What a reason for joy at this Easter season!

Isaiah 61:10 – I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels. (NLT)

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for providing us with the appropriate clothing to wear — the robe of Your righteousness — so that we may attend the wedding feast to which You have so graciously invited us. Thank You for enduring humiliation for us, so that we can be part of Your kingdom forever! In Your precious name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Alice Burnett <terrencera.burnett@gmail.com>
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
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