Let Us Put on the Clothes of Christ

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23; Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 12:13-21

It was about 20 years ago that I learned a song that the texts today bring to mind. Since we already have a hymn of the day – that we’re going to sing all month – I decided to use it during the sermon. We’ll sing the refrain at several points in the sermon. 

 Let us put on the clothes of Christ / and live as equals with everyone. / Let us put on the clothes of Christ/ and reunite the family of God. [Credit: Brett Hesla]

The Teacher who wrote Ecclesiastes is thought to be Solomon, but scholars say there is no proof of that. In Hebrew, the book is called Qoheleth, the word for preacher or teacher, so let’s call him that.

Qoheleth is having a late-in-life crisis. Who is he now, has his life been worth anything? He has wealth and power, but what does that mean now? He is thought to be wise, but what does wisdom get him now? It’s all mist or vapor, here for a moment and gone forever.

Qoheleth has worked hard to lead the kingdom. Soon, someone else will follow him, and probably change everything. He has worked hard to obtain stuff. What is it worth now? He can’t take it with him. He is beginning to understand that human endeavors are not as fulfilling as he would have wished, and a different kind of life would have been preferable.

Maybe he didn’t need the royal palaces, the thousands of staff and laborers, the wars to gain land and power over his enemies, and the garments made of purple cloth and gold trim. Maybe all he needed was the relationship with God that King David had.

 Let us put on the clothes of Christ / and live as equals with everyone. / Let us put on the clothes of Christ/ and reunite the family of God.

In the Gospel reading, a rich man approaches Jesus. He tries to triangle him into a discussion with his brother about their shared inheritance. Jesus flatly refuses, then tells a story.

A rich man has benefitted from good harvests and accumulated more grain than he can possibly store in his present silos. So, he makes a plan to build another silo, but instead of reveling in the abundance, his life ends suddenly, today. Jesus then gives us the “Moral of the story.” Don’t be greedy, instead be rich toward God.

Let us put on the clothes of Christ / and live as equals with everyone. / Let us put on the clothes of Christ/ and reunite the family of God.

The author of Colossians, who may be Paul or someone writing in his name, makes plain what Jesus and Kohelet were saying. Following Jesus the Christ is the most important thing in your life. And here are some specifics about how to do that.

Essentially, Paul tells us to change how we live in the same way we change our clothes. Take off old habits and put on new habits that focus on living as a baptized child of God. Give up unhealthy sexual practices, give up greed, give up anger and slander and abusive language. Tell the truth, not lies.

Especially, recognize that Jesus welcomes all. The familiar ways of dividing people into groups is out. All are welcome in Jesus’ love.

 Let us put on the clothes of Christ / and live as equals with everyone. / Let us put on the clothes of Christ/ and reunite the family of God.

We could use the list of don’ts in Colossians to shape our lives. When we think of it, the list parallels the Ten Commandments, the portion that tells us how to respect and love each other.

You may have a story about yourself or someone else who’s life changed when they committed their life to Jesus. Sometimes, that commitment happens suddenly; sometimes, it’s a slow process. Either way, when we commit our lives to Jesus, it should be evident to others.

Next week, August 11 is the day we honor St Clare of Assisi, so it’s a good time to talk about how her life changed when she heard Francis preach about Jesus. Francis was the son of a cloth merchant, wealthy enough to be thought of today as upper middle class. He tried going to war, twice, and failed, twice. Finally, he heard God’s message: Francis, rebuild my church. Once he understood that the rebuilding was not about buildings but about people, he began preaching about depending 100% on God for whatever we need.

Clare was from an upper-class family, on the verge of marrying the son from another upper-class family. She heard Francis preach and her life changed. She determined to give up the fancy clothes, the multi-room mansion, the seven-course meals. She joined Francis and the several men who were already following him.

Her hair, considered a woman’s pride and beauty, was cut off, and Clare went to live in a Benedictine monastery until Francis could find a better place for her. Eventually, Clare and several other women lived in a small monastery, slept on the floor, and lived on the food they could grow in their garden and what the local people would donate to them.

Her commitment to following Jesus led her to use her skills as a writer to create some beautiful images of our relationship with God. My favorite is this one:  Place your mind before the mirror of eternity, and your soul in the brilliance of [God’s] glory.

If we remember that we are created in the image of God, children of God, heirs of God’s glory, it may help us put on the clothing of a renewed, changed life.  Amen

  Let us put on the clothes of Christ / and live as equals with everyone. / Let us put on the clothes of Christ/ and reunite the family of God.