Devotion

Is there a dress code in heaven? According to the parable in Matthew 22 there is.

At the 2001 VH1 fashion awards, Heather Locklear was asked to be the Master of Ceremonies. She was leaning towards declining until she found out that Vogue would provide clothes for her to wear, and whatever she wore she could keep. She then decided that she would change clothes as often as possible. She wore many different outfits, displayed the top fashions, and kept thousands of dollars worth of clothes, so much so that it forced the show over budget.

Fashion is a powerful entity these days. From the tiniest of babies to the oldest of adults, brand names represent power, acceptance, worth, value, and prestige. Top brand names have created an influence that tell others, "If you don't wear it, you're not in".

Jesus' parable tells us that heaven will be somewhat similar. (emphasis on somewhat) When God invites us to heaven, those that come must be properly dressed. The proper attire, however, is not anything that we can provide for ourselves. The clothes are provided for us. Anyone who refuses to wear these clothes will not be allowed in, and anyone found inside that has taken off these clothes will be kicked out.

So what are these special clothes? Ga 3:27 "for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." God's dress code is the robe of righteousness that comes from Christ. These clothes come not from what we can do for ourselves, but from what Christ has done for us. The forgiveness that we receive through his death and resurrection allow us to wear the most popular name ever. It is provided for us, and when we wear it we are accepted, saved, and share in the wealth of the empire.

William Hiskey

Director of Youth Ministries, First English Lutheran, Spencer, IA

Updated: 10-15-02