28 “And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:28-30 ESV)
Having addressed the issue of anxiety over food and length of life, Jesus then spoke about anxiety over clothing. Clothing dominates many people’s thinking.
“I don’t design clothes. I design dreams.” —Ralph Lauren
“I want people to see the dress, but focus on the woman.” —Vera Wang
“Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life.” —Bill Cunningham
“I like my money right where I can see it…hanging in my closet.” —Carrie Bradshaw
Good clothing has always been a part of who I am as an individual. Perhaps it is because my family name is associated with the clothing industry. It may also be because my grandfather was an excellent tailor. It was my dad who taught me the importance of investing in a well-made suit.
Like anything else in life, clothing can become an idol. In Jesus’ day, clothing may have been less about fashion and more about daily survival. Either way, Jesus warned all believers in Christ to pay more attention to God’s provision and protection that our proliferation of pants, tops and shoes.
Jesus said Consider. To consider (καταμανθάνω katamanthanō) is an active command to observe and to learn. Jesus instructed us to observe the lilies and the grass of the fields. Using this object lesson, Jesus referred to the flowers and grass a new way.
In the Old Testament, the flowers and the grass illustrated the brevity of life (Psalm 37:1-2; 103:15-16; Isaiah 40:6-8). However, Jesus taught that the flowers and grass reflect the care and concern of Almighty God upon His creation.
“If God lavishes such care on lilies, which bloom only for a few days, and on animals, which live a few years, then how much more will He care for us,” explains commentator Daniel M. Doriani.
To be anxious about what we wear, whatever style you may prefer, is immature. It is being an individual who exhibits little faith, trust, commitment, dependence and worship of God.
“Faith is, for Matthew, a very practical reliance on the care and power of the Father and of Jesus (Matt. 8:8-10; 9:1-2, 21-22, 28-29),” states commentator R. T. France. “Anxiety is therefore the opposite, and is ruled out for the disciple.”
Therefore, as with food and the length of life, the Lord cautions us to not be anxious about clothing. Finally, “When in doubt, wear red.” —Bill Blass
Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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