My dear congregation,
“Let them wash their clothes.”
It seems a rather small thing compared to what comes next. The LORD descended in fire. The mountain shook. The sound of a trumpet blasted from atop the holy mount. A great boundary was set all around it; death awaits all who touch it.
Yet, the Lord directs their attention to their clothing? Why?
Preparation of the heart is as much real as it is symbolic. Or, should be. Taking the time to draw water, fill the vessel, plunge the garment, scrub out all the filth, hang dry in the sunshine. Every household did this outward demonstration as spiritual renewal, “Be ready against the third day.”
Our appearance often reveals what our mouth’s will not. We say an occasion matters, so we don our best, care for our appearance, and appear before the honored. We say we expect to meet the living and true God, our Creator and Savior, soon. Will we arrive unprepared? Will we confess by attending, “This time is holy”, but our appearance answer, “It doesn’t matter very much.” The truth is, a believing soul may come in tattered or untidy clothes because of poverty, sickness, or dark providence. Without question. But we are talking here about carelessness, where carefulness is possible.
“Let them wash their clothes.”
The command reaches into every part before our third day (as it were), the Lord’s Day. The washing of garments begins long before the morning of the third day. There is mercy in the time God gave them. “To day and to morrow”, He says, ample space between call and appearing.
Communion week is such a call. Christ gave us notice last week, that His Table will be spread. The days between the Form and Table, should not be left vacant. A sensitive soul will receive them as a mercy. There is time to set life in order, finish what can be finished, and let the outward appearance begin to reflect the inward frame.
“But preparing outwardly can all be for show.” How true that is. The LORD knew this, and gave the command still. “Let them wash their clothes.”
“But the LORD knows my heart.” That’s the problem. He does, you do not. “Let them wash their clothes.”
Garment care goes much deeper than how we dress for church. Preparation has a form, a body, true. But, you will notice the washed garments could only carry Israel to the foot. The boundary was set. God is most Holy. Moses must ascend the mountain and mediate, while the people stood afar off.
At the Lord’s Table we come to a better mountain and a better Mediator. We need not stand afar off. Jesus Christ has magnified the law and entered the heavenly sanctuary. He clothes His people in the garment of His salvation. He has accomplished for His bride, a cleansing which no preparation could give. Still, she makes herself ready (Rev. 19:7). So, we cleanse our outward self, because a new and living way has been opened, for poor sinners, at an unimaginable cost.
Wash! “Put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem” (Isa. 52:1). Cleanse your ways. Set all your house in order. Render praise to the LORD for all His gracious benefits. Let us “Be ready against the third day.”
Your friend and pastor,
J. Lewis