“I was naked and you clothed Me “ – Matt. 25:36a
Beloved, inheriting the Kingdom is a process that starts now in this life and is consummated in future. This is why it takes practical steps that can be engaged in now, like clothing the naked, to enjoy the Kingdom in future. You know, there is great joy ‘like no other’ when you are able to clothe the naked and enhance their dignity as people made in the image of God.
Clothing the biological brethren of the Lord Jesus
My friend our Lord Jesus came on earth in the flesh. And so He still has physical ‘siblings’ or relatives on earth – 1 Jn. 4:1-6.
Yes, it is false prophets who deny today the physical aspect of our Lord Jesus. They spiritualize everything about Him and His Kingdom-life that He led on earth for us to follow. Such prophets have no secular lives but only live in the ‘spirit’. And they want you to understand every issue of your life as caused by something spiritual when just a change of attitude and outlook on life would solve that situation.
You know, these false prophets operate and speak under the religious world system. And they want Kingdom-life to be limited to the spiritual only leaving the physical or secular to unbelievers.
Jesus our example
But beloved, whilst on earth, our Lord Jesus Christ took responsibility for the care of His biological mother. He did this publicly by entrusting her to Apostle John when He was dying on the Cross. In the same vein, our Jesus has the physical care of His ‘siblings’in mind even now, because He does not change – Heb. 13:8.
The spiritual dimension of clothing
Clothing has to do with identity. In order words, we should help the physical brethren of our Lord Jesus (who are the Israelites) to get their lost identity back.
This is essential for them because, over the years, they have been scattered all over the world. And so some have had their identity as Israelites compromised in the Diaspora. Therefore as Jesus’ believers, we are to assist as many as desires to go back to their Holy Land to gain their identity back – Jer. 23:5-8.
Grace and Law
Again, clothing speaks of grace. You know, during the first time clothing was mentioned in the Bible, it had to do with the display of God’s grace – Gen. 3:21. This was when God clothed our first parents with animal skin, even when they had disobeyed Him and so were naked.
Yes, beloved, grace is still getting the good things that you do not deserve because of the death of our dearest Lord Jesus on the Cross. You know, with His Death we are clothed with Him Who is the righteousness of God – 2 Cor. 5:21. Hallelujah!
Please understand that it is because of our receiving mercy that part of Israel was made blind to Jesus and His grace, thus still staying with the Law of Moses. Now, through our grace or mercy, God wants Jesus’ literal brethren to receive His mercy or grace– Rom. 11:30-32,
“For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so, these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you, they also may obtain mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.”
Mercy and grace
You know, mercy and grace are two sides of the same coin.
Mercy is not getting the bad things you deserve and grace is getting the good things that you do not deserve. So in practical life, they are ‘the same’.
Beloved child of God, through the mercy we received from God, we are the vessels of mercy that God wants to use to impart His mercy to His brethren.
Wow! How humbling?
Give what you have abundantly received
You know, you can only give what you have. So, once God has given us mercy, we are the ones to pray that all people of Israel receive God’s mercy and grace.
And, we are to show literal mercy to them in all their mistakes and short-comings as individual and as a nation. Please understand that the reason why God showed gentiles great mercy is for us to be very merciful to Jesus’ earthly siblings.
Yes, they may deserve something bad, but for the sake of God’s future House to be in Israel, we should show God’s unsearchable mercy to them – Ps. 122:
Indeed their spiritual salvation was sacrificed for us to be saved. For this reason, Jesus’ believers must not be proud and judgemental towards them, but to be humble and merciful to them – Rom. 11:16-21.
Please understand that “concerning the gospel (of Jesus) they are enemies (of God and of gentiles) for your sake, but concerning the election (of God) they are beloved (of
God) for the sake of the fathers (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob). For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.” – Rom. 11:28-29. (Emphasis mine)
The physical dimension of clothing
Beloved, clothing is for the physical body; both to keep it protected from the elements and for the physical beautification of it. The High priest Garments which was not even shown to humans, was to be for glory and beauty, not just for covering– Ex. 28:2, 40.
This is why providing clothing for the least of Jesus siblings and for all mankind is to restore the dignity and even the beauty of humans.
Non-traditional clothing
Beloved, clothing for the naked even includes descent vehicles like cars and buildings. These qualify under our understanding of clothing because it also covers or protects the naked human body from the elements like the wind, sun, rain, snow etc.
Thus, in order to enjoy the Kingdom of God now for the future, Jesus’ believers need to invest in clothing for those who are destitute of it.
Used or unused clothing
Now, whether the clothing is used or unused is beside the point. They should just be within your means to warrant giving it to people as to the Lord Jesus Christ our Lover – Eph. 6:6-7; Col. 3:23-24. Again, whether the clothing are sold or gifted is beside the point. It should reach the naked for their covering and for glory or beauty by all means.
Furthermore, whether you are in the chain of the production of the ‘clothing’ or you buy and get it to the naked is also beside the point. They should just have it to cover their nakedness through your efforts, doing it as to our Lord Jesus.
