Fairytales 2
Pt. 4 - The Emperor's New Clothes
I. Introduction
These are the stories we learned as children. Either told to us by parents at bedtime or at school as we gathered at the feet of our teachers. These tales taught us life lessons and truths that we had to think through to grasp. However, unknown to many of us they also taught us significant spiritual truths! Let's look at one of these fairytales we know so well and see if we can unwrap a spiritual truth that is in it.
There once was an Emperor who loved nothing better than wearing fancy new clothes. Three times a day he would change into a brand-new royal outfit. Many Emperors spend their days talking to advisers and fixing problems of the land. Not this one! He was too busy sending out his servants to find the next great outfit to wear.
One day two strangers came to town. They said they were weavers. They said the cloth they wove was the finest anyone would ever see. But in fact, they were not weavers – they were crooks.
These fake weavers said their cloth was more beautiful than any other cloth BUT it could not be seen by just anyone. Only people who were smart and the most excellent could actually see the magic cloth. People who were not smart and not excellent – well, they would see nothing at all.
One day two strangers came to town.
Soon, word reached the Emperor about these two weavers and their fine cloth. He thought, “I am the most smart and the most excellent Emperor! Anyone can tell by how grand I always look! I do not need to worry about that silly magic.”
So, the Emperor went to see the two weavers. These clever crooks ran about their shop, pointing at empty corners and tables. They said with pride, “Look at these piles of fine cloth! Surely you have never seen colors as bright as these, patterns as beautiful!” The Emperor could not understand – he did not see any cloth, anywhere!
The Emperor thought, “I cannot let anyone know that I cannot see this magic cloth! Who knows what they may think of me!” So instead he said, “Indeed! This is the most beautiful cloth anyone has ever seen!”
The Emperor could see no cloth, anywhere!
As it turns out, the Emperor’s grand annual parade was coming up soon. This was a special day when everyone in the kingdom lined up to admire the Emperor and cheer him as he walked by. This year the Emperor wanted an outfit finer than ever before. It must be made from the weaver’s wonderful cloth!
Yet there was very little time. Could they weave the cloth in time for the parade? The two fake weavers frowned, as if they could not be sure. Then they smiled and said yes, they could make him the finest royal outfit and cape ever. But it would cost many extra gold coins for the work to be ready in time.
The Emperor paid it all. The two crooks put the gold right into their chest. But they did not buy yarn. All they bought were a few candles to burn in the windows at night. That way everyone would say, “Look! Those new weavers are working all night long to get the Emperor’s new clothes ready in time for the parade.”
On the morning of the parade, the Emperor came to the weaver’s shop. He felt sure that this time he would be able to see the magic cloth. But still, the Emperor saw nothing!
When it was time for the Emperor to get undressed, the clever crooks said, “These clothes are so light and airy it will feel as if you have nothing on at all.” And indeed, that is how it seemed to the Emperor! For when he looked in the mirror, he saw in the reflection that he was wearing nothing. But he thought, really, he must be wearing a very grand outfit. One worth all the extra money he had spent.
At the parade, the Emperor walked tall and proud. Each person who saw him go by thought, “I cannot believe what I am seeing! The Emperor is wearing no clothes!” But each person said nothing. They knew that only people who were smart and excellent could see the magic clothes. So instead they cheered, “There goes the Emperor! Doesn’t he look fine!” Each person thought, “I cannot believe what I am seeing!"
All of a sudden, one little boy called out, “Look! The Emperor has no clothes!” Everyone gasped. Then another child called out, “Look at him! He has nothing on at all!”
Then someone laughed. And someone else. Then more and more people started to laugh. Someone said aloud, “Would you look at that? Our Emperor has no clothes!” Soon, everyone was calling out and laughing.
“Oh dear!” thought the Emperor. “Now everyone knows I could not see the cloth! They will know I didn’t speak up because I was afraid of what people would think of me. What will they think of me now?”
But the parade must go on. And so, the Emperor continued to walk. And the servants behind him continued to hold high the train that wasn’t there.
It is interesting to me that in Genesis during man's first encounter with the enemy of our soul that the devil brought attention to the fact that Adam and Eve in the garden were naked. He introduced them to shame for their exposure. They attempted to cover themselves with leaves. Remember the exchange that God had with this couple? Who told you that you were naked? The man blames the woman and the woman blames the serpent. However, from that day forward the serpent has changed his game. He now acts like these two strangers who come to town who make invisible clothes for the emperor. He now tries to convince us or keep us from recognizing our own nakedness. He realizes that if we see our own nakedness that we will find covering and we will no longer be exposed and vulnerable.
I must ask you the question this morning. Are you naked? Is it possible that you are marching in the parade of life uncovered? Could it be that you march to church week after week clothed in nothing more than a smile and you are unaware? Perhaps you are going to work or school and without any recognition you laughed at and others recognize just how naked you really are! Even though you may be wearing the latest fashion you are uncovered.
Scripture makes it clear that we are to be clothed. God provided clothing for Adam and Eve. However, He doesn't leave the rest of us to fend for ourselves. So, for just a few moments please join me in remembering the clothing that God has provided us and let's do a wardrobe check. We must be clothed in these garments.
Joy - Psalms 30:11
You have changed my sobbing into dancing. You have removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.
Praise - Isaiah 61:3
He has sent me to provide for all those who grieve in Zion, to give them crowns instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of tears of grief, and clothes of praise instead of a spirit of weakness.
Salvation/Righteousness - Isaiah 61:10
I will find joy in the Lord. I will delight in my God. He has dressed me in the clothes of salvation. He has wrapped me in the robe of righteousness like a bridegroom with a priest’s turban, like a bride with her jewels.
Power - Luke 24:49
And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Humility - 1 Peter 5:5
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Full Armor - Ephesians 6:13-17
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Compassion, kindness, quiet strength, discipline, forgiveness and love - Colossians 3:12-14
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on (above all else), wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. (If there was ever a time that this passage is appropriate to read and reflect on it is now.)
So, how do we obtain these items of clothing? Paul sums it up in ...
Christ - Galatians 3:27
And when you were baptized, it was as though you had put on Christ in the same way you put on new clothes.
(Clothe yourself in Christ!) - Literally put Jesus on over you!
By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ’s life, the fulfillment of God’s original promise.
So, the issue isn't lack of clothing! The issue is simply too many of us are convinced we are dressed when instead we are stark naked! Any other covering than those garments provided to us when we clothe ourselves in Christ leave us naked as a jaybird. The result is we are vulnerable to the inevitable wardrobe malfunction. We are unequipped and exposed. The good news is that these necessary and essential pieces of clothing are readily available to you. However, you must put them on. It is interesting that the OT passages say that God places those pieces of clothing on us, but other than the power promised the other pieces of clothing require us to put them on. Put them on is a statement of action. We must actively put on humility, armor, compassion, kindness, quite strength, discipline, forgiveness, love and even Christ! These articles of available clothing can be hanging in the closet and you never pull them out and wear them.
What are you wearing that you think covers you, but in reality, is insufficient for the day we live in? Our abilities, our goodness, our strength, our intelligence, our money, our resources, or anything else we can cover up with are nothing but the emperor's new clothes. In fact, we are told that our own righteousness or attempt to impress and parade are filthy rags.
It is time to dress. It is time to clothe ourselves appropriately.
