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Biblical to Modern Wear: What Would Jesus Don?

Fashion has long been a powerful form of self-expression. Clothing choices provide a unique way to wordlessly craft your outward identity, making a statement about who you are or what you stand for; revealing cultural heritage, personal values, or even your mood on any given day. 

Fashion trends have evolved dramatically over the centuries, from the flowing robes of ancient times to the sleek, to the fashion trends of today. Read along as we embark on a playful exploration that examines the cultural and symbolic significance of fashion in the Bible, and speculate what Jesus’ wardrobe might look like if He were here today. Would He opt for the simplicity of His time—a humble tunic and sandals—or perhaps opt for a minimalist, modern look? 

During the time of the Bible, clothing was practical, meeting the needs of daily life. Yet, much like today, garments were not purely functional, as different pieces often spoke to culture, status, purpose, or faith. 

Here's a look at some of the common clothing items worn during that period:

Tunics: Long, loose everyday attire worn by men and women, often made of wool or linen.
Cloaks: Outer garments used for warmth, draped over the shoulders, and essential for protection against the elements.
Sandals: Simple footwear made of leather or plant fibers, essential for walking in rugged terrain.
Head coverings: Worn for practical and religious reasons, they shielded from the sun and signified humility or reverence.

Now we will take a look at specific garments in the Bible that are imbued with value and meaning.

Each piece conveys a message rich with faith, identity, and favor:

The Tallit: A prayer shawl is worn by Jewish men during prayers, with its fringes (tzitzit) serving as a reminder of God’s commandments.
Sackcloth: Worn as a sign of repentance and mourning, sackcloth was used to express deep sorrow and humility before God.
Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors: Symbolizes Joseph’s favored status with his father, Jacob. However, it also sparked jealousy and resentment among his brothers, leading to his betrayal and eventual rise in Egypt. The coat represents themes of favoritism, envy, and how God can transform difficult circumstances for a greater purpose.
The Hem of a Prophet’s Garment: In the case of Elijah and Elisha, the hem of their garments often represented their prophetic authority and connection with God.
The High Priest’s Ephod: A richly adorned garment worn by the high priest, including the breastplate with twelve stones representing the tribes of Israel. It symbolized the priest’s role as a mediator between God and the people.
Esther’s Robe: Esther’s royal robes highlighted her transformation from an ordinary Jewish girl to a queen who used her position to save her people, illustrating themes of courage and providence.
The Robe of Jesus: This robe, worn by Jesus during His crucifixion, is a representation of unity and wholeness. Its seamless design was so valuable that Roman soldiers cast lots for it rather than tearing it apart. The robe reminds us of Christ’s unbroken nature and the spiritual significance of His sacrifice.

Imagining what Jesus' wardrobe would look like today is an amusing juxtaposition of ancient modesty with contemporary threads. Given His emphasis on humility and approachability, His wardrobe choices today would likely express these core principles while blending seamlessly with current styles.

Check out our best guesses at what l would fill His closet:

Minimalistic Basics: Simple and quality pieces like plain T-shirts and well-fitting jeans.
Reasoning: Speaks to His message of modesty and rejection of material excess. 

Comfortable Casuals: Comfortable yet stylish options like button-down shirts and chinos.
Reasoning: Embraces a laid-back and relatable demeanor that emphasizes His approachability. 

Eco-Friendly: Sustainable ethically produced garments.
Reasoning: Aligns with teachings on stewardship while expressing compassion and respect for all creation. 

Classic Elegance: Timeless pieces such as a tailored blazer or a simple dress shirt.
Reasoning: Respectfully honors inner virtue and grace without being ostentatious. 

Contemporary Traditionals: Adaptations of ancient robes with modern cuts and fabrics.
Reasoning: An honor to His earthly heritage. 

Demographically Inspired: Clothing that incorporates diverse cultural elements.
Reasoning: Communicates the inclusive universal application of His teachings. 

Ergonomic Footwear: Practical and humble sneakers.
Reasoning: For walking, connecting with, and serving others. 

Thoughtful Accessories: Scarves inspired by the tallit, and a necklace with a simple cross pendant.
Reasoning: Incorporating elements of His spiritual heritage while subtly acknowledging His spiritual eminence. 

While clothing can certainly be used to express ourselves, in the end, it’s not the clothes we wear but the heart behind them that matters most to God. As we imagine a hypothetical wardrobe for Jesus in today’s world, it is clear that whether He were to wear minimalist attire, or updated versions of robes from His time on earth, the essence of His teachings—humility, compassion, and connection—would shine through. Fashion may change, but the call to live with love and integrity remains forever timeless.

-Torrance Community Church of Christ

Can You Guess Who’s Who?

Welcome to our challenge! We'll test your knowledge and attention to detail with a guessing game we’ve created. Your task is to dive into the fascinating lives of figures from Scripture and uncover their identities through a series of elusive and cryptic clues. Get ready to piece together the mystery and deepen your understanding of these remarkable lives. Let’s begin!

Clue Set 1:
1: My early years were marked by a dual heritage. 
2: I could be impatient, which was why I struck a rock twice. 
3: My final resting place was concealed and remains unknown.

Clue Set 2:
1: My journey began with familial discord and a special item that contributed to significant changes in my life’s trajectory, involving betrayal and relocation.
2: I was sold for twenty pieces of silver.
3: I stored grain.

Clue Set 3:
1: My name means "rest" or "comfort."
2: I cursed my grandson.
3: I lived through a lengthy period of significant redefinition and reestablishment that was influenced by a change in the conditions and structures of my world.

Clue Set 4:
1: I performed a significant act of healing that involved a ritual and a notable figure from outside the usual religious community. 
2: I sought refuge in a brook where I was sustained by an unusual source.
3: I experienced a unique departure from my earthly existence. 

Clue Set 5:
1: As a child, I slept near the Ark of the Covenant.
2: God called to me in the night, marking the onset of my prophetic ministry. 
3: My early years were marked by a significant vow made by my mother, which involved a lifelong commitment that influenced my role in a sacred institution.

Clue Set 6:
1: I faced a significant challenge involving a law that targeted my religious practices.
2: My contributions included revealing the meaning behind enigmatic symbols and dreams, which were integral to understanding future events and political shifts.
3: I spent a night in a place of extreme peril and miraculous preservation.

Clue Set 7:
1: My life was marked by the promise of numerous descendants, despite initial doubts and long years of waiting for this promise to be fulfilled.
2: My two sons represented different paths and promises. 
3: My faith was tested with an unthinkable sacrifice. 

Clue Set 8:
1: My first husband and I moved to a foreign land with his family during a famine, where both he and his brother died.
2: My life included a notable interaction that led to a significant change in status and circumstance and influenced the continuity of a particular family line.
3: My story is read during a Jewish festival that celebrates the giving of the Torah.

Clue Set 9:
1: My birth was foretold by an angel who instructed my mother on the specific vows I was to follow.
2: I riddled a riddle that led to a dispute.
3: My most trusted confidant led to my downfall. 

Clue Set 10:
1: I established a lasting memorial at a notable crossing point.
2: I led my people to perform a covenant renewal ceremony on two mountains. 
3: I was responsible for distributing portions of land among my people.

Clue Set 11:
1: My initial name was synonymous with a positive and agreeable nature, which I eventually renounced in favor of a name embodying my grief and loss.
2: My return home coincided with the beginning of the barley harvest.
3: I was instrumental in a series of events that led to the continuation and restoration of my family's line.

Clue Set 12:
1: I made a pact that my family would be spared during an attack.
2: I tied a scarlet cord in my window.
3: My faith earned me a mention in the book of Hebrews.

Clue Set 13:
1: I left my lucrative job after a two-word invitation.
2: I hosted a great feast for Jesus in my home.
3: My Hebrew name was Levi.

Clue Set 14:
1: I was absent when Jesus first appeared to the disciples post-resurrection.
2: My name is also a common English name that means "twin."
3: I exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!"

Clue Set 15:
1: I am mentioned by name in all four canonical Gospels.    
2: My name means "rebellious" or "bitter."
3: I provided monetary needs for Jesus and His disciples.

Clue Set 16:
1: I was a physician by profession.
2: My writings are addressed to a person named Theophilus.
3: My writings include precise details about Roman and Jewish leaders that accurately place my account within the broader historical context of the time.

Clue Set 17:
1: I was accused of blasphemy against Moses and God.
2: A young man named Saul was present at my execution and openly approved of what was happening. 
3: I was described as having a face "like the face of an angel" during my trial before the Jewish council, indicating my calm and divine demeanor under pressure.

Clue Set 18:
1: I was educated under a prominent teacher of the Law, Gamaliel, which greatly influenced my knowledge and understanding of Jewish traditions and scripture.
2: I spent three years in Arabia.
3: My path was rerouted by an extraordinary experience that beckoned me toward new opportunities and unfamiliar shores.

Clue Set 19:
1: My story includes the shortest passage in the English version of the Bible.
2: This incident that I am most famous for contributed to the intensifying conflict that surrounded an important individual. 
3: My story serves as a prelude to an event that would redefine the boundaries of life and death.

Clue Set 20:
1: I was given a new name that means "rock" in Greek, symbolizing the foundational role I was to play in the church.
2: I had a vision that was interpreted as an instruction to accept Gentiles into the early Christian community.
3: I was the first to speak to the gathered crowd on the day of Pentecost, delivering a sermon that resulted in about 3,000 people being baptized.

Clue Set 21:
1: My name means "pure" or "innocent," which contrasts sharply with my occupation and reputation among my fellow Jews.
2: I resided in a city that Herod the Great had rebuilt and adorned with a palace, making it a significant administrative and economic hub in Judea.
3: My story is recounted in a Gospel where my name and actions serve as a prelude to Jesus' parable of the minas.

Clue Set 22:
1: I was a centurion in the Italian Regiment and stationed in a coastal city known for its mixed Gentile and Jewish population and strategic position in the Roman province of Judea.
2: I am described as a devout and God-fearing man who regularly gave to the poor and prayed to God.
3: I was the first Gentile to be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit in a manner explicitly sanctioned by Peter, which challenged prevailing Jewish customs and set a precedent for future inclusivity in the early church.

Clue Set 23:
1: I am known for my role as a prominent businesswoman and patroness in Philippi.
2: I became the first European convert to Christianity.
3: My home became a meeting place for early Christians.

Clue Set 24:
1: I am from a city in North Africa. 
2: The Gospel of Mark mentions my two sons by name.
3: I was drawn from the outskirts to partake in a momentous act; providing relief to someone en route to their final mortal destination.

Clue Set 25:
1: My name means "God is gracious."
2: My story highlights the serious repercussions of dishonesty and hypocrisy within the growing Christian community.
3: I fell dead at the feet of a prominent person.

Clue Set 26:
1: My father was Greek and my mother was Jewish. 
2: A close friend of mine sometimes referred to me as his "true son in the faith.”
3: I received guidance that emphasized moral conduct and behavior. 

Clue Set 27:
1: An apostle's long sermon put me to sleep.
2: While sleeping, I had an accident that caused my death, but I was revived. 
3: My name means "fortunate,” which seems to be accurate to this specific incident. 

Clue Set 28:
1: I was a very old widow. 
2: I spent much of my time worshiping God in a special place.
3: I recognized a child for who they really were.

Clue Set 29:
1: My wife and I had the same profession as an important apostle. 
2: My wife and I make a great team when it comes to teaching. 
3: I contributed to the establishment and strengthening of congregations.

Clue Set 30:
1: I was one of seven.
2: My legacy includes the baptism of a specific eunuch.
3: The Spirit of the Lord miraculously delivered me to my next destination.

Answers

Print the game here

Congratulations on making it through! By now, you’ve likely stretched your knowledge, but we hope this undertaking has deepened your appreciation and understanding of these pivotal figures and their stories. Whether you guessed them all or found yourself stumped by a few, the experience reveals the richness of faith, perseverance, and God’s purpose throughout the Bible. We urge you to keep exploring, studying, and uncovering the layers of wisdom and inspiration within the sacred text. Thank you for joining us in this exploration. Until next time, may your curiosity and faith continue to grow.

-Torrance Church of Christ

The Wonderfully Weird Beasts of the Bible

The Bible is filled with vivid imagery and symbolism, often drawing from the natural world to convey deeper spiritual truths. from the awe-inspiring and majestic to the mysterious and even fearsome, animals are frequently used as intermediaries to convey moral truths, illustrate human traits, and sometimes are even messengers of His will.

The Curious Menagerie 

The Leviathan
The Leviathan is one of the most enigmatic and formidable creatures mentioned in the Bible. Described as a giant sea monster or dragon, it embodies chaos and power that only God can tame. Primarily featured in three key biblical texts, Job 41 describes the leviathan as a creature of immense strength and invincibility, emphasizing human powerlessness compared to Godly might. Psalm 104:25-26 references the Leviathan, depicting it as one of God’s creations, and Isaiah 27:1 describes a future where God defeats it.

Symbolism and Insights 
The Leviathan represents:

• The conflict between good and evil 
• The ultimate triumph of good over evil
• God’s supremacy over all of creation 
• God's protection and deliverance
• The futility of human strength without God
• Sometimes seen as a symbol of pride that God will ultimately humble.
• An embodiment of Satan or demonic forces

The Behemoth
Spending its days peacefully grazing and roaming the soil, Job presents the Behemoth as a colossal beast with brute strength and stature.

Symbolism and Insights 
The Behemoth represents:

• The variety and wonder of God’s creation
• The limitations of human strength and understanding
• God’s provision and care for all creatures
• Unyielding strength and stability
• Peace and harmony within the world

Potential Real-World Counterparts
Unable to reach an agreement, scholars have suggested the behemoth may be a mythological creature created by blending characteristics of various large animals known to the ancient world to convey theological truth through symbolism. Still, many scholars have debated the possibility of the Behemoth being one of or a relative of the following animals:

• Hippopotamus
• Elephant
• Ancient Megafauna like the wooly mammoth or another prehistoric herbivore
• A large herbivorous dinosaur similar to a sauropod 

Balaam’s Talking Donkey
Balaam’s talking donkey is one of the more unusual and memorable animals in the Bible. As described in Numbers 22, the non-Israelite prophet Balaam has been summoned to curse the Israelites. During the journey, his donkey abruptly stops, keenly aware of the angel on the path ahead. Unaware of the angel's presence, Balaam becomes frustrated by the donkey's refusal to move forward and strikes the donkey three times. In a dramatic turn of events, the Lord opens the donkey’s mouth, allowing it to speak and question Balaam’s actions. After the donkey spoke, God opened Balaam’s eyes to see the angel, who rebuked him for his stubbornness and disobedience. 

Symbolism and Insights 
Balaam’s Donkey Represents:

• God's ability to use any means to communicate His will and intervene in human affairs
• The revelation of spiritual truths that are often hidden from human perception
• Human folly
• The reminder to remain spiritually aware and attentive to God’s presence and directives
• The reminder that guidance can come through unexpected sources 
• The need for humility and acceptance of God's will over personal desires
• The importance of vigilance and discernment

Jonah’s Great Fish
Jonah’s encounter with the great fish is one of the Bible’s most famous stories.  Called upon by God to intervene with the wicked ways of the citizens of Nineveh, the Book of Jonah reveals Jonah’s attempt to flee his responsibility. At sea, headed in the opposite direction, God sent a violent storm, and Jonah was thrown overboard by the terrified crew. Instead of drowning, Jonah is swallowed by a great fish, spending three days and three nights in its belly. Inside the fish, Jonah prayed to God, expressing his repentance and commitment to obey. God commands the fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land, and Jonah obediently goes to Nineveh to deliver God's message.

Symbolism and Insights 
Jonah’s Great Fish represents:

• The process of turning back to God after straying
• God offers second chances to those who repent and seek His forgiveness
• The powerful renewal and transformation of repentance
• Internal struggles
• Personal introspection and reflection 
• The assurance that God’s plans are fulfilled 
• God’s ability to use creation to accomplish His purposes
• God's means of discipline and protection 
• The need to acknowledge sin
• God’s mercy 
• Opportunities for redemption

The Serpent in Eden
While Jonah’s fish may be one of the most famous animals, the Serpent in Eden is hands down the most infamous and pivotal animal within scripture. More cunning than any other animal, the serpent tempted Eve by questioning God’s command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The serpent deceitfully assured Eve that eating the fruit would open her eyes, allowing her to know good and evil, ultimately making her like God. Eve succumbed to the temptation, ate the fruit, and shared it with Adam, leading to their disobedience against God's command. As a result, sin entered the world, and Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden.

Symbolism and Insights 
Eden’s Serpent represents:

• The origins of sin and temptation
• The deceptive and subtle nature of temptation that distorts truth and leads to disobedience
• Tests of faith
• The concept of free will
• Moral decisions between right and wrong
• The loss of innocence
• Underscores the correlation between disobedience and a broken relationship with God
• God's plan to restore humanity through Jesus Christ
• The act of questioning and doubting God's word
• The enticement of forbidden desires and autonomy
• The human susceptibility to temptation 

Facts and Peculiarities of Other Biblical Animals 

• Although more modern translations use the description of “wild ox” or “wild bull,” the KJV references the unicorn 9 times! (Numbers 23:22, Numbers 24:8, Deuteronomy 33:17, Job 39:9, Job 39:10, Psalm 22:21, Psalm 29:6, Psalm 92:10, Isaiah 34:7)
• The animals mentioned in the Bible come from many different regions around the Middle East.
• The lions mentioned in the Bible are presumed to be the Asiatic lion, which became extinct in Palestine around 1400 AD.
• Four species of antelope are mentioned in the Bible.
• There are around 100 different species of animals mentioned in the Bible.

There's No Horsing Around Here

Imbued with intentional meaning and lessons, these captivating and strange animals remind us of morality, God's sovereignty, the need for obedience, the potential for transformation, and the ever-present opportunity for redemption. 

- Torrance Community Church of Christ