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“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” –– Matthew 13:45-46
Among the wisdom sayings passed on from one generation of clergy to the next within the Reformed tradition is that one should avoid, if possible, allowing the medium to get in the way of the message. Proclamation transcends preacher. Word transcends personality. That’s a major reason why you see us carrying on the tradition of wearing black robes. The black robes were an intentional departure from the elaborate and ornate vestments of the Roman and Anglican traditions which have historically echoed the pomp and ceremony attached to the priesthood in the Sinai narratives of Exodus and Leviticus (e.g. They shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen, skillfully worked. It shall have two shoulder-pieces attached to its two edges, so that it may be joined together. The decorated band on it shall be of the same workmanship and materials, of gold, of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen…” –– Exodus 28:6-8). Calvin’s black Geneva robe was intended to do the opposite, removing attention from the preacher (medium) to allow greater focus on the Word of God (message), hence the wise counsel to avoid allowing the medium to get in the way of the message.
I don’t know how long the tradition of the black robes will continue, and I doubt I would protest if it faded away. Those billowing sleeves are a pain when attempting to deftly handle sermon notes, hymnals, communion elements, and infants. However, my old robe still serves as a humbling reminder to me of my responsibility to handle the Word with care and our shared responsibility to focus on the message and meaning of what God may be saying to us through this sacred Word.
Similarly, that old adage of not allowing the medium to get in the way of the message is also helpful as we read the biblical text, and this is particularly true with Jesus’ parables. The elements and characters in the parables are not puzzles to be solved, but are a vehicle teasing the mind into active thought about values and meaning and purpose. In the parable above, Jesus is not proffering advice on investment strategies, wise business practices, or the market price of rare gems, as interesting as those subjects may be. Rather, Jesus is conveying the incomparable, infinitesimal, priceless value of a life lived in community with God. The message is not the size of the pearl, but the immensity of God’s grace. Such is the gift the Psalmist celebrates –– “One thing I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life…”
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