THE APRON

It was a hot mid-afternoon in the eastern city. Demetri and Silvanus rested on the step, leaning against posts supporting the balustrade of the slave’s quarters.

‘I hate my work’, snarled Silvanus, shrugging his shoulders, while tracing with a stick a pattern in the stones at his sandalled feet.

The slave’s duty extended from dawn till their masters retired, whether late at night or the early hours of the morning. It was true that Silvanus’ master was a hard man, but not unreasonable.

‘Oh, come on, Silvanus,’ coaxed Demetri kindly. ‘We have a room, our food and clothing. We are well looked after.’

‘You are all right’, admitted Silvanus. ‘Tullus is a good master. He bought you and you belong to him. I’m only hired.’

‘Yes, you’re right. Tullus is glad for me to rest while he enjoys his siesta, but now it’s time for me to get back to work,’ replied Demetri, as he lifted a large apron from its peg on the wall.

Silvanus watched Demetri cover himself with the large apron. ‘ If only we didn’t have to wear that apron. Everyone knows we are slaves when they see us,’ derided Silvanus, frowning at Demetri, and unwilling to reach for his own apron. The apron completely covered Demetri, and he smoothed it tidily over his clothes, kept clean .because of the apron which marked him as a lowly slave.

Silvanus sighed discontentedly, unwilling to follow Demetri’s example.

‘ I love and respect Tullus’ assured Demetri, hoping to inspire Silvanus ‘ and I’m not ashamed to wear this apron. Everyone knows I’m a slave, but the people know Tullus is a good master, too.’ Silvanus sauntered off in disgust , loathing the garment, leaving Demetri and his apron, while throwing his own to the ground.

When Peter wrote ‘Be clothed with humility’ he meant ‘wear the slave’s apron. Let it completely cover you.’

Three times in two verses Peter exhorts Christians to humility; willing to wear the slave’s apron, ready to take the lowest place, to do the menial tasks, the meek or lowly work or duty. Glad to accept the lowest position, happy to serve others, obeying our honoured and loving Master.

The Lord Jesus humbled Himself by wearing a towel, and washing the disciples’ dusty, smelly feet, just two days prior to His crucifixion.

The Lord Jesus humbled Himself, to leave a glorious heaven and become a man, and carry our sins on the cross, to satisfy God’s wrath, and through our repentance and faith, reconcile us to God.

It was the Lord Jesus who said, ‘ I didn’t come for people to minister to Me, ( although many faithful women consistently did this ) but to serve, aid, assist, help, relieve, support, sustain, nourish, nurture others and (finally) to give My life to liberate you from the guilt and power of sin.’

But obedience is always accompanied by promise, and Peter follows the challenge to humility as we don the slave’s apron with the promise of God’s grace. Grace is God’s influence on our lives that enables us to do what is impossible of ourselves.

And while you are donning the slave’s apron of humility He has promised to support you and take all your cares upon Himself.

There is great reward in wearing the slave’s apron of humility.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THESE VERSES?

1 Peter 5:5-7 Mark 10:45