This is one of my favorite fairy tales! Two fast-talking "tailors" hodwink the Emperor and all his staff into believing that they are creating the finest clothes for him. They are crafted from the most beautiful and expensive materials, and the clothes are quite the sight to see! The tailors proclaimed that only the most stupid and ignorant could not recognize the beauty and quality of the clothing.The Emperor has surrounded himself with "yes" men, who corroborate the claims of the tailors. These are the most magnificent clothes ever created! The Emperor looks amazing!
The Emperor is persuaded to process throughout the town, giving the entire populace a sight of his glorious clothing. Ohhs and aahhs fill the air. The Emperor is praised and feted at every turn. Finally a small voice piped up, "But he has nothing on!" As this was whispered and repeated throughout the crowd, the noise grew, and the people began shouting "The Emperor has no clothes!" Vain til the end, the Emperor hears their cries, but continues to parade back to his castle.
As a fairy tale, on the surface the story is funny - a fable to entertain children. There is more to this story, however, a moral in fact.
How often do we ignore things happening right in front of us, pretending that they don't exist? Are we carried along on the wave of public opinion, afraid to express our opinion that might run counter to "popular thought?"
Do we have leaders in our nation, our state, our city, and even our church whose nakedness cannot be exposed? Are we forced to toe the party line and deny evil being flaunted in our very face? Have we given up our right to dissent? Is political correctness now the arbiter of right and wrong?
Jesus spoke very clearly about liars and hypocrites. His execution was most probably hastened by his very public opinions about the authorities of his time. "How terrible for you legal experts and Pharisees! Hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs. They look beautiful on the outside. But inside they are full of dead bones and all kinds of filth. In the same way you look righteous to people. But inside you are full of pretense and rebellion." Matthew 23: 27-28.
Look around you. What is being promoted as good, beautiful, or important? Is it really - or are you being sold a bill of goods? Are these things or people really good? Look closely. Ask questions. As Jesus said to the Pharisees: "You are the ones who justify yourselves before other people, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued by people is deeply offensive to God." Luke 16:15. Don't be caught naked!
