Wait, I thought the Bible taught that “good Christians” (whatever that means) don’t get tattoos? I used to think that also. I mean, that’s what I was taught growing up. Or maybe you don’t think that the Bible teaches against tattoos, but surely it doesn’t teach that people should get them, right?

 

Well there’s a book in the Bible, the 4^th book, called Numbers. Much of this book is about the Israelite’s journey through the dessert and how they are called to live lives that are different than others. In the 15^th chapter of this book, Moses receives a command from God for the people of Israel; a command that is for the generations to come; a command that is to last. In Numbers 15, starting in verse 37, Moses is told that the Israelites are to put tassels on the corners of all of their garments and to have a blue cord woven into these tassels.

 

What a strange command, huh?

 

Let’s keep reading through and we will discover the purpose behind why God commanded that. In verse 39 and 40 we read that the purpose of the tassels is to serve as a visual, physical reminder to the Israelites. It says, “When you look at these tassels you’ll remember and keep all the commandments of God, and not get distracted by everything you feel or see that seduces you into infidelities. The tassels will signal remembrance and observance of all my commandments, to live a holy life to God.” So, the purpose of these tassels is to be reminders of God in our lives that we see daily. They are triggers in our mind that we are called to a bigger and better life; a life with a purpose.

 

A good friend of mine has the word, “Shema” tattooed on his wrist. The Shema is a Hebrew prayer that people say as a reminder that there is only one God and that we are to love God with everything we have and with everything that we are. Whenever he sees it, he is reminded and he says that prayer countless times a day. I have another friend who has a cross with a banner that says Isaiah 53:5 on it. He got it as a reminder that no matter how badly he may mess up, God will love him regardless and has already forgiven him and healed him. His tattoo helped him overcome his addiction to porn. His tattoo is a reminder to him to step into that healing every day and to live a life inside that healing and to extend it to others.

 

Why did those people get tattoos? To serve as a reminder to live a life that chases after God; a life that pursues a bigger and better purpose than themselves. Those tattoos serve the purpose to remind them to live a life that imitates that of Jesus.

 

Now do all tattoos do this? Not at all. Does everyone with a tattoo of a cross have this purpose in mind? Not a chance. But that doesn’t deter from the point I am trying to make. Maybe, just maybe, tattoos aren’t evil and of the devil. Maybe they are holy. Maybe they are of God and maybe, just maybe, they can be used to bring Heaven a little closer to Earth.

 

The whole point of being a Christian is to love God and to love others. It is to make this world a better place. If having some letters or symbols permanently placed on your skin helps you do that, who am I to say you’re wrong? Especially when God himself told people to set up reminders that they would see throughout the day that serve the exact same purpose.

 

Shalom friends,