Photo and Commentary ©2023 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, April 30, 2023
We do try to buy local whenever we can. But when that’s not possible, we’re thankful for the ease of online shopping. It’s usually quite straightforward; we order and we receive what we ordered.
And that’s what happened a couple of weeks ago when I ordered two books. However, when I opened the box there was a small printed note on top that confirmed the April 17 order of the following:
“1 Dragonhawk S5 Wireless Tattoo Kit Tattoo Pen Machine Gun Kit B2 Tattoo Battery Power Supply Tattoo Cartridges Needles Bl . . .”
I read the note twice, just in case my mind had drifted off when I read it the first time, then looked through the box but found nothing related to tattoos, only the two mild books I had ordered.
It makes me smile to think how strange it would be if I had ordered that tattoo pen machine gun kit. It also makes me cringe to think of me actually using a tattoo pen machine gun. I don’t think you would want me to be the shaking hand to create your tattoo!
I’m not a good candidate for getting a tattoo, either. I know tattoos are quite popular nowadays, with some Christians carefully explaining why they chose their particular tattoos.
I think I shrink from the needle because, first of all, needle! Second, most tattoos are permanent. As a lifelong overthinker, I would stress out with the choices necessary, the think before the ink. And somehow it reminds me of my years-long teenage struggle with acne. During that time I longed for unblemished skin. That was my striving, my hope, my prayer: smooth, unmarked skin.
And yes, all this reminds me of Jesus.
The Merriam-Webster online dictionary’s first definition for tattoo is, “a mark, figure, design, or word intentionally fixed or placed on the skin.” The marks of the nails in Jesus’ hands and feet were not the result of plans going terribly awry. Multiple prophecies laid out the plan of our salvation. Jesus knew that all His steps were leading to a cross. He walked that road every day, with pure intention.
He tried to prepare His friends for what they would witness, but they were so brainwashed by the Jewish leaders’ teachings about what the Messiah would be and do that they pushed back, unable to accept His clear words:
Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify . . .” (Matthew 20:17-19a)
On that day the Lord’s words to Israel would come true:
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands . . . ” (Isaiah 49:16)
Tattoos. Permanent body art. That’s what Jesus wears. Heart art.
When we describe someone as wearing his heart on his sleeve, we mean he is openly, honestly showing his true affection. Jesus wears His heart on His hands and feet. He’s not keeping His love for us a secret. How open and honest is a sinless Son of God dying so we don’t have to!
When I quoted Matthew 20 above, I held back the last words, the best words:
“ . . . And the third day He will rise again.” (Matthew 20:19b)
Jesus plainly told His friends the terrible things that were soon to befall Him, but He did not stop there. He told them His story would not stop there, nor would theirs.
Nor do ours! No matter what challenges may come our way this week, we can invite the Holy Spirit to tattoo His truth on our hearts. We serve a risen Saviour, one who calls us His beloved. This week, no matter what, live loved.