A Tassel with Blue Cord
As I was re-reading the Book of Numbers today a line struck a chord with me. God instructed Moses to tell the Israelites to put a tassel, some translations say “fringe,” on the corners of their garments and in that tassel to place a blue cord or thread. They were to do this so that when they saw it=--which would have been almost always as they dealt with each other and their own dressing on a daily basis, they would remember to keep the commandments of God which He had given them.
What is your “tassel with a blue thread” that reminds you to keep the commandments of God? As I thought about that, a number of things occurred to me.
First, I am glad to live under a New Covenant and not the Law of Moses. Although we live under a covenant which still demands obedience to God, we are not required to “wear our religion on our sleeve” if you will.
Second, it occurred to me that my reminder to be obedient to God is really Jesus—He is the example of perfect obedience to God to Whom we look as an example and as a reminder of our responsibility to be obedient to God.
Third, do I need a “touchstone” of remembrance, a physical/visual reminder to obey the commands of God? God does not require that in the New Testament even though God gives us some such “touchstones.” The weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper is such a reminder to us of what our sins cost God and that God forgives our sins because of the death of Jesus and the shedding of His blood. I am reminded that my sins are cleansed by Jesus’ blood when I am united with Him in baptism initially, based on faith and repentance, and I am cleansed by His blood continually as I “walk in the light” (1 John 1:6-10).
Fourth, I HAVE a touchstone—it is my Bible. God’s Word is now in written form for me to put in my pocket either in print or electronically (I use my phone for reading the Bible as well as an iPad and a laptop computer) so at any time I can visually look at this reminder and then look within its pages to actually see what those commandments are.
Fifth, as I see Jesus living in others I see the “tassel with the blue thread” in the righteous acts of His saints and I am reminded of my own need for such righteous living.
Sixth, I remember that MY devotion to keeping the commands of God is my own “wearing” of the tassel with a blue thread so that I might benefit others. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify you.” NO, that isn’t what Jesus said. “Let your light shine before others that they may see your good works AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN.” Then MY “tassel with the blue thread” is a true reminder to others of the importance of keeping the commandments of God. What comes next in the text is absolutely frightening. But that becomes another story. Jimmy