The Mark of Christ

'From henceforth let no man trouble me:

for I bear in my body

the marks of the Lord Jesus."

Galatians 6:17

I've found new meaning in this verse. The pretext of v17 talks about Paul's conviction to Christ. He was a controversial figure preaching a gospel deemed highly controversial then. The religious leaders found it absurd and unacceptable that one could be saved simply by believing, not by mechanically following laws passed down from Moses' time, eg: circumcision. Paul ends off this epistle with a resolute statement that he bears the mark of Jesus Christ.

The mark of the cross encompasses two areas of understanding, the first of which is enslavery. Slaves in the past had to bear the mark of their masters either by tattooing or by scarring using a hot iron template. (You know, like how the Japanese used those red hot sticks to torture people?) So the slaves were bonded to their masters for life.

Paul saw his conviction to spreading the gospel despite numerous times of brushing shoulders with Death partly due to obligation. Christ freed him from being enslaved by sin and the world, and Paul saw Christ as His Benefactor. It was his responsibility to live for Christ because Christ has given him eternal life.

Also, the mark of the cross implies undying passion. Staunch members also bore the ensigns of their organisations. Paul loved Christ because Christ loves him and died for him. It was imperative to let others know of this love and eternal salvation too.

Similarly for us, it is an obligation and a passion to bear the mark of Christ.

I was caught off-guard when Pastor Tang asked in the sermon, 'Why do you wear a cross? Don't you know the cross is a symbol of utmost shame and humiliation?' I wear one around my neck, but do I see it as a reminder of Jesus' debasing cruxificion, or just a silver accessory to decorate an otherwise plain neckline? I was thinking that if I were to live in the old Grecian society, I'd be laughed at by others for openly exhibiting a ridiculous cross on my neck.

Let me be a Christian who lives the Word and prove true to the cross I bear - on my neck and throughout my stay on Earth.