Our thoughts today are centred on verse 17 of Galatians 6. Paul the apostle is writing: ‘Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks or brands of the Lord Jesus.’
The word ‘marks’ in the original Greek language is ‘stigmata’ from which we get our English word ‘stigma’ and ‘stigmatize’. Cattle are branded in the interest of identity, security and ownership.
Today, wearing a tattoo is considered by some to be ‘cool’. This practice of branding took place early in human history when God put a mark on Cain to protect him from potential enemies. Genesis 4. 15.
Christ, in one of His final letters to the churches promised the disciples at Philadelphia that is they overcame, ‘I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God – New Jerusalem.
(Revelation 3. 12) At the end of time, during the reign of Antichrist, people will only be able to conduct business if they have been branded with the mark of the Beast. (Revelation 13. 17)
In the twentieth century, Jews were stamped with an indelible mark on their wrist before going to their death in the gas chambers.
Galatians 6. 17. ‘For I bear on my body the marks or the brands…’ The scars that the apostle Paul refers to in this verse were personal, literal, and physical. He identifies what they are when writing to the believers in Corinth: ‘I received lashes or stripes five times, beaten with rods three times, once I was stoned and left for dead.’ ( 2 Corinthians 11. 23-28 Acts 14. 19).
No less than five of Paul’s letters to various churches were written from a prison cell in Rome. But rather than label himself as a prisoner of Rome, Paul calls himself ‘the prisoner of Jesus Christ.’
(Ephesians 3. 1) Humanly speaking, Paul was not Christ’s prisoner, but a prisoner of Ceaser Nero. However, Paul believed that God is Sovereign over the affairs of men. Paul applied the same principle to the scars he had received. His branding was a mark of distinction, that set him apart as an apostle of Christ. Paul recognised that there was no higher honour than to suffer for the sake of the Son of God.
Christ has joined the ranks of those who have been stigmatized for the sake of God’s purposes and Kingdom. The risen Christ invited doubting Thomas to touch and handle the marks of the wounds in His hands and His side. (John 20. 27) Over sixty years later, the apostle John caught sight of the same wounds in his revelation: ‘I saw the Lamb, and on Him were the wounds that once had caused His death.’
(Revelation 5. 6) There will come a day when we too will see for ourselves the same marks that Christ suffered to rescue us, and we shall prostrate ourselves at His feet in worship.
Hymn writer: ‘Five bleeding wounds He bears, received on Calvary. They pour effectual prayers, they strongly plead for me..’
Paul writing to Timothy, his son in the Faith: ‘Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, just as I do.’ (2 Timothy 2. 3) The marks or brands that disciples of Christ receive today, may not be physical, but are just as real. In certain parts of the World 21st century Christians are branded for Christ by persecution, treated as second class citizens, rejected by their family and friends, live in fear of their lives, and forced to practice their faith in secret. 2 Timothy 2. 12. ‘If we suffer with Christ, we shall also reign with Christ.’
Early Church Christians have set us an example: ‘They departed from the presence of the Jewish Council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the Name of Christ.’ (Acts 5. 41)
Mary Slesser, the heroic missionary to Nigeria, suffered physically for Christ. Her hands were bleeding, the skin of the palms were gone, her nails worn to the quick. Quote: ‘What does anyone know who doesn’t know how to suffer for Christ?’ (John of the Cross)
Human history and practice abounds with example of branding: Raw recruits to the Roman army were prepared for service by a demanding painful induction. Only a fully trained and qualified soldier was tattooed as fit for service in the Roman army. The main idea behind the branding of a soldier is that of allegiance or loyalty. 2 Timothy 2. 3-4. ‘Take your share of the hardships and suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No soldier in service gets caught up in the affairs of civilian life. His aim is to satisfy and please the One Who recruited him.’
Good soldiers, branded soldiers of Christ are dedicated, loyal, conscientious, wholehearted, willing to suffer and to concentrate. What is the quality of my loyalty to Jesus Christ? Am I really sold out?
In the past it was common practice to brand slaves, the mark being a means of identification and ownership. Exodus 21. 6. ‘At the end of seven years, if the slave shall say: I love my master, I will not go out free, his master shall pierce the servant’s ear, and the servant shall serve his master for ever.’ Under Jewish law, the stigmata of the slave was ownership by choice, of his own free will.
In the same way Paul the apostle labels himself the servant or slave of Jesus Christ, willingly. (Romans 1. 1) Let’s ask ourselves the question, are we willing servants of Jesus Christ?
Who do you and I belong to? Who owns us? Songwriter: ‘Now I belong to Jesus, Jesus belong to me, not for the years of time alone, but for eternity.’
1 Corinthians 6. 19-20. ‘Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit Who is in you? You are not your own, you were bought at a price.’ Romans 12. 1. ‘I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. It is your reasonable act of worship.’
CLIMAX: The scars, the brand marks of the apostle Paul tell us that we should never be ashamed of suffering for the sake of Christ. Far better to be scarred for Christ than to be scared! Be encouraged to carry the scars of suffering in our bodies and in our lives as a sign of our willingness to be Christ’s slave.
POET: Captain beloved, battle wounds were Thine.
Let me not wonder if some hurt be mine.
Rather, O Lord, let my deep wonder be,
That I may share a battle wound with Thee.