hmmmm

Pierced

Yesterday I had my ears pierced for a Christmas present. I've had them pierced before, twice, but both times I let them close up because they got infected. One last try, this time I'll only use quality earrings. I have my ears pierced merely as an adornment.

I thought about what the Bible has to say about ear piercing. I only found one place that mentions it - Exodus 21:2-6.

Exodus 21:2-6:

If you (a Hebrew) buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing. If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. But if the servant plainly says, "I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free," then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.
(I added what's in italics just for clarifying who the "you" being spoken of is.)

If the servant loves his master, wife, and children, and is unwilling to go out free, he will remain a servant of his master forever and have his ear pierced as a sign.

This makes me think of Jesus. His master is GOD the Father, His wife (bride) is the church, and His children are those who believe in Him and follow Him. Jesus became a servant of GOD when He came to earth as a man and obeyed GOD as a servant the whole time he was here.

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it something to be held onto to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phillipians 2:5-11.

GOD gave Jesus the church and His children."No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:44

Jesus was pierced not in His ears, but in His hands, feet, and heart. Why pierced? Because He loves His Master, His bride, and His children. He was willing to be pierced, serving GOD forever and so we could be together forever. "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." John 15:13

There was no other way for the servant keep the bride and children his master gave him except to be pierced. In the same way, but because of our sins (evil thoughts, words, and deeds), there was no other way for Jesus to keep us who believe Him and follow him except for Him to be pierced, dying for us, paying the price for our sins. "But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

The piercing is full forever commitment - out of love.

The love of GOD in Jesus Christ overwhelms me.

posted by Colleen @ 7:35 PM