“And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after.” (Numbers 15:39, ESV)
The Lord commanded that the people of Israel wear tassels on their garments to remind them that they are a chosen people who live by a different code. The people were to remember and live by the commandments of the Lord so they would not live by their fleshly lusts.
As time went on, the wearing of the tassels seems to have changed from its original intent among some. In the days of Jesus, the Pharisees used their tassels as an outward sign to others that they were more separated from the world, or holier than others were.
“They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,” (Matthew 23:5, ESV)
Jesus proclaimed a warning about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Rather than a reminder to themselves of the wonder of their privileged position as the chosen people of God, the Pharisees used the tassels as a prideful reflection of their corrupted hearts.
What is it that reminds us today that we are partakers of the New Covenant? There are no specific requirements of the New Testament believer to wear a specific garment of physical clothing or jewelry. However, often today we will find people wearing Christian jewelry such as a cross. When believers see and consider the cross, it should be a reminder for them of their privileged position in the family of God.
Considering the cross should cause believers to consider their spiritual clothing. What kind of clothing does the Bible command us to wear? The Bible commands us to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14), to “put on the new self” (Ephesians 4:24), and to put on the virtues of Christ (Colossians 3:9-14). What we, as believers, are to wear is the outward manifestation of the indwelling Spirit of Christ. This is what people see. They may see our jewelry, our Christian symbols, but it is essential that they see the reality of our faith manifested by God’s grace as we walk by the Spirit, having victory over the flesh.
Renewing the Heart 