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A Parable: One Soldier’s Tattoo - I John 3:1-10 28 may 06
Jonny was born and had grown up in New England. With a Dad, whose only meaningful interaction with Jonny consisted of a beating here and there, and a Mom who was more interested in her friends than she was in her children, well…calling it a terrible home was being generous. More than anything, Jonny just wanted a pat on the head, an approving nod from his Dad, or a hug from his Mom before going to bed. Was that too much to ask?
High school had been a nightmare, as not a day passed without someone making fun of him. Smaller – and less athletic – than most, he was an easy target. Getting a C was a major accomplishment for Jonny, no thanks to help from his parents. Everything he did, he did on his own. He was a fighter, determined. And lonely.
After four and a half long years, high school graduation was finally in sight. He’d made it! He had pulled a C+ average, and even though he was toward the bottom of the academic list, he was proud of his accomplishment. Graduation day! The sunny day, however, was overshadowed by a noticeable absence. “I had to work late, Jonny.” It was the only excuse his Dad ever gave.
With his whole life ahead of him, and with no real direction, the Army seemed to be a logical choice. Order, structure, travel, serving his country, and someone – even if it were a commanding officer – who would notice him. It was his chance to make a difference, to be recognized, to get away from home. To get away from his Dad.
The first two years in the service were more difficult than he’d anticipated. Early mornings, grueling days, late nights. It had been a huge stretch for him – both physically and mentally, but Jonny loved it. He loved the challenge that each day presented. He loved the fact that he’d been promoted. He loved his country. He loved the fact that his country loved him. Though he hadn’t been fighting on the front lines yet, he knew he was contributing to the cause. But, he missed his Dad. Oh, how Jonny longed for a healthy relationship with him. Sadly, he knew he’d never heard his Dad utter those three simple words… “I love you.”
Iraq. Afghanistan. Back to the US. He’d moved around quite a bit, but throughout those two years, there had been two constants in his life – Alex, and Alex’s pocket New Testament.
Six foot four Alex had had a similar background to Jonny. Maybe even a bit worse. Instant friends since Day 1 in the Army, the two had become inseparable. Obstacle courses, exams, food lines, push ups, traveling back and forth across the Atlantic. Rarely had they been far apart.
It was shortly after they met – when getting injections, actually, that Jonny had seen the tattoo on Alex’s left arm. “How Great a Love.” At that point, Jonny had just smirked a bit, thinking it a bit odd to have it tattooed – permanently – on one’s arm. For as close as the two men became, though, the tattoo had never been something that Jonny inquired about. It was also something that Alex never mentioned, much less explained.
It wasn’t until close to the end of the second year that the subject came up. The two soldiers were lying in their bunks. Jonny was staring aimlessly at the tiles on the ceiling. Counting them, as there was nothing better to do. Alex had taken out his New Testament – something Jonny had seen him do each day – and had begun reading silently to himself.
“Two years, and you’ve never read out loud,” Jonny said in a half-disinterested, monotone voice. Jonny didn’t really expect an answer. He didn’t really want to be answered either, as he was now on tile number 108 and didn’t want to lose track. Much to his surprise, Alex began to read out loud.
“See…how…grrreat…” The words – though simple – were slow.
See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.
It wasn’t so much a stutter, but Jonny – now having forgotten what tile he was on – could immediately tell that Alex was struggling to read out loud. How Alex had hidden this fact from Jonny for nearly two years, Jonny had no idea. And how Alex has passed the exams they had been required to take was an even greater mystery! They’d been all over the world and had been in countless situations, and somehow, Alex had covered it up – from both him and the Army.
By the third word, a bead of sweat was beginning to form on Alex’s temple – at least on the temple that was visible to Jonny. Alex had started over. “See…how…grrreat…a…love…the…Fa-Fa-ther…has…”
“How great a what?” Jonny interrupted his extremely nervous friend.
Alex, in turn, thought he’d read something incorrectly, so he started from the beginning, and by now the bead of sweat was half way down his cheek. “See…how…grrreat…a…love…”
“You tattooed it on your arm?” Jonny again interrupted in disbelief. “You tattooed it on your arm?” This time, Jonny was laughing – the kind of laugh that makes your diaphram begin shaking. He had seen this tattoo off and on over 24 months, so he immediately made the connection with what Alex was reading.
This time, however, Alex’s countenance had changed. It wasn’t one of nervousness, but of confidence. Gone was the tentative reader that had been there just moments before. In his place appeared a man – a soldier – who was confident. “My Father loves me.” His words were strong, yet gentle and genuine. “My Father loves me. And my Father’s love has changed me.”
“You’re Dad’s a drunk, man. Your Dad was worse than mine was,” Jonny added. “Your Dad laughed at you, and called you names… and didn’t you say that the scar on your knee is from him?”
Alex ignored the question. “I’ve found a love much greater than anything my Dad could ever hope to give me….and it’s a love that has changed me.”
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when Jesus appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
“What do you mean, ‘changed you’?”
Alex didn’t answer the question, but continued lying on his bed, giving Jonny time to think and process. The forty-six seconds that passed seemed like an eternity to Alex, but the silence was beginning to produce the desired effect. Jonny began to answer his own question.
And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as Jesus is pure. Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
“That’s why you don’t act like the other guys, isn’t it?” Alex didn’t say anything, but just let Jonny go on. “That’s why you don’t laugh at their jokes.” Jonny’s mind was working overtime, trying to recall events of the past two years. “That’s why you never bend the truth – or even swear. That’s why you didn’t go downtown with us guys last week, when we had ‘fun.’ And that’s why you were calm on the flight to Iraq, when we hit that storm over the water. You just sat there with your head bowed as everyone else – soldiers, even! – were freaking out. … God’s love… Is that what you mean by ‘My Father’s love has changed me’?”
You know that Jesus appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.
A small grin appeared on Alex’s face…the kind where only the corners of his lips moved. Still, however, Alex didn’t say anything. Inside, though, he couldn’t have been more excited. He never would have guessed four years ago – when we had the tattoo etched into his skin – that it would become such a powerful message to his friend. As a new Christian, the thought of tattooing himself was not high on his priority list. But, a new tattoo was the best way to cover up the old one… and the old tattoo had words in it that… to put it mildly… would not make one’s Mom proud. Or the Lord. Alex had been pleased at how the tattoo artist had skillfully reshaped some letters, added some letters, and turned a previously vulgar saying into something so beautiful: “How Great a Love.”
“So that’s why you’re ‘perfect’ all the time.” Jonny’s comment wasn’t said mockingly – they were too good of friends for that – but more of a realization, figuring something out that had obviously caught his attention during their years together. Jonny didn’t know why, but he had caught on early in their friendship that Alex was different than most. Different, actually, than any other one he’d ever met.
Alex’s response hit home. “I’m not perfect, not at all. I’m not perfect – just forgiven … and not because of anything I’ve done, that’s for sure. It’s because Jesus took away my sin… the things I’ve done that hurt His heart…and He’s even taking away my desire to do those things, too. Got a long way to go, though.”
Jonny jumped in… “You can’t tell me that you don’t want to go with us last week when we went down – “
“No, not really.” Alex didn’t let him finish his thought.
…the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
“Before meeting Jesus, I would have gone with you in an instant. But like I said at the beginning, God’s love has changed me…and continues changing me.”
“That mean you never sin?” Jonny was thoroughly engaged now, curious as to what made his friend tick on the inside.
“No, I do. But I don’t like it. And, I’m relying on God’s strength to help me change every day…changing to become more and more like Jesus. God’s love has changed me, Alex, and it continues changing me. If I call myself a Christian I need to live like one. God’s Word says…wait, wait…let me find it.”
Alex again struggled with the words as he tried to find the verse he was looking for. The sweat reappeared as he read, “No one… who… is… born… of God… pra-prac-ti-ces sin.” Alex’s relief in completing the verse almost overshadowed the joy he felt in being able to share God’s Word with his friend. Alex was so thankful that his actions over the past two years were backing up what he was now saying. He worked hard at pleasing God, and in so doing, knew that his testimony to Jonny would be good, too. Alex added one more thought, as if in conclusion: “I shouldn’t want to sin.”
Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.
“So, you want to live like a Christian, eh?” Jonny was thinking hard. “That explains, I guess, why you’re so easy to get along with… I’ve never met anyone like you before.”
Alex was still lying on his bunk, half-turned, facing his friend. “What about you, Jonny? You ever experienced God’s love?”
Now, the bead of sweat was forming on Jonny’s temple. Squirming just a bit, his response was short, as he shook his head. “I’m beyond love. God’s not interested in me.”
“Ahhh…that’s where you’re wrong, Jonny. That’s where you’re wrong. You see, it doesn’t matter what you’ve done, where you’ve been, where you were born…or even who your parents are. That’s the beauty of it. Here you read the verse.” Alex reached across to Jonny’s bunk and handed him the New Testament. “Here, right here,” he said, pointing to verse one of chapter three.
See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.
Jonny began reading it to himself, before being rudely interrupted by his friend.
“Two years, and you’ve never read out loud,” Alex mimicked Jonny’s earlier statement.
Jonny shot him a glare, accompanied by a smile…and then began reading. “‘See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.’ Other than on your arm, I’ve never heard or seen that before. Is it real though?”
By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.
Alex turned up the pressure. “Well, you saw a difference in me, didn’t you? …even though you didn’t know why I acted differently than the other guys. Wasn’t the difference obvious?”
Jonny didn’t answer, but they both knew the answer to the questions Alex was posing. The difference in his character and actions was obvious. He was consistent. Perfect? No. But growing. And changing. And willing to grow. And willing to change… to become more and more like Jesus – the Savior he loved.
Jonny was still struggling with what he was trying – desperately – to comprehend. Trying to understand how God – the Father – could love him. Jonny knew better than anyone how terrible he was. Plus, for his entire life, his real father had never shown love to him. “I can’t believe God would love me...my father never did. I can’t believe God would love me...my father never did.”
Alex listened as his friend continued wrestling with a life-changing reality…an eternity-changing reality! Finally, Alex broke into Jonny’s thinking. “Listen, I have a great song that kind of summarizes what we’ve been talking about. The problem, though, is that CD player is out of batteries…go figure…” Alex proceeded to reach into a bag that was underneath his bunk. He fumbled around a bit till he found the CD case he was looking for. Pulling it out, he slid the cover out of the case and opened it up to the song he had in mind. “Here,” Alex said, handing the cover to Jonny, “you’ve heard me read out loud. You read it. It’s song #1.”
Jonny hesitantly took the cover, wondering what he was getting himself into. Trusting his friend, though, Jonny sat up and began reading…
I’ve been hearing voices telling me that I could never be what I wanna be. They’re binding me with lies, haunting me at night, and saying there’s nothing to believe. Somewhere in the quietness when I’m overcome with loneliness I hear You call my name. And like a father, You are near, and as I listen I can hear You say…
You are a child of Mine, born of My own design, and you bear the heart of life. No matter where you go, oh, you will always know, you have been made free in Christ. You are a child of Mine!
And so I listen as You tell me who I am, and who it is I’m gonna be. And I hang on every word, knowing I have heard I am Yours and I am free. But when I am alone at night, that is when I hear the lie You’ll never be enough. And though I’m giving into fear if I listen I can hear You say…
You are a child of Mine, born of My own design, and you bear the heart of life. No matter where you go, oh, you will always know, you have been made free in Christ. You are a child of Mine!
Jonny laid the song cover on the bed next to him. With tears in his eyes, he looked at Alex. “How great a love, eh?”
Making it personal…
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