Tying on Tassels: Like Pharisees or Like Messiah?
Tzittzit. Tassels. Why in the world does my family tie them onto our clothing every day? Well, in the Scriptures we have been told a command from the Creator. An instruction to His covenant Family to wear them as a reminder to keep His Instruction. One is to literally see the tassels upon the clothing on their body (the temple) and simply be reminded that His Ways are good. They are protection. Provision. Safety. This is a simple way to remember that we’re in covenant with the Most High (and a quite incredibly unique one, I must say!)
From there, we have been given two biblical options, if you will, of how to handle this simple command. Sadly, many Christians choose to use the non-believing Pharisees for yet another poor example of why tassel-wearing "just doesn’t matter now” and “only puffs you up like those ‘ol hard hearted Pharisees.” Yes, we do read of this facet and it is, of course, worth discussing.
But what about Option #2? In Matthew chapter 9 we see an account that gets much attention in endless sermons and illustrations. But what should be more highlighted is that the incredible healing that came to the sick woman, came to her via the corners of Messiah’s cloak, where His tassels were located. We also see this in Matthew chapter 14 where “the people kept begging [Yeshua] that they might just touch the tzitzit of His garment -and all who touched it were cured.”
One must maturely realize that people mishandling Father’s Instruction is in no way an invalidation of It’s purpose and meaning. The fact that corrupt men misused the wearing of the tassels in no way invalidates Father’s wonderful purposes for them!
As with many “things” that we do, that cause professing Believers to scoff and label us “law-keeping legalists,” there are biblical reasons for such actions. Heart matters. We could use this simple principle to address endless subjects, that most Christians ignorantly label “for the Jews.”
In Matthew 6 Messiah spoke these words: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them.” Yes, and amen. But the instructions of Yahweh do not have to be handled in such a way, as He Himself demonstrated. Messiah was the perfect example of this as He surely clung to every single Torah command that applied to Him. Including the tassels command in Numbers chapter 15. Obedience to these matters is of course what deemed Him perfect in the sight of His Father.
I love to tell people of the many reasons that we wear tassels. None greater than the simple fact that my Messiah did too. Sure, we can talk about how men boasted in the length of theirs and used them for prideful purposes. OK. But let us not stop there! My Messiah wore them and in the Luke 8 account, Messiah even declared that He knew when power left Him, via the tassels! Incredible, right?! Yeshua is the one that I want to walk in the likeness of, not religious men.
Lastly, we read of a prophecy in Malachi that Messiah will return one day - ”To you who fear My Name [Yahweh] The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings.” Wings here is Hebrew “kanaf” or corners. And what are tied upon these “wings?” You guessed it, tassels. Messiah wore tassels while on earth, in bodily form. He will wear them again when He returns. I’m pretty sure that He’s wearing them… even right now. I want to be like my Messiah, don’t you?
Tzittzit. Tassels. Why in the world does my family tie them onto our clothing every day? Well, in the Scriptures we have been told a command from the Creator. An instruction to His covenant Family to wear them as a reminder to keep His Instruction. One is to literally see the tassels upon the clothing on their body (the temple) and simply be reminded that His Ways are good. They are protection. Provision. Safety. This is a simple way to remember that we’re in covenant with the Most High (and a quite incredibly unique one, I must say!)
From there, we have been given two biblical options, if you will, of how to handle this simple command. Sadly, many Christians choose to use the non-believing Pharisees for yet another poor example of why tassel-wearing "just doesn’t matter now” and “only puffs you up like those ‘ol hard hearted Pharisees.” Yes, we do read of this facet and it is, of course, worth discussing.
But what about Option #2? In Matthew chapter 9 we see an account that gets much attention in endless sermons and illustrations. But what should be more highlighted is that the incredible healing that came to the sick woman, came to her via the corners of Messiah’s cloak, where His tassels were located. We also see this in Matthew chapter 14 where “the people kept begging [Yeshua] that they might just touch the tzitzit of His garment -and all who touched it were cured.”
One must maturely realize that people mishandling Father’s Instruction is in no way an invalidation of It’s purpose and meaning. The fact that corrupt men misused the wearing of the tassels in no way invalidates Father’s wonderful purposes for them!
As with many “things” that we do, that cause professing Believers to scoff and label us “law-keeping legalists,” there are biblical reasons for such actions. Heart matters. We could use this simple principle to address endless subjects, that most Christians ignorantly label “for the Jews.”
In Matthew 6 Messiah spoke these words: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them.” Yes, and amen. But the instructions of Yahweh do not have to be handled in such a way, as He Himself demonstrated. Messiah was the perfect example of this as He surely clung to every single Torah command that applied to Him. Including the tassels command in Numbers chapter 15. Obedience to these matters is of course what deemed Him perfect in the sight of His Father.
I love to tell people of the many reasons that we wear tassels. None greater than the simple fact that my Messiah did too. Sure, we can talk about how men boasted in the length of theirs and used them for prideful purposes. OK. But let us not stop there! My Messiah wore them and in the Luke 8 account, Messiah even declared that He knew when power left Him, via the tassels! Incredible, right?! Yeshua is the one that I want to walk in the likeness of, not religious men.
Lastly, we read of a prophecy in Malachi that Messiah will return one day - ”To you who fear My Name [Yahweh] The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings.” Wings here is Hebrew “kanaf” or corners. And what are tied upon these “wings?” You guessed it, tassels. Messiah wore tassels while on earth, in bodily form. He will wear them again when He returns. I’m pretty sure that He’s wearing them… even right now. I want to be like my Messiah, don’t you?
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