Yes, in this moment, we’re still hurting (absolutely), and many are wondering … How in the world? Why in the world? What in the world? And as I’ve already confessed, there is so much I do not know, there’s so much we do not know, so much we may never know. But please allow me to tell you a story that will point you to what we DO know. It’s Noah’s and my “58” Story.
Years ago when this church was much smaller, one of my jobs each Sunday before I left for lunch was to walk around and set all of the thermostats; in the winter I would run the heat down to 58 degrees. Well one Sunday Noah volunteered to help me. He asked me, “Pastor Jody, what do I put it on?” And I said “58.” Little guy Noah said back to me, “58!” Each week, he’d be at the end of the hall and as he set it, he’d say, “58!” and I would reply, “58!”
Well, over time it actually became a part of our identity (he was “Little 58” and I was “Mr 58”) and I loved it. And then this summer, Noah was here for worship one Sunday; after the service he hung around down front to speak to me, I got me a big ‘ol bro hug, and then he showed me his left forearm …. he had gotten a “58” tattoo. “58” was engraved on his arm as a symbol of the relationship – that after all of these years – we still shared, in a very deep way. And oh my goodness, seeing that “58” made me feel so special, so loved! I was blown away! It was like, “Are you kidding me, he got a tattoo … for me! But … I haven’t always been there for him … I haven’t always been everything I should’ve been for him … And he got a tattoo for me anyway?”
Please hear me: There is Someone who got a tattoo for you too. He actually got 4 of them for you (nails through both hands, a nail through his feet, and a spear through His side). He got His body engraved for you [Isaiah 49:16] because of His great love for you. And His name? His name is Jesus.
Yes, there are some things we just don’t know (how in the world, why in the world, what in the world); but here’s what we do know (you ready?) … here’s what we know: For God so loved the world!!
It’s the most popular verse in the Bible, and for good reason. John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son [gave Him to be nailed to a cross to pay the price for your sins … so that through faith in Him your sins can be forgiven and you can have peace with God and know the peace of God in your life …], that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
THAT’S it! There’s a lot we don’t know, some things we may never know, but THAT’s what we DO know! God loves you so much that He sent Jesus into this world to get tattooed for you! He was fully aware that you would not always be what you needed to be, but He willingly got tattooed for you anyway! And check this out: He got tattooed for you KNOWING His tattoos would result in His death. God sent Him anyway and Jesus got tattooed for you anyway because it was the only way you could come to know how special you are; the only way you could come to know how loved you are.
Hey, I want everyone to know that … I got a tattoo too [show my left forearm]. Now, mine will wash off (I can wash it away with a little effort and a little soap and water).
But Jesus’ tattoos that He got for you, they’re different; they’re permanent. They will never go away, just like His love for you will never go away. This is so amazing: Jesus’ blood that poured from His tattoos, it (and it alone) can wash off (wash away) all of your sins. And in having your sins washed away, you get to know the grace and the love of God in ways that you’re blown away! Shame GONE! Regret GONE! So much so you’re like, “Are you kidding me? Jesus got tattooed … for me?” Yes, yes He did!
The blood from Jesus’ tattoos washed away my sins. It washed away Noah’s sins. I pray you will allow it to wash away your sins too.
Download: https://jodyflowers843.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/the-last-page_noah_wheaton.pdf
Jody Flowers 