LightGrams
September 4, 2025
Volume 29, Number 28
The state of Massachusetts is in the process of redesigning its state flag. The present one was adopted in 1908; it is felt that the symbols portrayed on it – an Algonquian Native American holding a bow and arrow – may not hold the meaning today that it once did. To come up with a better design, the public has been invited to submit suggestions. Hundreds have responded.
As you might expect, not all suggestions were serious. One featured a dinosaur holding a cup of coffee; another recommended these words for a slogan: “Providing Spelling Bee Fodder For The Ages”. Others were more serious, using pine trees, golden codfish, a lighthouse, and ships as symbols of the state’s history and contributions. It remains to be seen what will ultimately be chosen.
Flags are usually taken seriously as they display ideas or themes that are important to the state, nation, or organization that flies the flag. The flag of our nation features fifty stars in a field of blue to show the unity of the individual states. As the monument paying tribute to the battle of Iwo Jima shows clearly, the flag can be a rallying force in times of war or crises. We pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to proclaim our loyalty to our nation.
When Israel wandered in the wilderness prior to settling in the Promised Land, they camped according to tribes, and each tribe’s encampment was marked by their own standard (flag). When it was time to move forward, the nation set out tribe by tribe, following the standard of their tribe (Numbers 2:17). If one was looking for someone in the tribe of Reuben, for example, they would simply look for that flag. That’s where the person in question would be found.
In Song of Solomon 2:4, this interesting statement is made: “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.” Many interpret this book of the Bible as a preview of the church’s relationship to Christ. Using this lens, we could say that Jesus’ “flag” over His people is love.
Love is a prominent theme in Jesus’ teaching. He declared loving God to be the greatest commandment of all and loving our neighbors as ourselves as the second greatest (Matthew 22:37-40). But His words in John 13:35 sound as if He has designed a “flag” to lead His people: “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Are you trying to locate a follower of Jesus Christ? Then look for the flag that Jesus designed. John wrote about it in 1 John 3:11: “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” Those who are not making it a practice to love others are obviously not in Jesus’ “camp”. His flag, strengthened by His example of dying in our place, will never change.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2025, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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