SCARS

We all have “scars” of some sort that are a part of us.

When I say the word “scars,” what comes to mind?

• A physical scar you can see?
• An emotional scar you cannot see?

Do you have a physical scar?  If so, I bet seeing it makes you think about what happened that caused the scar.  Were you doing something you knew you shouldn’t be?  Or was it just a silly incident? Was it self-inflicted or from someone else?

I have a physical scar under my chin.  It was Labor Day weekend when I was about ten years old.  We were at an aunt’s house, swimming in their in-ground pool.  My chin hit the side ledge of the pool as I went to jump in.  I might have needed a stitch or two at the time, but we opted not to go to the hospital.

 

Are you aware of any emotional scars you have? They can be the result of a traumatic experience you may not have even shared with anyone. Emotional or mental scars are not visible yet have a greater impact on our lives.  Maybe you were abused, either physically or emotionally, bullied as a youngster, or neglected.  All of these can lead to emotional scars, which affect the way we view the world and others.

 

 

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.  Again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”  And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”  A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”  Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  –John 20:19-31  (NIV)

 

This passage is after Jesus’ resurrection and before His ascension into heaven. How interesting to note in both of these appearances, Jesus first says, “Peace be with you!”  The second thing He shows them is the physical scars, which are apparent from the nail marks on His hands and side!  The disciples recognize Him from these visible scars on His body.

 

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.  He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?  Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.  And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”  They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.  –Luke 24:36-43  (NIV)

 

Luke’s version of the same story also emphasizes the “peace” Jesus extends to the disciples.  Here they believe they see a ghost, but Jesus’ scars on His hands and feet prove who is standing in their midst.  Jesus, in His resurrected state, is also recognized when eating with the disciples.

 

Photo courtesy of Angela Xu under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.  –Mark 14:65  (NIV)

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.  –2 Corinthians 5:21  (NLT)

Imagine the emotional scars Jesus endured for you.  He was spit upon, mocked, bullied, and made to carry a heavy cross on the way to Calvary.  An innocent man who did no wrong punished for your transgressions.

 

From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus. –Galatians 6:17 (NLT)

Paul, in this passage, relates how some physical scars on his body are most likely the result of standing for his belief in Jesus. Sometimes Christians, especially back in Jesus’ day, endured great physical persecution for the sake of spreading the gospel message.

 

Photo courtesy of Lewis_Satini under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)

 

Jesus’ scars, both His physical and emotional ones, are evidence of…

• …the salvation and freedom we have in Christ.
• …the reality of His presence in our lives.
• …God’s great love for us.

 

Because of Jesus’ scars in His hands, feet, and side, can you too…

• …be filled with peace?
• …say, “My Lord and my God?”
• …be sent in Jesus’ name, willing to endure persecution?

 

Know the physical and emotional scars you possess are a natural part of life and serve a purpose.  May God be glorified through the scars your life bears just as Jesus’ scars did.

 

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.  –Isaiah 53:5  (NIV)