Where are your scars?
Jesus knew all about the painful stories behind scars – and they demonstrated his passion for us, writes Gordon Allan pastor of Edinburgh Elim
Gordon Allan
There is something about a scar that appeals to men. It might be the result of a sporting injury, accident, fight, self-inflicted wound or even surgery. Men love a scar.
I remember once visiting a man recovering after open heart surgery who almost ripped his shirt buttons off, like Clark Kent transforming into Superman, just to show off his impressive scar.
Where are your scars? I have one above my left eyebrow, from having been knocked down by a car as a seven-year-old. I have a scar on my right knee when, as a 16-year-old, I was ‘studded’ during a football match. And I have a 25-year-old scar on my right thumb after an incident with a cheese slicer.
Men also like to know the story behind the scar – how did it happen and why did it happen? However, some scars are not seen. They are the marks made on our souls by emotional hurt and pain. Men are good at trying to hide those. Scars are the evidence of the actions and events of our lives.
I am so grateful that King Jesus understands scars, those seen and unseen. He is the perfect Son of God who was so badly beaten that he was unrecognisable. The metaphor of a slain lamb is used in the Bible to describe who Jesus is and what his mission was.
The scars from wearing a crown of thorns adorn his brow. His hands and feet bear the marks where spikes were driven through as he was nailed to a Roman executioner’s cross. His body was scarred with the puncture wound of a soldier’s spear, his back ripped to shreds as a result of flogging.
Yes, Jesus knows a thing or two about scars! He knows that the blood that flowed from those wounds would purchase forgiveness of sins for all who call on his name, and that physical and emotional healing is available, as ‘by his wounds we are healed’ (Isaiah 53:5).
Jesus invited an inspection of those wounds and scars by his friends and by one friend in particular. Thomas, a disciple racked with doubt and fear, had declared that he would not believe that Jesus was alive unless he could put his fingers in Jesus’ wounds (John 20:25). Thomas’ response when he encountered Jesus that first Easter was to declare, “My Lord and my God!”
When was the last time you marvelled at and exclaimed those same words as you encounter the resurrected Saviour?
The story behind Jesus’ scars speaks of his passion towards you and his mercy available for you. As the old hymn says, ‘love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all’.
This article first appeared in Direction, Elim’s monthly magazine.
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