THE SCARS WE BEAR

John says, “He showed them his hands and his side” (John 20:20). In other words, he showed them his scars, and then, and only then, did they rejoice.

A Grandpa and granddaughter were sitting talking when she asked, “Did God make you, Grandpa?”
“Yes, God made me,” said Grandpa.
“Did God make me, too?”
“Yes, God made you.”

There was a long pause while the child looked at her granddad. “You know, Grandpa,” she said, “God’s doing a lot better job lately.”

Children tend to have fewer scars than older people. Scars are the marks of experience. Scars are the evidence of wounds, of pain, of suffering, loss and brokenness over time. Scars are wounds that eventually healed, but we always remember how they were inflicted and the pain that surrounded them.

Carlyle Marney, the great 20th century Baptist preacher, once said “God often uses people who are deeply wounded. On the last day, Jesus will look us over not for medals, diplomas, or honors, but for scars.”
Jesus’ scars are part of His story, part of what He suffered on our behalf. His wounds matter to us and to God. Our scars are part of our story, hopefully part of the story of what God is doing in our lives. Our wounds matter to us and to God.

If we recognize each other by the scars that we bear, may those marks become reminders not of our weakness, but of God’s resurrection power and grace.

Pray with me. Thank you, loving God, for being present with us when we are wounded and for your comfort and strength to bear the pain. Our emotional and physical scars remind us of your amazing grace at work in our lives. Thank you God. Amen