My God Has Scars
When I was young my parents had an annual fall ritual. We would drive to a local orchard and pick apples. Mom loved to bake, so that meant we would get to enjoy some delicious apple pie.
We would carefully choose which apples were to be picked from the trees. They had to be ripe and free from any defects. That way they would keep the longest in cold storage. If an apple had any scars on it, they were left on the tree.
I feel so bad for people who have been burned in a fire. Their faces bear the scars of their suffering and pain. I feel so bad for soldiers whose bodies have been scarred by war. I once was on a bus ride with a man whose face was so disfigured he wore a bandana over his face with only his eyes being visible. He didn’t want to expose the public to what was underneath. I could tell it was awful.
My God has scars. In Isaiah there is a prophecy about Jesus being beaten so badly during His crucifixion that He was hardly recognizable. In heaven Jesus bears the scars of crucifixion on his hands, feet, and side for all eternity. It will remind us of the love Jesus has for each of us. Again, in Isaiah, it reminds us we are healed because of those scars which never heal, worth meditating on. Jesus’ scars tell a story!
“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.” John 20:27 NIV
Leave a Reply