Sacred Scars

“And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.” – Zechariah 13:6

When I was a little girl, there was a time my sister repeatedly fell down on the same part of her knee. Three times in a row … ouch! The result? An infected sore that left a scar. It’s probably not that noticeable today, but it’s still there nonetheless.

All of us can probably think of a certain scar we have. Big or small, it’s some kind of lasting mark that’s become a part of us. Maybe it’s not even visible to the eye, because it’s an emotional scar that has permanently affected who we are.

Scars. They’re not pretty … but they tell a story. It might be a funny account about a childhood mishap. Or it might be a traumatizing tale of something we’ve suffered. Either way, it’s probably safe to say none of us would choose any type of scar if we were given a choice. Yet every scar plays some purpose in our life.

Jesus has scars too – though His resulted by choice. He willingly allowed wicked men to nail His hands and feet to a crude cross. He underwent this torture at the hands of those He came to save. And we were the purpose.

His scars are for us. One day when we meet Him face to face, we’ll see these scars – these marks of love – with our own eyes. They will reinforce the truth that “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Today I told a new friend, “Jesus loves you.” She just looked at me. Like those words might have struck a chord. Maybe it sounds childish to say it that way – but what other way is there to say it?

His scars say it all: Jesus loves you.

“But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

Image: dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net