SCARS (A sermon excerpt)

Every scar tells a story.

As with most scars my first one is still evident after 38 years. The story behind it is as fresh in my memory as if it happened yesterday. I was 7 years old and a big fan of “The Roadrunner”. Whenever we went to the park or visited a relative with a backyard I would always pretend to run at super-sonic speed. But it wasn’t long before I learned that gravity and human body dynamics prove that we are not super heroes or cartoons for that matter. That was the lesson learned one Sunday afternoon after visiting with my grandmother who lived on top of a hill. The main road to Grandma’s house was not paved and therefore very rough on vehicles. For that reason my uncles created a short cut to climb up the hill by foot.  Just seconds after saying good-bye to Grandma and right before my mom and I began our way down the hill I yelled excitedly, “Mom, look at me I am the roadrunner. Beep, beep!” No sooner had I began to run than I fell on a rock. I cut my right knee and began to bleed profusely. It took eleven stitches to close the wound that is now replaced by a scar which always prompts me to say “Beep, beep” every time I look at it. 

If you have a scar it too tells a story because…every scar tells a story.  Stories of wounds experienced in our lifetime. Even though some wounds may be external (physical) and others internal (emotional) most of them have been caused by some painful and/or traumatic event.  Our scars tell our life story. But there are scars that tell a different kind of story, a unique and wonderful story. The story behind the scars that were caused not only as a result of a painful experience, but also one filled with immeasurable love.

Our scars testify to the healing of natural wounds, yet the scars I am now referring to testify to the healing of a rupture not in the skin, but in the soul of man. The wound of sin separates us from God and if left unattended can get infected to the point of death, spiritual death. God created humanity so that it could enter into a loving relationship with its Creator. But love is a choice and we chose to reject that relationship inflicting upon ourselves the wound of sin, spiritual death and separation from God.

Earthly wounds can be healed with proper medical and even psychological attention, but the wound of sin can only be healed by divine intervention, by an act of incomparable love. This act of love was offered to us when the only begotten Son of God came to earth and offered himself as ransom for our sins. At the cross Jesus received the mortal wounds that would reconcile man to God. But his death was not the end of his story. Three days later Jesus rose from the dead in a glorious body, perfect in every way except one…his scars remained! This story is the epitome of love and the scars on Jesus Hands and feet will forever be a testimony to that love. Someone once wrote, “I asked Jesus, “How much do you love me?” He said, “This much” and he spread his arms and died.”

You may have scars (internal or external) that tell the story of a painful past. A past you regret or rather forget. But the scars of Jesus offer you total spiritual healing along with a peace that surpasses all human understanding. He suffered, bled and died in order to bring you back to Go, but he also rose again to be the victor over sin and death and offer you freedom in this life and the one to come.  Do you have scars that bring back painful memories and keep you trapped in the past? Look to the scars of Jesus and realize he suffered even more for you. He can set (heal) you completely from that past. Do you still have wounds that need healing? Turn to Jesus and let his scared hands touch you and make you whole once again. Invite him into your heart today.