The Mark of a Mission, part 2
Scars.
They aren’t pretty. If you look closely, you’ll see a scar that starts on my left eyelid and ends above my lip. It tells a story of my first run-in with a dog. It was 1 week before I started kindergarten and my friend’s dog tried to “dance” with me, but missed and caught my face. I was rushed to the hospital, covered in blood, and had 31 stitches put in my eyelid and upper lip. I started my kindergarten year with a patch over my eye. A scar was left on my face; one also remains on my life.
I also carry a scar on the upper part of the underside of my right arm. At the age of 7, I received a puncture wound from the tooth of a different dog when he became frightened and attacked. There is a permanent scar from the wound I received. And I will carry it with me for the rest of my life, reminding me of where I’ve been.
All scars tell a story. The marks left by my past remind me of where I’ve been. If I didn’t carry these scars, I most likely would have forgotten the stories long ago. But the scars remind me. They remind me of where I’ve been and, consequently, where I’m going. I will carry them the rest of my life.
You know, I have been thinking about Jesus’ scars alot lately. After Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection to new life, He showed His scars to Thomas, the one who doubted His resurrection. This means, of course, that in new life, Jesus’ scars remained. His new life and new body didn’t come without blemish. I wonder if this is so that we might be able to see His scars and remember His sacrifice for us. Will Jesus have scars in Heaven? His scars tell His story; I want to know His story deeply for all eternity.
Will I have scars in Heaven? Will I bear the markings of where I’ve been, of my stumblings? My scars often remind me of how the love of God has rescued me. Should I be reminded of that in Heaven? Of the saving power of Jesus in my earthly days? I wonder…
Jesus’ scars tell the story of His mission. Jesus said in Luke 4:18-19:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Jesus’ mission was fulfilled on the cross. His death and resurrection to new life was the fulfilment of His mission. And the scars that remain on His hands and side are reminders of His journey. They are the mark of His mission.
“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us;
he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.”
he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.”
Hosea 6:1
Yes, Scars do remind us of where we have been and how the Lord has gotten us through those “scaring” times. Your insightful comparison to Jesus’ scars was awesome.
I like this….the scars tell a story. I never noticed your scar. I think you are beautiful.