The Scars That Heal
Dear friends of Hilton Baptist Church,
If you were to look closely at my hands you would notice some scars and each one has a story.
On my left hand between my thumb and forefinger there is a half inch scar. This scar is the result of a screwdriver that slipped while I was assembling a chair. Just under the back of my middle finger on my left hand there is an almost unnoticeable scar. This came from my own stupidity while working at a dog shelter when I tried to pick up a dog treat from a dog cage. The dog inside the cage wanted to let me know the treat was his, not mine. This was the first time I ever sustained a wound that required stitches. Yet another dog at the shelter lays claim to an additional scar on my right middle finger. A cute white cocker spaniel seemed friendly enough until I tried to pet her. I quickly learned she didn’t want to be touched, at least by me.
As I mentioned, each scar has a story behind it and each has taught me valuable lessons. We all have scars. Some are visible while some may not be as visible. During the season of Lent it can be beneficial for us to reflect on our scars in light of the scars of Jesus. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 53:5 that “by his wounds we are healed”. The Apostle Peter repeats this in 1 Peter 2:24.
A number of years ago I preached a message entitled “How much does a life cost?”. The basis of this sermon came from an experience I had on a recent trip to South Africa. To make a long story short, over the course of days spent on a farm working and sharing Christ’s love, a teen shared with me her own invisible scar of ongoing physical abuse. Through God’s grace, before we left the country this girl was on a path leading her to get the assistance and support she needed. She had experienced the scars of Christ and in doing so began the healing process of her own scars.
In the middle of that sermon I played a video. The video was based on the old Mastercard credit card commercials you might remember and went something like this…
Cost of an African drum? $20
Cost of a plane ticket? $1500
and the final screen…
The cost of one changed life?
3 Nails.
This young girl’s scars told a sad story, but the scars of Christ began a new story for her. The scars of Christ would not remove her scars but would help to bring healing to those scars. Her scars would be part of a new story, the story of being set free and finding a fresh hope-filled life in Christ.
During this season of Lent I invite you to look at your own scars, whatever they may be. Look at these in light of the scars of Jesus. It is by His wounds we are healed.
With Grace and Peace,
Pastor Dan
Categories: Pastors Message