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(by Roy Irwin)
You may find this hard to believe, but just about
everyone has a scar somewhere on their body.
And with every scar there is a story to go with it.
I learned this lesson at a gathering where most of the
people did not know one another very well and
appeared to have little in common. As you might expect,
there was a lot of small talk as each person more or less
kept to themselves. Then the hostess introduced
an 'Ice Breaker' - a question meant to jump-start the
conversation by getting everyone to participate. Each
person was asked to share their personal "scar
story" - a story about how they got a scar.
As we went around the room everyone shared their
particular story; some were funny, some very serious.
But with each story we learned more about the person.
It became obvious that everyone had more in common
than was first thought and the walls that had once
separated us began to disappear, bringing us
closer together as a group.
As I was remembering that meeting I was reminded of
my own scars. I have three: one on my foot caused
when running barefoot in a field as a child; one on
my forehead from a college prank - it becomes more
noticeable each year as my hair becomes less noticeable;
and one on my hand, caused in a moment of anger just
a few years ago...
For every scar there is also the memory of the pain
that went with it.
I was trying to imagine what it would be like if Jesus
shared about His scars. About how He was mocked
and beaten. About how He suffered the cruelest form
of death by being nailed to a cross. About how He
lived a sinless life yet would bear your sins and mine.
About how He knew since the beginning of time those
events would take place, yet He came, willingly, to take
our place - paying a debt He didn't owe because we
owed a debt we couldn't pay - removing the sin that
separates us from God.
One day we will see Jesus face to face. We will see
His scars and know the truth from Romans 5:8: "But
God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While
we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (NIV)
For you and for me.
"Dear Lord Jesus, thank you loving us so much that
you were willing to die for us so that we could live
with you for all eternity. Help us to see the world through
the scars in your hands. Help us to live each day for you.
Amen."
You may find this hard to believe, but just about
everyone has a scar somewhere on their body.
And with every scar there is a story to go with it.
I learned this lesson at a gathering where most of the
people did not know one another very well and
appeared to have little in common. As you might expect,
there was a lot of small talk as each person more or less
kept to themselves. Then the hostess introduced
an 'Ice Breaker' - a question meant to jump-start the
conversation by getting everyone to participate. Each
person was asked to share their personal "scar
story" - a story about how they got a scar.
As we went around the room everyone shared their
particular story; some were funny, some very serious.
But with each story we learned more about the person.
It became obvious that everyone had more in common
than was first thought and the walls that had once
separated us began to disappear, bringing us
closer together as a group.
As I was remembering that meeting I was reminded of
my own scars. I have three: one on my foot caused
when running barefoot in a field as a child; one on
my forehead from a college prank - it becomes more
noticeable each year as my hair becomes less noticeable;
and one on my hand, caused in a moment of anger just
a few years ago...
For every scar there is also the memory of the pain
that went with it.
I was trying to imagine what it would be like if Jesus
shared about His scars. About how He was mocked
and beaten. About how He suffered the cruelest form
of death by being nailed to a cross. About how He
lived a sinless life yet would bear your sins and mine.
About how He knew since the beginning of time those
events would take place, yet He came, willingly, to take
our place - paying a debt He didn't owe because we
owed a debt we couldn't pay - removing the sin that
separates us from God.
One day we will see Jesus face to face. We will see
His scars and know the truth from Romans 5:8: "But
God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While
we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (NIV)
For you and for me.
"Dear Lord Jesus, thank you loving us so much that
you were willing to die for us so that we could live
with you for all eternity. Help us to see the world through
the scars in your hands. Help us to live each day for you.
Amen."
Midi: The Old Rugged Cross
