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Hear current audio messages by Pastor Scott Burr at:
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Thursday, November 12, 2009

Heal the Wound, Leave the Scar

(Part 1)

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”
John 20:19-20

Many words could be used to describe Jesus’ disciples as they huddled together, behind closed doors, after Christ’s crucifixion…words like hurting, distressed, disillusioned, discouraged and wounded. The man that they had put their hope, trust and future in had been nailed to a cross. They were helpless to do anything but watch as the Roman soldiers pierce His side, sealing His fate, as the blood and water flowed. He was later removed from the cross and placed in a borrowed tomb…along with their dreams, hopes and aspirations.

Of course, the good news is that He didn’t stay there! After three days God quickened Him by the Holy Spirit and Jesus rose from the grave. He then came to those who were hurting, distressed, disillusioned, discouraged and wounded and spoke peace to them. The shepherd had returned to the sheep and the sheep knew His voice. However, Jesus did not stop there. He moved into the midst of them and showed them His hands and side.

There on His hands and side were the scars that identified Him as the one who was nailed to the cross and was pierced in His side. Although He had been healed and resurrected, He still bore in His body the scars of His affliction. Scars are caused by traumatic events. Isaiah the prophet described the brutality of Christ’s crucifixion this way:

“Just as there were many who were appalled at him, his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form (visage) marred beyond human likeness.”

Isaiah 52:14

It is these scars that Jesus chose to use to identify Himself to His disciples. He could have chosen to walk on water, cast out a demon, heal a blind man, raise the dead, or even still the wind and waves. Instead He identified Himself to them by showing them His scars. These scars were not pretty. They did not bring back pleasant memories for Jesus. They were, in fact, evidence that a traumatic event had taken place in His life. They were also evidence that His wounds did not kill him.

You see, there is a difference between a wound and a scar. According to Webster’s Dictionary a wound is defined as: “an injury involving breaking or cutting of bodily tissue. An injury or hurt to feelings or reputation.” Hurt, distress, pain and discouragement are often associated with it. A scar, however, is defined as: “a mark left after the injured tissue is healed.” It is a mark that expresses to others that you survived a traumatic event. A sign that you overcame your affliction. Scars mean that our wounds did not kill us, because scars don’t form unless the wound is healed.

Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com/

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