Scars

My 15-month-old granddaughter gently moved her finger across my cheek, touching my face. I wasn’t wearing makeup when she arrived at my home that day and when I picked her up, she gently touched the left side of my face where I have a scar.

The scar is the result of Moh’s surgery due to skin cancer. When I wear makeup it’s not as noticable but when I am exposed without makeup, it’s pretty blantant. It screams, “look something happened here”. Well at least that’s what I think, so I rarely go out without makeup. I am better about it and will occasionally go out without makeup, but often times I do not want to see someone look at me and wonder. I have thought so many times, if I could wipe away the scar I would.

That was not the case with Jesus.
He kept His scars.
He could have made them disappear; He is God.
But He didn’t and maybe He did it for you and me.

Jesus was pierced on his side and had nails in His wrists and feet when He was on the cross. Once resurrected He appeared to the disciples first showing them the scars and they were overjoyed. Thomas was not there at the time and the disciples told him about Jesus. Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

A week later, Jesus came through lock doors and was among the disciples in the room. He said, “Peace be with you”. Knowing Thomas needed proof Jesus said to Thomas ²⁷ “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Jesus was gentle with Thomas allowing him to feel and believe for himself. God is good to us that way. We aren’t able to physically touch the scars of Jesus but it is a beautiful thing that He uses others to gently touch us in our time of need. 

Thomas needed to see for himself and replied, ²⁸ “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

I don’t know about you, but I am keeping my scar. I learned a lot going through the skin cancer process and needed God to get me through it. It was not easy having a hole cut out of my face and in some ways, it was very traumatic. But sometimes scars are good reminders that we have been healed. And when I look at my scar, it’s more about believing God and seeing proof that I have been healed. I want my granddaughter to know that scars happen because we live in a fallen world but that her God can make beautiful moments and memories from those scars. I will always remember that day and gentle touch through my sweet granddaughter reminding me that God cares for me and loves me…scars and all.

Where are your scars? Some are physical, some are emotional, some are spiritual, some are mental, etc. We all have them and it is what you choose to do with them matters. Do you need proof that your scars have a purpose?

Ask God.
Believe in Jesus.
Confess your sins.
Stop doubting and believe.

Jesus said, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

May you believe and have life in Jesus name.

Amen

John 20:19-30