Isaiah 53:5

“Do you have any identifying scars?” That was one of the questions that we had to answer at our induction into the military. It was a sobering question. Life on earth doesn’t come without scars. Most of us have a scar and a story to go with it; if not on the body, certainly on the heart.

We bury scars with talk of them being made new, but being made new is not being removed. I am talking about the scars that were made by sacrifices of love. The worn and calloused hands and hearts of parents who gave the best of their soul to their family, the bleeding hero who gave a life to save a life; and a long list of scars that came because of love for God and others. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend…” Proverbs 27:6

The Bible describes a most beautiful sight in Heaven. John saw “a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne…” (Revelation 5:6). Those scars were for you and me.

Jesus said to Thomas, “Look at my hands, touch my side and believe.” Are there some people who have scars because they loved us; parents who worked hard to provide, loved ones with wounded hearts because of our rebellion or choices, the people who stepped in when we needed someone? How much sacrifice has been made for our wellbeing and happiness? How much have we taken for granted? Today is a good time to remember and be thankful.

“What are those wounds in Thine hands I see?
Jesus, my Savior, I pledge to Thee
All that I am or ever can be,
Because of those wounds in Thy hands I see!”