The Reminder of the Scars

It was a hot, humid Houston summer afternoon, when the best relief from the sweltering heat could be found splashing in the neighborhood pool. My best friend from 5^th grade and I were practicing our version of synchronized swimming with underwater flips. At the end of these routines, we would spring into the air with a gymnastic leap. There were no smart phones to record our graceless routine from that day, but I have a record of our practice session. Above my left eye, there is a 1-inch scar where my head collided with my friend’s teeth.

I was not a girly girl, so at the tender age of 10, I relished that scar on my forehead knowing that one day our military family would leave Texas and my dear friend.  My scar would always remind me of the summer fun my buddy and I had at the pool. Thirty-plus years later, I still smile and think of my dear friend when I look in the mirror.

In a society rife with plastic surgery and photo editing, it struck me how odd it is to treasure my scar. Yet, I am not alone in cherishing scars. Artists today depict the nail-scarred body of Jesus for Christians to remember His great sacrifice on the cross so that we might be saved. After the crucifixion of his precious teacher, Thomas, one of Jesus’ own disciples, insisted on seeing the scars of his master in order to accept his resurrection.

So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he 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.” John 20:25

Understanding the power of seeing the scars for himself, Jesus revealed his scars to Thomas:

²⁶ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” John 20:26-27

God sent His only begotten Son to us so that whoever believed in Him would not perish but would have eternal life. (John 3:16) Jesus is perfect and without sin, but to save us He has the scars of hanging on the cross for our salvation.

²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

I treasure these scars.  The scar on my forehead reminds me of a precious childhood friend and our summer pool days. Jesus' scars remind me of His sacrifice for us and His eternal love.  

Fingerprints of the Lord

Christine A. McCloy