From Chronic Pain to Constant PraiseExemplo

The Ministry of Scars

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” — John 20:24–29 (ESV)

In the Old Testament, blood symbolized the life of an animal being killed for sacrifice. From the fourth chapter in the Bible, Abel’s blood cried out to God from the ground due to the injustice of his murder. 

In complete redemption, God brought his narrative full circle when his own blood mixed with the earth on the streets in Jerusalem as he dragged a 100-pound cross up a hill to his death. After all the blood poured out to redeem us with the sacrifices of the Old Testament, Jesus became the last and ultimate sacrifice: the perfect Lamb who took our place. 

Perhaps it’s because blood is so important to God that he designed our bodies to leave a mark when they heal. When something wounds us deeply enough, we are left with a scar. Although our bodies are beautifully designed to heal, I think God knew our free wills were also fickle enough to forget. 

I love that when Jesus returned to visit many disciples after his resurrection, he kept his scars. He was the King of the universe and had just defeated death! I’m sure divine plastic surgery could have been completed with a blink of his omnipotent eyelashes. Yet he chose to keep the marks of what the enemy had meant for his destruction.

After my miraculous third surgery where doctors discovered the source of my torment, I had an even bigger scar than from my previous two arthroscopic operations. Later, I realized that if you count all the scars from my three surgeries, there are seven scars in total on my right shoulder. In the larger scar, there are seven horizontal lines from seven stitches. And, just for the record, God completed this surgery after seven years of my shoulder being unknowingly torn. Seven symbolizes completion and perfection in the Bible, so with the power of seven forever etched on my arm, I knew God had sealed his healing on my shoulder. 

And yet I also know that now, being four years removed from my swimming career and the majority of my pain, without my scar I might forget everything that he saved me from. I would probably fall back on my natural instincts, ignoring the small instances of pain to remain productive instead of acknowledging them in remembrance of the worse pain from which they came. I’m so grateful God gave me a symbol of his faithfulness, forever etched into my skin. Whenever I doubt his goodness, all I have to do is look down and to the right.

What scars do you have in your life? Has God brought you through a battle that left scars, either literally or metaphorically? You cannot minister out of a wound, but a scar can be used as a powerful weapon against the kingdom of darkness. Let him heal you today, love. A scar is beautiful. Wear it proudly.

God, thank you that in all your divine power of the resurrection, you chose to keep your scars. Thank you for showing me the example in your Son’s life that what the enemy meant for evil, you can always use for good when I give it to you. Help me identify today if I am trying to minister to others out of a wound or out of a scar. If I’m still hemorrhaging, lead me to the forgiveness and healing found only in you. If I have a scar, show me where you would like me to use the testimony of your goodness to overcome the enemy. Amen.