April 7, 2024

Today's Reading: John 20:19-31

Daily Lectionary:Exodus 20:1-24, Luke 4:1-15

…Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. (John 21:19b-20)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Scars tell a story. I got a new scar on my chest not long ago. I had gallstones, one the size of a golf ball. That’s got quite a story behind it. Others have scars on their arms, legs, faces, and those come with stories too. Some of them are entertaining. But some of them are difficult stories, with a lot of pain behind them. And for some, the pain is still there. Those are the scars we hide. There are also some scars that we can’t see, buried deep down. Emotional scars, some of which have not fully healed.

All of these scars tell a story. A story of when we were hurt. I’ve been asked more than once, “Will we still have our scars in the resurrection?” After all, the disciples put their hands on Jesus’ scars. And it was by those scars that we believe. But we really do want our painful scars gone. Isn’t that why Jesus came? Isn’t that why Jesus died? To make those scars that hurt us go away?

Yet the scars of Jesus also tell a story. Scars from the whip. Scars from the nails. The scar from the spear. These tell the story of Jesus saving you. Jesus got all those scars by paying for your sins, by dying in your place, and by giving you His perfect life in exchange.

Jesus didn’t die to take away your scars. Heal your wounds? Yes. Bear your pains? Absolutely. But those scars are too important to hide away. Too important to remove. Because scars mark the place where a wound has healed. If your wound is still open, Jesus is there to heal that wound. But when healed, the scar remains. Your scars, all of them, mark the place where Christ has healed you. They mark the place where Jesus is with you even now.

Because you share your scars with Jesus, those words, “Peace be with you,” now mean so much more. There is not a single sin that isn’t forgiven. There isn’t a single wound that can’t be healed. There isn’t a single death which hasn’t already been overcome. And every day you see that scar. Every day you feel that scar inside. Every day that scar reminds you of the painful story that goes with it. It is also a reminder that Jesus died for that. Jesus rose for that. Jesus is with you right now for that. You have His peace. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord by the stripes which wounded Thee, From death’s dread sting, Thy servants free

That we may live and sing to Thee. Alleluia!  (LSB 464:5)

- Pastor Eli Davis is pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, Oregon.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.