“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” (John 20:19-20 NIV).
One of the things that has come out of this pandemic is a change in location of my barber shop. I now frequent the Janice Lepore home of “Fine Hair Styling.” With buzzer in hand, she creates a marvellous display of #7 masterpieces. Her speciality is eyebrows. She loves the eyebrows. (LOL) Trimming my eyebrows can be a challenge because of the scars that surround my eyes. I have a good deal of scarring, thanks to a car accident, hockey, doubles badminton and flying pieces of ice sent my way by my brother. Each one tells a story. I got thinking about the scaring around my eyes as Janice trimmed my hair the other day. It sent me to reflecting about Jesus scars and what they represent to me.
His scars reminds me of His love: a love that sent Him from the eternal Fellowship of the Trinity into our world, a world He created yet humbled Himself to serve (Philippians 2). He came to identify fully with our human condition – all the good things and all the bad things we go through. It means that He understands and is there for us. He came to die a vicious and cruel death again because of His love and it is that love that will never leave us and will see us through (Romans 8:28). And those nail scarred hands remind me that He is coming again to snatch away His church, to establish His Kingdom, to reign in righteousness and to act in His “Perfect Will.” At the end of His reign, God will bring in the Eternal State and we will enjoy it forever. Oh what a day that will be! All because of his “nail scarred hands.”
I close with a hymn that I do not know very well. It was written by a Baptist music editor B.B. McKinney who taught at Southern Seminary. He wrote it after attending a huge Sunday school conference where the speaker sounded a strong evangelistic message “Put your hands In the Nail Scarred Hands.” It is a hymn of encouragement, grace and faith that I hope reminds us of the love of Calvary. It is entitled “The Nail-Scared Hand.” I have shared the hymn because it reflects Christ’s never ending presence with us as we have trusted Him in saving faith. My friends, as His followers, He is with us – He “…is our dearest friend!” May these words assure you again of His love! Mr. McKinney went home to be with the Lord at age 66 when his life was suddenly taken in an automobile accident in North Carolina.
Have you failed in your plan of your storm-tossed life?
Place you hand in the nail-scarred hand;
Are you weary and worn from its toil and strife?
Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand.
Chorus: Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand,
Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand;
He will keep to the end, He's your dearest friend,
Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand.
Are you walking alone through the shadows dim?
Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand;
Christ will comfort your heart, put your trust in Him,
Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand. [Chorus]
Would you follow the will of the risen Lord?
Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand;
Would you live in the light of His blessed Word?
Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand. [Chorus]
Is your soul burdened down with its load of sin?
Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand;
Throw your heart open wide, let the Savior in,
Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand. [Chorus]
Source: Baptist Hymnal 2008 #513
God bless you have a great week as He lives by faith in you and me!
– Love Pastor Ralph
