“The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.” Psalm 129:3
I have a scar on my leg from a burn when I was 11 or 12 years old. It is visible, sometimes kids will ask what’s that from (a three-wheeler if you must know). It has healed, but the scar or mark will remain with me. From different life events, I have some emotional scars too. Of course, no one sees those, but they are just as real as the one on my leg. They have healed and through that process, they have helped me grow and change and they remind me of how I need God during times of hurt or suffering that can cut and leave a scar.
Maybe you have some scars as well, visible or not. The Jewish pilgrims had some scars, their heritage had left some from generations past. On their journey walked by groups or areas they had fought against in years past, had tension with, or even served under that had caused scars internally and sometimes externally.
For us today our understanding of this passage looks a little different than it did for the original audience, but I think that is why Jesus gave us a powerful reminder. John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Trouble, suffering, and even scars will come, BUT we have Jesus! We hold on to Jesus’ promise, his power, and his work to give us the ability to live with the scars we have.
Paul had a lot of scars! He reminds us in Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Jesus gives us peace, he gives us hope, so we can live in the hope of his promise like Paul. Don’t be ashamed or afraid of the scars you have, instead take heart, Jesus is with you. Maybe you have some cuts that haven’t healed yet or some scars you’re still hurting from. Let me encourage you to talk to Jesus, talk to a friend, talk to us, we are here to help.
Pastor Jeremy
Family Pastor