The Easter Question: Hast Thou No Scar, No Wound?
Leading up to Easter, I’ve been thinking about this question for weeks now.
Hast thou no scar? No wound?
A poem by missionary Amy Carmichael lodged those few words in my mind decades ago when I read a biography about Amy’s life. A missionary from Ireland to India for more than 50 years, Amy never took a furlough, meaning she never went back to her homeland. Instead, she started an orphanage that saved countless young girls (and later young boys) from prostitution associated with Hindu religious practices.
Bedridden from an injury the last 20 years of her 83 years of life, Amy devoted those years to her writing and to administration of the sanctuary she had created called Dohnavur. This poem reveals Amy’s deep understanding of the gospel.
Hast thou no scar? Hast thou no scar? No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand? I hear thee sung as mighty in the land; I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star. Hast thou no scar? Hast thou no wound? Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent, Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned. Hast thou no wound? No wound? No scar? Yet, as the Master shall the servant be, And piercèd are the feet that follow Me. But thine are whole; can he have followed far Who hast no wound or scar?
It’s safe to say that Amy Carmichael had wounds, her own, as well as the wounds she carried for others. She lived acquainted with suffering and grief. Like Jesus.
What’s suffering got to do with it?
Isaiah 53 graphically describes the death of Jesus on the cross. Isaiah’s prophecy pictures “the man of sorrows” wounded and pierced for our transgressions, the One led like a lamb to slaughter, the One who opened not his mouth either to defend himself or save himself because “it was the LORD’s will to crush him.”
The New Testament amplifies the meaning of Jesus’ suffering, adding that in their lives followers of Jesus will suffer too. “A servant is not greater than his master.” John 15:20
What personal suffering looks like varies as much as fingerprints. The fact that you and I suffer helps us to identify with the suffering of others.
The Bible’s message helps me see wounded people everywhere.
You and I see behaviors. God sees wounds.
God with us (Immanuel), Jesus came to identify personally with our sorrows and suffering. Jesus chose to suffer for our sins. Jesus bore the penalty for Sin on the Cross.
Jesus Christ God’s Son Savior.
The resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday demonstrates God’s love while at the same time His judgment of Sin. Jesus made atonement for our sins as the only acceptable sacrifice to Holy God.
Sacrifice: At-one-ment with God made possible. Life and relationship and peace with God through Jesus Christ. Redeeming Love. Wounds validated.
The Cross lets me see my wounds differently.
I have lots of scars on my body. But it’s the wounds no one can see that God tends to.
And because of the ways God has met me, I now meet other walking wounded differently.
I can see a bazillion footnotes to His story and give thanks for Easter.
3 Comments
Deborah Ferrell
Meeting the Walking Wounded is similar to what my Mother taught me as a child! Not the same words but the same principle! To see through our own sorrow into someone else’s sorrow, gives me a better understanding of people and their actions or words! My perception changes when I choose to look past my self and see others through the lens Jesus sees us through! Thank you Carol as always for sharing this with us!
Carol
I love that this reminded you of your mom. Heritage and legacy, pass it on.
Susan
Well Done, Carol.