October 5, 2017
“..Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side. The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant.” John 20:19-20 The Message
No one can compare to him. And yet, when you encounter him, you realize that he’s just like you. You’re not sure what to expect .. condemnation .. disapproval .. maybe just silence .. or furrowed disappointment? The walls crumble in your heart and all the defenses come down .. why? Because Jesus simply opens his hands and you see his scars. One look into his eyes and you see how much he understands you .. loves you .. and wants you back. It’s not like he went anywhere. It’s more like you’re the one who turned away .. looked in another direction .. or decided that He must have had enough of your stumbling around .. asking for another chance .. or heard one more do-it-my-way. So you expect his rejection and maybe even judgment. You deserved it. You’re all ready to walk away .. defeated .. dejected .. and desperate … AND THEN IT HAPPENS. Jesus reaches across all the pain .. brokenness .. struggles .. failures .. addictions .. and lies .. and grips you with his scars. They’re just like your scars, only deeper .. and healed. Your scars are too real .. too painful .. too filled with fear. His scars invite you to know over and over that He’s come for you. Your scars are exactly what he is looking for. Then he asks you to join him .. to follow him .. to be a scar finder. No religious words are required. No formula is expected. No amount is demanded. Instead, written on his hands are everything you ever did or will do! It’s unlike any tenderness you’ve ever heard or expected. There is a terrible sound of raw power in his voice and yet it falls on your heart like softness. Is it really Jesus? Why now and not way back when you really needed him? Why now when it feels too late? Why now when you’ve quit asking .. quit praying? What answer can he possibly give? Again, he looks at you without defense .. without anger .. with two hands open .. hoping you will reach for one .. the one with scars. He says you’ll be scar finder now. They’re everywhere. It only takes a moment …
“..Human strength can’t begin to compete with God’s “weakness”. 1 Corinthians 1:25 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent to the fellowship of scars following Jesus (kchesterp1@gmail.com)
Grace Gripped 