Scars

 After saying this, He showed them His hands and His feet.  Luke 24:40

Luke 24:40 is part of a passage of Scripture where Jesus appears to His disciples after His resurrection. When they saw Him, they were greatly frightened, even thinking He was a ghost. He spoke peace to them, told them that it was really Him, and as proof, invited them to look upon His scarred hands and feet. Marks of His crucifixion and proof that it really was Him. In this passage, I see something that speaks both to pastors and to all those who are devoted followers of the King. One does not become either without coming to bear the marks, the cost of being a shepherd of the King as well as a sold out disciple. It takes more than a degree, a license, or a certificate of membership in a church. Paul said that he bore on himself "the brand marks of Christ." So must every true pastor and every true disciple of Jesus Christ.

As pastors are rightly honored this month, in the midst of all they may be honored for, may they be most honored for the price they have paid for following, obeying, and above all, being crucified with Christ. To be a pastor, a true pastor, is to bear scars of wounding. It was predicted of Jesus that He would be "wounded in the house of His friends." He was, and so too will be those who give their lives to service in His Kingdom. Oftentimes wounded severely, and by those that they love and have given themselves to. Oftentimes not intentionally, but sometimes, tragically, with full intention. The King's shepherd will, like Paul, bear upon himself the brand marks of Christ. There will be scars to show for it, but for the ones who oversee the flocks of His people, they are scars gladly borne. They are the marks of devotion, of dying to all self interest so that they may live for His interests. That they will, as He did, lay down their lives for His people. Protecting them from the wolves without, and especially, the wolves within. When you look upon your pastor, you'll likely not see visible scars, but if they are His pastors, the scars are there. To be a pastor, to be completely His, is to undertake a life that cannot be lived out apart from His grace, presence, and power. It's an impossible life without Him, but it is a life unmatched by any other when He is with you. In their wholehearted devotion to you, look for the scars. The eyes of faith will see them. The scars are the proof of their calling.

This month, may we honor pastors everywhere, from the most visible of places of service to the most unseen. Honor them for all they do and for all they give, but most of all, honor them for their scars. They bear upon themselves the brand marks of Christ.

Blessings,
Pastor O