LOVE WOUNDS

Photo courtesy of Miriam G

This post is taken from my book, The Perfect Savior, a forty-day Easter devotional published by Our Daily Bread. Order from Amazon or BarneyCargile.com

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When my granddaughter, Olive, was six, she was heating soup on our stove. She leaned a bit too close and poof! Her dress erupted into flames. I quickly patted out the fire with my hands. Thankfully, Olive was uninjured, but a few seconds longer and her hair could have caught fire.

For several hours, I nursed my burned hand. Then I witnessed a fascinating phenomenon. A large heart-shaped blister formed on my palm. I showed Olive, but in typical six-year-old-style, she nodded, and merrily skipped away. Despite her less-than-grateful- reaction, I’d risk injury again in a heartbeat and willingly endure pain to prevent her from suffering.

Just as I bore the consequences for Olive’s carelessness, Jesus paid the penalty for all our sins. “He took up our pain and bore our suffering … He was pierced for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:4-5). In the process, he acquired love wounds—not one measly blister, but huge spike-shaped holes in his hands and feet. He took the heat for us, by enduring the most painful form of death known to mankind. Without hesitation, he’d do it again. He endured the cross “for the joy set before him” (Hebrews 12:2). To Jesus, it was an honor to die for us. In a tiny way, I can relate. I was honored to bear love wounds that saved my granddaughter.

How many times do we react to Jesus’ sacrifice in the same ho-hum way Olive did? She wasn’t heartless. She was a six-year-old kid who didn’t grasp what I did for her. We’re the same. We thank Jesus for his sacrifice, then move on to “more important matters,” like watching sports or perusing social media. We’ve heard the story so often we grow numb to its impact. Make sure we pause each day and thank Jesus for his love wounds.  

Ponder:

• In what ways can you learn to be more grateful for the love wounds Jesus endured for you

• How can you avoid growing numb to his great sacrifice?

Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Isaiah 53.

 Lord Jesus, thank you for the love wounds you acquired for my benefit on the cross.