Wounds Yet Visible
In the following post, I’ll share two storylines that will be connected at the end. Here goes…..
Recently, Claire, Jonathan’s 7 year old and third of four children, asked him about a scar she noticed on his chin. He told her the story of a bike wreck he had at age 7. I remember our outing well which was before the days when old and young wore helmets for such activities. Pat was leading. Jonathan was next. Anna and I were in the rear. She was 3 years old and sat in an attached seat on the back of my bike. We convinced Jonathan that he would be fine riding down a hill we were approaching. He was hesitant, legs shaking a bit, but finally agreed to brave the hill. As we began the descent, Jonathan took a horrific tumble. I honestly don’t know how many times he flipped, perhaps three or even four. I screamed and hurried to the sight of the accident. A thousand scenarios went through my head in an instant - broken neck and head trauma, to name a few. Jonathan’s first words to me were, “ I think I landed on a cushion.” He truly seemed okay except for the bleeding gash under his chin. “Cushion”… I hadn’t often used the word, and hearing him use it was rather odd. A cushion. He landed on a cushion. We assessed that he might need stitches and headed to the ER. Mama lived nearby, so I suppose we borrowed her car. I don’t really recall those details . After some hand squeezes with his dad during 7 stitches, we went home. I couldn’t get out of my head that he said he landed on a cushion. He even repeated it later. After all that repeated flipping, there was one simple wound in his chin. There was a presence of angels in the unseen that day. Of that I have no doubt whatsoever. Maybe these sent to guard our ways consulted quickly and decided that allowing for a bit of a scar would be a needed reminder of the day’s event. The evidence of the accident is still there, but the scar grew as he did and now rests more on the front of his face. I took a look at it the other day after he told me about Claire’s inquiry.
A few years ago, I was reviewing the words of a much loved hymn, Crown Him With Many Crowns. After all these 60 plus years, I realized I had been singing a part of it incorrectly. Here’s verse 4 according to the Methodist Hymnal, Number 327, “ Crown him the Lord of love; behold his hands and side, those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified. All hail, Redeemer hail! For thou hast died for me; Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.” I had been singing “wounds invisible” instead of “wounds yet visible.” What a revelation. Of course his wounds are still visible! They witness to what Jesus has done for all mankind. Isaiah prophesied and Peter repeated that it is by His stripes(wounds) we are healed. More descriptively Isaiah 53:5 says, “ But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.” His wounds are glorified and beautiful - visible into all eternity. Even now, I pause and ponder the magnitude of what He has done for us.
One of Jesus’s 12 closest friends named Thomas had to see and touch the scars for himself. He needed to be convinced that It was truly Jesus. Scars matter. Our scars matter to Him. We all have them - the visible ones in our flesh and the internal ones that are perhaps mostly unknown to others. Show Jesus yours. Don’t hide them. Touch His and let Him touch yours. He will make them beautiful.
Angels laid out a cushion for Jonathan those 30 plus years ago. They allowed for a wound and a 7 stitch scar that would serve as a memory of their protection and helping presence. I’m glad Claire asked him about the scar because it brought back the memory of that day. It caused me to pause and ask Jesus about His scars and to recall again His life-giving sacrifice for us. His “yet visible” wounds are a wondrous reminder.
Jonathan Lyons circa 1990
