I recently heard a fantastic sermon by my friend, Dave Edwards regarding looking inward at the wounds that we have received over our lifetime. He provides some excellent insights into this complex topic while also giving us what the Word of God says about dealing with inner wounds. His sermon really got me thinking.
As I reflected on the word, “wound”, I saw clearly, Christ on the Cross with His many wounds. While this aspect of Christianity often keeps some from understanding its deep and profound meaning, when we fully understand what His wounds mean for us, it is a game-changer. Isaiah 53:5 reminds us that, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
None of us escapes this lifetime without enduring many different types of wounds. Physical, emotional, and spiritual. These easily relate to the Holy Trinity of the Father (emotional), the Son (physical), and the Holy Spirit (spiritual). Because we are made in God’s image, we possess emotions, reactions, feelings, thoughts, and perceptions. He created us to “feel” and to “react”.
Let’s take a look at how the human body heals. It is quite fascinating and as always, everything points to the Cross!
Stage I – Bleeding. The first important step the body does after it has been wounded is to stop the bleeding. Our lifeblood is our life force and we cannot live without the blood that flows through our bodies. When a cut occurs, the body goes into warrior status. First, the blood vessels narrow and constrict to restrict the flow of blood. Next, the platelets (the blood-clotting parts of your blood) clump together to form the clotting mechanism. And finally, collagen and thrombin are excreted to thicken the area like a gel-like substance. Basically, the body is creating its own, inner dam to stop the flow of blood. Pretty fascinating right?
Christ shed His blood for us to cover our sins. Leviticus 17:11, “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” Hebrews 9:22, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
Stage II – Swelling. Once the blood flow is reduced, the body moves into the stage of inflammation. Your white blood cells which are the bacteria-fighting blood cells rush to the scene. These guys are disinfecting and cleaning up the area. Then, the big guns come in called the macrophages which literally eat up and remove the debris.
Christ’s blood cleanses us. 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
Stage III – Rebuilding. Now the body begins the important phase of reparing itself. New cells and tissues are formed in the wounded area. As the new growth comes in, the wound itself becomes smaller as the tissue contracts with the healing.
Christ’s blood brings us new life. 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
Stage IV – Maturation. The final stage has the outer cells (the skin cells) grow back over the wound. New blood cells are also brought into the new growth to supply the much-needed blood and oxygen to the area. What is left, however, is a visible reminder of the wound in the form of a scar.
Christ sanctifies us as we grow in Him. Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Ephesians 4:14-15, “So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”
Therefore, the wounds that Christ took on for our sake, provide us with THE gospel message! The word, “wound” truly has an important meaning:
If you’ve experienced any type of wound, know that Christ took it all just for you. Allow His blood to cleanse and heal your hurts no matter how deeply they have cut. He provides the “salve” to your wounds through the salvation that He offers. He awaits!