Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: BRAND (01/12/17)
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TITLE: Scarring | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gloria Pierre Dean
01/17/17 -
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His question sent me into deeper thinking. Many people assumed that they did. Normally, skin wounds heal and scars may be left since Jesus died as a Man.
I ask myself the question, “was the reason that the disciples on the way to Emmaus did not recognise him because of his severe scarring?”
Isaiah wrote that “His visage was so disfigured beyond any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness” *Isaiah 52:14.
So, Jesus had many scars from his crucifixion.
His words brought back a childhood memory of a school friend named Sharon. She went through periods of time when she had to hide her back in the gym room because of the scars and marks left by her stepfather’s whip. One day Sharon said to me “I feel such shame. This was my stepfather’s way of teaching me a lesson." In Sharon’s heart the marks would never fade. “I feel that he had branded me forever” she said.
Years later I met Sharon again. I noticed a sadness about her. We talked at great length about many things. She confessed to me “ The outward scars are gone now. I have forgiven my stepfather but there are deep hurts because of the unfairness of the beatings I received at his hands. I had to look after him on his dying bed too” she added.
Another perspective on scarring is that it may cultural and deliberate. It may be seen by some as honourable. It is called scarification. I had seen such scars on the face of Africans and wondered about them. Research revealed that historically rural Africans deliberately scarred the faces of children to ward off evil spirits, however modern day tattoos, which are a form of scarring are mostly done by experts on willing paying customers who wish to declare what they believe or enjoy.
Even clothing, cosmetics and cars have a type of scarring. Their design names are displayed on them. Car model, labels or designer tell customers what to expect and many people make choices based on that fact. Cosmetics are often labelled ‘not tested on animals’ - this factor is called ‘cruelty-free'. Farmers place specially unique markings on their sheep and cattle in order to identify and legally prove ownership. This is a much used method used to prevent them from being stolen.
At the soulish level, sin can leave marks. It is a type of scarring.
“For all have sinned…..” said Paul in Romans 3:23. So, it may not be physical marks that we see, but the Lord knows if we sinned. We have souls that are invisible to human eyes. Human sins may leave marks that only the Holy Spirit knows and only He can heal through the Blood of Jesus.
In conclusion, scars, tattoos, designers’ names and labels are all displayed in various ways and in different dimensions. They serve to publish to all a meaning that may have been enforced or chosen.
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Last critique, make sure to proof read. You left some words out, which makes it difficult to follow in some spots.
Again, very interesting article. Thank you for sharing.
God bless - Trudy