Words from Bede Circuit
The wounds of love (Luke Ch24:35-48)
Dear Friends
Hope you are keeping well and safe.
Jesus said to the apostles: 'Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see'….He said the same thing to Thomas in John Ch 20: 'Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt and believe.'
One might have expected the risen body of Jesus to be whole and without blemish. Yet, not only is his body still scared, but it is those very scars which help the disciples to recognise him. Those scars were the wounds caused by humiliation, torture and crucifixion. Jesus showed his wounds to the apostles. Why his wounds? Firstly, those wounds show that the risen Jesus is the same person who was crucified. Secondly, because those wounds were the proof of his love.
Those who care about others pick up a lot of wounds as they go through life. Perhaps there are no great wounds but only a multiplicity of little ones- scratches, wrinkles and welts. Yet these are only the visible wounds.
What about the myriad of invisible wounds: the furrows left on the mind and the soul by hardship, worry and anxiety? And those piercing ones which affect the most sensitive part of us – the heart – things like disappointments, ingratitude, betrayal. Emotional hurt hits you in the gut and can be harder to deal with than physical hurt. But these wounds are not things to be ashamed of. They are the proof of our love. Will anyone see these wounds and come to believe in our love because of them? Even if no one else sees them, God sees them, and is proud of us, for God sees that we resemble his Son, Jesus. We must not look at a person's achievements only, but at his/her wounds and scars.
Jesus didn't hide his wounds for they were proof of his love. He invited the apostles to touch those wounds. It was by touching and being touched that they were healed of their unbelief. His wounds give us hope in our wounds.
By his wounds we are healed.
Sunday worship continues on Zoom at 10.30am.
Bible studies resume on Monday 19th April at 7pm and Thursday 22nd April at 10.30am looking at The First Letter of Peter.
Wednesday prayers continue at 10am.
There are Whypay Sunday services and worship at home sheets. Please contact your pastoral visitor or minister for more details.
Revd Matt Sheard`s District Testimony service will be held on May 29th at 4pm. Only invited guests can attend so it will be available via Zoom. Details later.
With good wishes and prayers
Revd Huw Sperring on behalf of the Bede Circuit staff team.