"Show Me Your Scars”

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From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me

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Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.

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We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;

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persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

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We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

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For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body.

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So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

Isaiah 53:5,11

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But He was pierced for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,

and by His stripes we are healed

11Out of the anguish of his soul he shall seei and be satisfied;

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,

make many to be accounted righteous,

and he shall bear their iniquities.

2 Corinthians 2:14-17

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But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

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For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,

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to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

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For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

I heard Abba say, "Unless you bear the marks of Christ, you will have no portion with me."

Friends, we live in a material world which equates financial prosperity alone with blessing. Unfortunately, this view has crept into the church. Now we have churches who equate their "anointing" with how many congregants attend their services. They see themselves as belonging to God because of how much tithe money they have accumulated after their latest conference. But is this the true "mark" of the hand of God on a person or congregation?

A few days ago as I sat in prayer I saw a vision in the Spirit. I was looking into a Kings dining hall. Here in the hall sat a beautiful and ornate table covered with the finest of foods. There were plush chairs, all fit for a King, seated around the table. Next, I saw one man walk up to the table and sit down. He was wearing a robe covering bloody marks and scars and sitting upon his head was the crown of thorns.

It was Yeshua!

He sat alone at the table as I watched a few others begin to walk up. One of the King' servants stood before the table and stopped each guest as they approached. He asked each one the same question,

"Where are your scars?"

I watched as one after another turned and went away sad that they were unable to sit at the table. But every so often one man or woman walked up, visibly torn and tattered, and I heard the Kings servant say,

"Good, come and sit at the table the Father has prepared for you and all who have loved His appearing."

Friends, it will not be our financial prosperity or the size of our congregations which evidence our relationship with the Father, it will be the marks and scars which evidence our relationship with Him through sharing in the sufferings of His Son.

In John 20:25-27, Yeshua has raised from the dead and Thomas is sharing his doubt as it is written

"So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord!' But he said to them, 'Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.' Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.' Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.'"

Beloved, we live in a world consumed with "doubt." You have been called to share in the sufferings of Christ so that your marks and scars would point people to the supremacy of Christ. God has appointed you to be filled with the Spirit of Yeshua, to bear His marks and scars as you experience much of what he experienced.

But just as it was for Yeshua it will be for you. You will "be raised up" through the trials and when others see your scars, they will learn the supremacy of His.

Hebrews 13:16 says, "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." No matter what opposition you are facing today. No matter how many wicked assaults are hurled in your direction. No matter how many people wrongly judge you, remember each scar is to become a window into heaven for someone.

Friend, the Scripture says, "All who desire to live a godly life in Messiah will be persecuted." Accept your lot. Stand firm in faith. And show love to your enemies and thus prove yourselves to be Gods True Sons And Daughters.

When we love our enemies, we become the aroma of Christ.

So friend, show the Father your scars and come and sit at His table.

For the glory you will experience at this table will far outweigh the agony and pain of the call.

Our Prayer

Father, thank you for giving us the courage to endure all things for the sake of the Gospel. Even if everyone around me refuses to love others as you have loved us, I choose love. I have spent time with you Father. In your Presence there is fullness of joy. Destroy any remnants of provide within me. Grant me the ability to raise up my voice and declare with Yeshua, "Father forgive them they know not what they do." Thank you for showing us the vision of your table. Thank you for telling us how we must come to you. With our scars and all. You are so good. We honor you today and worship you. The Crucified Messiah King is Risen! And He has taken His seat at your table. May we be worthy to follow in His footsteps. For your glory alone. Amen

A Word from Our Father

My child, the vision of the table has come from me. There is no other way into my Presence than through the scars of my Son. I have appointed you not only to read about them but to experience them. Your rejection by men means acceptance from me. You are being tested to forsake the world, that you might gain an inheritance in my Kingdom. I see your scars. I know the pain you have endured. I know the words of those who claim to know me but do not. Love them as I have loved you and so prove to be my disciples. A seat at my table is waiting. I have prepared a table before you in the Presence of your enemies and mine. Come and dine with me and I with you, and you will find that every scar collected in the pursuit of me and my Kingdom will be worth more than all the riches of Egypt! Come to me my son/daughter, the time to sup with me has come. I have spoken.

Devotional Song

Friends, as we worship this morning, lay everything down which hinders you from intimacy with Christ! Worship Yeshua and He alone and you will be refreshed!