won't you lay hands on me

transform my tragedy

A sermon for Ash Wednesday on Matthew 18:1-9

Once a year, at least, our scar shows up.

…Do you have any scars? 

Are they especially visible? 

If they are I bet you’ve gotten comfortable having to explain your scar. Because that’s the thing about scars, isn’t it? They show something we usually like to keep hidden…

But once a year, our scar shows up.

“Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

…If we’re being honest, it’s little uncomfortable. Isn’t it?

To have our scar show up. And in such a public place.

If nothing else it makes for an intimate evening. Doesn’t it? 

…All of us walking around with our scars showing. 

I’ve come to learn, too, that intimate is the right word. 

It’s not a somber night. Is it? It’s not morose. It’s intimate.

All of us seeing  each other for how we really are; scarred.

…Sometimes on Christmas Eve I will talk about seeing each other bathed in soft candlelight, and getting a glimpse of how God must see us. 

And that’s true; but it’s only partially true. Isn’t it?

Because we’re not just innocent little cherubs, are we? 

We’re also sinners. 

And we have the scars to show for it. Don’t we?
“Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

And once a year, that scar shows up…

Hard as it may be to show that scar, though, and it is hard; it’s not as hard as we’re afraid it will be. Is it?

The truth is, there’s something nice about the intimacy of this evening. Isn’t there?

To we see we’re not alone. That we’re not the only ones who carry the scar of our sin and death. 

And, here in the church, we also experience the freedom of, for one night anyway, not having to hide that scar…

Which is nice. 

Over the years I’ve come to learn how having our scar show up here in the church, isn’t painful.

That’s rarely the case, though. Isn’t it? 

It’s rarely a good experience to have our scars show up. Usually when that happens, all our scar reveals is something we carry deep shame about. I know that’s how I feel about my scars of sin and death, shame.

But, having our scar show up here in the church, is different from having our scars show up in other places!

Because having our scar show up, in the church, transforms what our scars reveal!

Tonight is not a night to rehash your failures. To wallow in your short-comings. 

Tonight is to hear the promise that, ultimately, your scar will not define you!

That’s so hard to hear; so I’m going to say it again. Your scar will not define you! __________, your scar will not define you. 

__________, your scar will not define you. 

And neither will any of yours. Or mine.

The truth is, our scars are always there. Aren’t they? And, they’re always showing up. In a thousand different ways. 

Most of them not especially helpful…

But tonight, our scar shows up in the church… 

Which is the difference, that makes all the difference. 

Because here in the church, we’re given the promise that’s STRONGER than our sin! The mark that’s more ENDURING than our scar! 

The seal of Jesus Christ, and his cross! 

The promise that he comes to take our scars upon himself!

Have you ever noticed how when Jesus is resurrected he’s still scarred from the crucifixion; BUT when we’re, you and me; when we’re raised, we’re promised we’ll be fully healed?

Jesus has those scars in the resurrection, because he comes to take our scars upon himself! He is raised still wearing them, so that we may have the promise that our scars will not stay! That in the end, the only mark that will be left on is is the mark of Jesus’ mercy, and the healing it brings!

You who are scarred by sin and death, take heart; Jesus comes for the scarred like you and me. 

And tonight, our scar shows up…

Tonight isn’t about the fact that we’re scarred! It’s about the PROMISE that Jesus only comes for the scarred! That he comes to take our scars upon himself! That by his wounds, we have been healed!

And tonight, once a year, that scar shows up!

Which is the Good News! Isn’t it?

Beloved, Jesus is for the scarred! He is for you! And me, too! He is for the scarred like us!

As Jesus says himself, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” Jesus comes, not to call the righteous, but sinners. 

And tonight, that scar shows up!

Which makes us just the kind of person Jesus comes to call unto himself! To take our scars upon himself!

The Good News of this night, here in the church, is the bad news of every other night; that we’re scarred! 

Not because scars are good in and of themselves. But because Jesus, the good shepherd, only comes for the scarred!

Jesus’ mercy works a lot like an angioplasty. Before he gets his blood moving through us, he knocks everything else loose. Which is painful, but only for a while. Because once your scar shows up, Jesus’ healing begins!

After all, the ash you are marked with tonight is a tracing of the cross you were sealed with at your baptism!

And that’s the difference, that makes all the difference!

Once a year our scar shows up…

It’s an intimate thing, isn’t it? All of us walking around with our scars showing. But ultimately it’s a good intimacy. 

For it is an intimacy given to sinners who have a promise that’s stronger than our scar. An intimacy that bids us stop pretending we’re fine. An intimacy that comes from the promise that Jesus is has taken our scars upon himself, and he’s not about to turn back on that Good Work he’s begun!

So here’s what we’re going to do; we’re going to sing a hymn, and then you will be invited to come forward and receive the mark; not just of your scar, but in the end, of your salvation.

It’s a little frightening. Certainly intimate. But ultimately, it’s the best thing that could happen, for in the end, it will not be a mark of your scar, but Jesus’ healing and mercy!