The Deepest Wounds

“My wife poked my eye!” he replied with a raising anger on his face when I asked him why it was red and the upper eyelid puffy.

I was busy last night. Screening one body after another at the prison’s Intake where the arresting officers were lined up at times, waiting for me to call their arrestee [s]. My only rest was when the Female Side would also call me in between if there were female arrestees with medical or mental health problems who were brought in.

He had a “buzz cut.” His muscular appearance told me that he must be like them, serving in the military. His face, appeared haggard despite the young age. I asked him if there was any medical issue with him.

“Yeah, my right knee was blown up when I was in Afghanistan,” he added.

I took a look at his right knee. It was not swollen nor deformed. But inside, he related about the pain that sometimes would be intolerable. That he was scheduled to go see their doctor again this Monday, the 12th for an MRI. Despite my reservation to speak with friendliness, I looked at him with so much gratitude for the service he had done and is still doing.

The pain on his right knee did not seem to bother him when I was screening him. It was more of the argument and the physical altercation that had occurred between him and his wife that night that made him angry. He was arrested for injuring his spouse, perhaps, hitting her back after she poked his eye.

“Sir, I will have you see our doctor if they end up booking you in. So that the treatment for your knee can continue.”

He got up. He was tall. Well-built. He didn’t smell like alcohol. He was appropriate so I knew he was not under the influence of any substance. I didn’t see any visible scars. His steps were close to normal. But his right leg with a slight limitation with every stride. But I knew at that time, that it was his deepest wounds that hurt him the most. A broken and bleeding heart marred by a collapsing marriage. Only time could tell. If it would ever heal.

The Bible teaches us to continue to do good despite being wronged, when our usual initial reaction is to get even. Jesus taught about keeping the desire not to keep score but to love and forgive.

“An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth….” It was not for personal revenge in Moses’ times. It was to limit revenge. And God did the same thing. “Wounds for wounds…” The atoning work of death on the cross was done and fulfilled to help those deepest, unseen wounds heal…

“But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!” ~ Isaiah 53:5

Yes, Jesus’ suffering resulted to forgiveness and is made available to all wounded people. Yes...all of humanity.



By His Wounds [Mac Powell]

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

We are healed by Your sacrifice
And the life that You gave
We are healed for You paid the price
By Your grace we are saved
We are saved

He was pierced for our transgressions
And crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

We are healed by Your sacrifice
And the life that You gave
We are healed for You paid the price
By Your grace we are saved
We are saved

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed
And by His wounds, by His wounds

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

For more uplifting posts, please visit Spiritual Sundays, a special place where special friends gather. Thanks to sisters Charlotte and Ginger.