John Gordon was a respected general for the South
in the Civil War. After the war, he was running for the United States Senate,
but a man who had served under him in the war, angry over some political
incident, was determined to see him defeated. Everyone knew this man would fight
Gordon's bid to become a senator.
During the convention, he angrily stamped down the aisle with his anti-Gordon
vote in hand. As he saw Gordon sitting on the platform, he noticed how his once
handsome face was disfigured with the scars of battle -- marks of his
willingness to suffer and bleed for a cause he believed in.
The old soldier was stricken with remorse. Overcome with emotion, he exclaimed,
"It's no use; I can't do it. Here's my vote for John Gordon." Then, turning to
the general, he said, "Forgive me, General. I had forgotten the scars."
What a difference it makes in our lives when we remember the scars! With so many
things to distract us, we don't often take time each day to reflect on what
Jesus went through on the cross for us. But, when we are tempted to stray, it is
a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice that has the power to draw us back to him.
"He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; The
chastisement for our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed."
(Isaiah 53:5)
May I encourage you this morning to take a moment to pause and "remember the
scars".
Alan Smith
alansmith.servant@gmail.com
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