I was marked. Seeing the mark on my hand made me think of the marks Jesus obtained by his crucifixion.
My mark came from the ink identifying wheelchair size. 18 stands for eighteen inches in width. While working with others to obtain a good fit for one of fifty people from Guatemala City in need of a wheelchair, my grasp transferred the ink to my palm.
People came with family members, some carried, some rolling on broken wheels, others being dragged, all imprisoned by their lack of ambulatory abilities. All constrained to a life void of hope and freedom.
Being given a new chair, properly sized and fitted, tears of friendship and freedom flowed freely, taking away the oxygen in the room and replacing it with God’s Holy Spirit. Individuals beamed with love, God’s love, as each was prayed for and returned home.
In Luke chapter four, Jesus announces his call and mission, including release to the captives and the recovery of sight to the blind. Paul says “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” – 1 Cor. 3:17.
Christ’s marks from crucifixion freed us from our sins, freed us from the necessity to pass judgment upon others, and freed us to simply love God and love our neighbors …. not just some, but everyone.
Christ’s mark of freedom were the scars from a wounded hand. Mine simply read eighteen. What does your mark look like?
Breaking Yokes 