Dr. Seuss sermon on scars.

john 20:19-31

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

Jesus and Thomas

 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’

 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, 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. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

The Purpose of This Book

 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. 

Sermon:

In the kingdom called dart, where they’re not very smart,

they all walk around with their hands on their heart.

This doesnt mean they held hands to their chest

they wanted to see the hearts, to knows who’s was best.

So gently outstretched there hands did contain,

their hearts gently cradled, it was quiet insane.

And overtime from within, a champion arose,

who’s heart was just perfect, they all did suppose.

The heart was kept safe in a small box of gold.

No pictures, no touching, post cards could be sold.

And all came to see it, by land, air, and boat.

“My heart is just perfect,” this young man did gloat.

---

Too see this heart, your eyes felt amazed.

It was reddish and purplish, and many veins mazed.

It beat strong with great rhythm, it kept time like a clock.

Not a blemish was found, there were no points to dock.

---

And then the day came, an old man walked up,

He looked and he smiled at the cocky young pup.

“I too have a heart, we should compare.”

To which the young man said, “Show me if you dare.”

So out of his cloak he pulled out his heart.

And the sight of it did give the people a start.

And they stared in confusion at the heart of this man

It looked less like a heart, and more like canned spam.

It was yellowed, and scarred... it beat out of time.

It smelled of strange things, like tuna and lime.

The young man just looked, he was very confused.

The old man said “Look, it’s been very well used.”

Hearts are not meant to be kept in a box,

hearts are not meant to smell like clean sox.

Hearts should be used... just look at mine.

You can see my whole life in every fine line.

That bump over here, that was a hard day.

My best friend had moved away to pompay.

This cut here happened when I was divorced.

It wasn’t fun or pretty, our love was very forced.

---

Your heart is fresh, that is plain to see.

But how it can love is what’s beautiful to me

Scars of all sorts, it’s love they record.

Like Jesus showed Thomas, to bring him accord.

Hearts should be used... like Christ, take a look.

No matter the cost, we were not forsook.

Christ’s scarred heart loves us, it’s very plain.

Our hearts are opened, so that Christ may reign.

---

The young man was shocked... he looked on in awe.

The old man stared back... a smile on his maw.

Taking his heart, the young man did tear.

A tiny part off... the heart showed some wear.

Then to the old man the young man did give.

A piece of his heart... he was starting to live.

The old man did likewise, they started to smile.

And both of them now were better off by a mile.

Hearts should be used... just look at this tale.

You can see new life born as Christ’s gifts prevail. 

Around the scars of the crucified one.

Now risen to show us his love by the ton.

We gather and know that His Word is still true.

All things completed, life for me and you.

Thanks be to God for the hands feet and side.

Scarred to bring life... so all may reside. 

With the full love of God, known faithfully in trust

The one who is scarred to love the people of dust.

Amen.