The term “father wound” gets talked about during Father’s Day and it is not complimentary.
This wound is suffered when fathers are absent, negligent, or even abusive. It may be intentional or otherwise. Father wound is what children bring into their adulthood. It has been observed that those having a father wound tend to have low self-esteem, display a heightened need for affirmation, and display an inability to break away from the past to form new relationships.
Thankfully, Father’s Day is not all gloom and despair.
Yesterday at church, singing Stuart Townend’s “How Deep The Father’s Love For Us” brought home a new meaning to father wound. I couldn’t turn away from the words as we sang how the Father turned away at the wounds of His Son:
How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
(italics mine)
This father wound was intentional.
Yet, in contrast to the father wound of an earthly father, this wound will lead to the healing of many. Paradoxically, it is a spiritual balm to wounded hearts and therapeutic oil for broken father-son relationships.
We get a glimpse of intentionality right in the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve sinned, God judged. He judged the serpent (Genesis 3:14) and declared enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent (v.15). Though not much is revealed at this time, Adam and Eve understood the implication of an intentional wounding in the future that would serve as a means of their rescue (Genesis 3:21; 4:1 ).
This father wound would be different.
It was given as a promise. A future hope of restoration, reconciliation, and reward.
Later through the march of time, God sends prophets and through many other means keeps the memory of this promised father wound alive. Among the prophets, Isaiah appears to be the clearest (or at least the most well-known) for his prophecy of the suffering Messiah: “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5, italics mine).
It would be another 700 years and more before the scene on Calvary would reveal the gore and glory of this unique father wound.
A time where the promised Seed of the Woman would be stricken, smitten, and afflicted. A time when He would be pierced, crushed, and wounded by the seed of the Serpent.
The Perfect Father permits the wounding of His Perfect Son. And what a wounding it would be.
A wounding unimaginable between the two who had together enjoyed a perfect and eternal relationship.
This father wound was vicarious, for it was intended for us. It was to be our wounds.
This wound was substitutionary.
This wound was not because the Son displeased the Father but because He pleased Him.
To what purpose? “…wounds which mar the Chosen One” — scars that will last forever, were planned from eternity past to “bring many sons to glory.”
This father wound is the balm for every wound.
As a father or a son living on this fallen earth, we have both been wounded and have wounded others.
This divine father wound is now for us an invitation. No more do we have to live in the regrets of the past, for the blood that flowed from this wound has the power to heal and restore.
Today, the Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth (Revelation 5:6), invites you to Himself, to a memorial Supper.
It is open to those who have been reconciled with the Heavenly Father through the wounding of His Son.
Invited to the Supper are those who have been brought into the wonderful family relationship of the Father and the Son.
It is for those who can truly sing,
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
To you is this invitation, to the bread and the wine.