Blueness of a Wound

Submitted by Alan Marsden on Tue, 13/12/2022 - 00:00

In previous years we had a modest wild flower garden along the chapel’s western gable. The soil is shallow and poor, but the wildflowers seemed not to mind. This year, I never got my sowing done in time, but some eccentric looking plants grew there anyway. They are Viper's Bugloss, and their attractive blue flowers have proved a hit with the local bee-life. Most of the previous year’s flowers failed to seed, germinate or survive; these blue beauties returned in their splendour.

Proverbs 20:30 says The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly. Although other translations speak not of the colour blue, the AV emphasises the hue of bruising. So often, we Christians learn more through bruising than cruising. As I stated on Sunday morning, pain is a better teacher than pleasure. It is worth noting that the Hebrew High Priest wore a blue ephod. Our Great High Priest was battered blue and spattered red that our own bruises and wounds might be healed and our readmission to Eden generously purchased. 
 
Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Bruised and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
full of pity, love, and power.

Joseph Hart