Wound Care

“But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;”

Isaiah 53:5 NKJV

Learning how to administer wound care was never my career goal; it was the farthest thing from my mind. However, when my mother developed pressure ulcers and skin tears at the age of 102, I was recruited into service. Although squeamish initially, I soon adjusted and learned proficiency from hospice nurses. Ultimately, I was thankful that I took on this duty for my mother as she aged and regarded it as a sacrificial service of love.

Which parable teaches us about wound care and sacrificial love?

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Jesus told the Parable of the Good Samaritan during His conversation with a certain lawyer. The Lord confirmed that he should love his neighbor as himself. Then the young lawyer asked Jesus, “‘And who is my neighbor?'” (Luke 10:29 NKJV). Then Jesus told the parable, and at its conclusion, Jesus asked him which person was a neighbor to the wounded man. The attorney correctly answered, “‘He who showed mercy on him.’ And Jesus responded, ‘Go and do likewise'” (verse 37).

“Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7 NKJV)

What kind of person qualifies as merciful? Through the examples of a priest and a Levite, Jesus teaches us that it isn’t a matter of education and position. Both of these men saw the robbed man lying on the road–stripped, wounded, and half-dead– but they passed by on the other side without stopping. Likewise, many people in important positions of power and status also feel above serving those in need.

But then a most unlikely person came along. A Samaritan saw the wounded man and felt compassion for him. He bandaged his wounds, set him on his donkey, and took him to an inn to care for him. When he departed the next day, he gave money to the innkeeper to continue his care and promised to repay the innkeeper when he returned. This is another example of true compassion and sacrifice.

Compassion, wound care, and sacrifice define mercy.

The crucifixion of Christ reveals the ultimate degree of wounds inflicted on an innocent man. He endured the brutal thirty-nine lashes at the whipping post, a crown of thorns, slapping, spitting, and the burden of carrying His cross until collapsing under its weight. Nails were painfully driven into His hands and feet to secure Him to the wooden cross before being uprighted for all to look on His shame. His face was so badly bruised and swollen that He no longer was recognizable. Blood ran from His open cuts and wounds, and His breathing was excruciating and minimal. Christ loved us so much that He willingly laid down His life and became the perfect sacrifice so we could be saved.

Examples of Wound Care for Our Savior

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby (John 19:38-42 NKJV).

Although Jesus died at His crucifixion, the story of His sacrifice didn’t end at the cross. Although many wept over the suffering of the Lord, compassion and sacrifice came through Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.

Additionally, Mary Magdalene and other women from Galilee prepared spices and oils and went on a mission of merciful love after Shabbat. They brought them to anoint the body of their Savior on Sunday but discovered, to their amazement, that the tomb was empty!

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again“‘(Luke 24:1-7 NKJV).

The Ultimate Sacrifice of Love and Mercy

Jesus rose from the dead, just as He said. He paid for the world’s sins with His blood, and now the New Covenant lives. We can pray directly to God through Jesus who forgives us of our sins as we confess them. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, indwells us and communes with us. Our eternity is settled, and we know we will live in heaven with God and Jesus forever.

Do we need wound care?

The good news is that Jesus binds up our soul wounds today. We can run to Him to find love, comfort, and healing when we’re hurting. We can trust Him with our deepest agonies and sorrows.

‘Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light‘ (Matthew 11:28 NKJV).

Dear God, thank You for binding up the broken-hearted and giving us rest for our souls. May we emulate the Good Samaritan to bring wound care and comfort to those in need along life’s path. In Your Son’s Name we ask, Amen.

Wound Care by Karen Jurgens copyright ©2025 All rights reserved.