Glorious scars
No one gets through life without scars. Some are small, others are large and some are disfiguring. We don’t like them but they are part of the story of our lives and remind us of dumb mistakes, accidents or even attacks. One man wears his scars as a reminder to us of how he emptied himself of power and glory to become one of us in our suffering and death (Philippians 2:6-7).
The scars of Jesus are still visible on his resurrected and glorified body. He showed them to the disciples so they would know he really was the one they saw crucified (John 20). When they told Thomas, who hadn’t been in the room, about seeing Jesus, he said, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe” (John 20:25, CSB). A week later, Jesus showed him the scars, with no recrimination. Thomas could only respond, “My Lord and my God!” (v. 28).
His scars show us not only that Jesus’ physical body was resurrected, but that he is still one of us. We see what our new bodies will be like, as he has promised (Philippians 3:20-21). Not only that, but his healed wounds are a promise of our healing, redemption and glorification with him.
The scars of Jesus are glorious and continue to tell the story of his life, death and resurrection, and for us who live in him, ours as well.
Study by Tammy Tkach
First published on 9 April 2024, at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com
Tammy Tkach is the Assistant Pastor of the Eugene, Oregon, USA, Grace Communion International congregation. She is a speaker and writer, and publishes a blog at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com
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