Do You Have a Scar?

When I was serving at Ivey Memorial UMC in Colonial Heights, we had a little dog. One day while out with him, I stepped into a hole and fell on my wrist.  Both bones were broken and I had to have surgery.  I had a metal T-shaped piece implanted.  Two years later, I had that apparatus removed.  I have a scar on my left wrist that will always be with me.  It will always remind me of being wounded and also being healed.

When Jesus appeared to His disciples after His death, he brought His scars.  Thomas wanted to see the “nail marks in his hands”.  Not much is known about Thomas except in the Book of John.  Thomas is also known as Didymus which means “Twin”. Thomas was curious and Jesus invited Thomas to “put your finger here: see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side” (John 20: 25, 27).  Jesus wanted to demonstrate that He was the same Jesus. He rose from the dead with the scars of His suffering still visible.

Jesus’ scars prove that He was the Savior and tells the story of our salvation.  The nail holes in His hands, feet and His pierced side tell us the story of His pain and all that Jesus endured.  It also tells us that Jesus was healed for each of us.  Jesus died and came back to life so that each of us can be restored to Him and made whole.

The scars on my left wrist remind me of my broken wrist and my healing.  Jesus’ scars need to remind us that He died for each of us and that through His death and resurrection we can have life eternal.

Prayer: Jesus I love the story of your scars.  It tells me what you did for me and what your dying and resurrection means for each of us.  May I learn to love you more through the story of Your scars. Amen.

John 20:27 – See my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into my side.  Stop doubting and believe!

Author: Tommy Herndon