The Scars
30 Days in John - day 28
Scars tell a story.
A sudden fall, an unfortunate accident, a necessary surgery leaves behind an imperfect signature, a hard seam of flesh marking the line where the body had stubbornly given way and was pulled back together again. They remain as quiet reminders of past pain and trauma.
The evening of the Sunday of the Lord’s resurrection Jesus stood among the disciples and His first act was to hold out His hands and point to His side to show them His scars. A week later Thomas, who had not been there when Jesus appeared, declared he would not believe unless he too saw and touched the scars.
Jesus obliged him.
I have been asked if our scars will still be visible after we are raised from the dead. My answer is a definitive maybe. They are, after all, a part of our story. Possibly they will remain to remind us of all that God has carried us through. What we can know with certainty is Jesus’ scars remain. They are the visible eternal reminder of His death for us.
There is a resurrection polemic in Jesus scars as well. When Jesus appeared a few days after His crucifixion, these were not open wounds in the process of healing. He didn’t have seeping wounds needing bandages and antiseptic care. Some have posited the idea that Jesus didn’t die on the cross but merely fainted and then revived in the coolness of the tomb.
The scars tell us otherwise. Wounds, especially the kind Jesus had, don’t heal and scar that quickly. Something else happened. A resurrection occurred. Jesus showed the disciples and Thomas where the nails had pierced His hands and the sword had riven His side because they testified, not only that He had died, but that He is risen from the dead.
Jesus physical appearance was attended with words as well.
To both the gathered disciples and Thomas he said, “Peace be with you.”
And this is the point of the resurrection appearances is it not? Jesus did not appear to these men and women merely to astound them. He appeared to comfort them, to assure them, and to confirm in them the greatest truth of all…
Because Jesus died, was buried, and rose again from the dead; those who believe in Him are at peace with God.
Scars tell a story. Jesus scars tell a gospel story of peace.
