Scars

John 20:19-31

Many people have a scar or two on their bodies, usually from surgeries or accidents.  Sometimes people have plastic surgery to remove the signs of a scar, particularly if it is on the face.  There is One who bears five scars on His body that will never be removed or covered up for all eternity. The Lord Jesus bears the scars of the nails in both hands and feet, along with the large, deep scar in His side from the spear which the soldier had thrust in.  As we read from our Gospel passage today we will see how it was the sight of these scars that led to belief in Jesus’ resurrection.

As our Scripture passage opens we find the disciples hiding together in a room behind locked doors (vs. 19).  They were afraid of the Jewish leaders who had just a few days earlier, arrested and executed Jesus. They were afraid that they, too, might be taken.  Suddenly, without the door being unbarred and opened, Jesus appears in the midst of them. The first thing He says to this frightened group is “Peace”. It is only Jesus’ death that can bring peace between God and man.

All of the disciples had had a difficult time believing that Jesus had risen from the dead when the women had told them earlier that day. Jesus used the scars on His hands and side to prove to them that He really was Himself (vs. 20). One of the twelve disciples, Thomas, was not present that evening, possibly because he wished to grieve the death of Jesus in private.  When he was told by the others that they had seen Jesus, Thomas scoffed (vs. 24-25). He claimed that he would not believe unless he saw the scars in His hands and side. Those scars must have meant a lot to Thomas, scars that he felt so bad that Jesus had received.  We shouldn’t be too hard on Thomas, as the others had been reluctant to believe when Mary Magdalene and the other women had told them.

One week later, when the group was gathered together, including Thomas, Jesus suddenly appeared again.  He called Thomas over and told him to put his fingers into the scars to prove who He was (vs. 26-28). Jesus did not rebuke Thomas for doubting.  He met Thomas where he was in his faith, and provided what he needed. Thomas responded with great faith. He not only believed that Jesus rose and was Messiah, he believed in and proclaimed Jesus’ deity (vs. 28).

When doubts lead to stubbornness and unbelief then doubt is bad. However when doubts lead to honest questions and honest searching, then God provides answers that can lead to belief.  When our faith falters, trust our Guide through life, and do what He says, trusting His instructions. Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see with our human eyes.  We may not be able to see God at work in a specific instance, but we should still have confidence in Him. Jesus stated that we are blessed if we believe without seeing a sign (vs. 29).  We have all the proof we need in the Bible.

In verse 31 we read the reason, the goal and purpose as why the Apostle John wrote his Gospel.  He wrote his account so that we, those who read, may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, God’s Son, and have eternal life in His Name. When we come to saving faith in Jesus, we then have a commission which He gave us (vs. 21). We are sent by God to spread the Gospel message.  Our authority in this task comes from Him. Jesus demonstrated by His Words and actions what we are to do. As the Father sent Him, so He sends us.  Jesus has given us the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit to do His work (vs. 22).

The scars that Jesus bears on His Body to this day are precious to God, and should be to us, as well.  He received those scars for love of each one of us. We are engraved and cut like scars, into God’s Hands (Isaiah 49:15-16).  We are like an open wound on His Hand, unforgettable, always there for Him to see. These scars of Jesus are a reminder of God’s love for us.