A very impactful and important thing Jesus often does for me in my own prayer sessions is show me His scars on His hands. Time and time again, I am reminded of His love for me when He does this. I’m also reminded:
Of His perseverance.
Of His power.
Of His pain.
Of His unconditional love and what it cost Him.
Of His victory. Over sin, over death, over the enemy.
As a kid, did you ever have those conversations with friends about your scars? I remember with a few different friends in elementary school laying outside together or in our sleeping bags at night, sharing about our scars. I remember holding out my hand so the skin would pull tight on the scar near my thumb, and it would stand out a little more from the pattern of my palm. I’d tell of the how, the when, the who, and the play-by-play of the accident, the hospital, the emotions, and the delight I had when no needles needed to be involved. Then, my friend would share her scar story, and we’d go back and forth until we were tired or our scars ran out. As little girls, my friend and I felt a bit empowered by our scars. Looking back, it’s like we felt we could take on anything, and we knew that was the case because we had the scars to prove the things we had overcome.
Holy Spirit has tuned my eyes and ears here, perhaps because I’ve been in a season where a lot of what I’m working through has seemed to be places where I still need healing for my wounds. I’ve been thinking a lot about scars lately and how much they matter to God. So much so, that Christ’s glorified body still bears the scars. It must matter, then. Right? For the time being, I think so.
A couple of weeks ago, I sat across from a dear friend at coffee, and as I shared about a tender wound, I flippantly dismissed my feelings about it. “It doesn’t matter,” I said, and my friend quickly corrected me, “Yes it does. It matters.”
Since coffee, I’ve spent some time reflecting and thinking more about Christ’s wounds turned into glorious scars, what that means, and what He’s asking of me.
“I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” John 16:33 (MSG)
“He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.” Colossians 2:14-15 (CSB)
“I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” Revelation 1:18 (NLT)
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-15 (ESV)
Thomas Sees and Believes (John 20:24-29)
-After reading through these scriptures, what comes to your mind?
-What wounds do you bear at the moment?
-Could there be an invitation to put them before the Lord?
Now, I hope when you read through those questions, you can imagine my tone. It’s one of deep compassion. I have and am currently walking through fires and know the deep pain of a wound. But is there a way we can glorify the Lord in the wound? Weaponize these wounds as we wait for our beautiful scars?
I read an article this weekend (linked below), and my breath was almost taken away:
“Jesus lays up his wounds before the Lord, for his wounds were his weapons, and this is why he wears them still.”
-Spurgeon, The Wounds of Jesus
This is that upside-down Kingdom we live in and what I believe the Lord is calling me to with the wounds I bear! So, instead of just praying for the pain to end, let’s begin praying for scars. Let’s pray for wisdom and discernment to weaponize our wounds. Let’s look to Christ and the reality of what His scars tell the story of today:
Death = defeated.
Sin = paid for in full.
The enemy = defeated and stripped of authority.
Pain = suffered through without sin and overcome.
His greatest battle = won.
A few things to remember:
Remember the gospel of His Kingdom. Remember His words. Look back to the stories He’s left us to read, imagine, and experience through Holy Spirit’s guidance. Christ didn’t go to the cross in any sin, but in sacrifice and unconditional love. He weaponized His wounds. By His wounds, He has healed us all. Jesus met with Thomas in His doubt, and He will meet with each of us. And just as Christ suffered, lived a perfect life, and died for you and me, He is making us perfect, too. He will ready His bride. Might we learn to weaponize our wounds in the meantime?
Remember in times of woundedness:
-Jesus is who He says He is! He can be trusted to be who He’s told us He is. Read through the gospels and ask Holy Spirit to open your eyes, ears, and heart to who Jesus is.
-He is near you.
-He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
-He will not forsake you or leave you behind.
-In Him, you will have peace.
-He understands, sympathizes, and will deal tenderly with you.
-He doesn’t desire you to be defined by any wounds, but by Him.
-He will weaponize your wound if you turn to Him with it.
-He doesn’t take away your choice.
To wrap things up, perhaps we could end with this.
Christ’s wounds matter.
Through His wounds, He’s saved, healed, and freed us all. He’s defeated sin, death, and the enemy through them, and He lives to show us His victory through His scars. Which could mean that our wounds matter, too. I’m not sure if our bodies will bear scars in Heaven or on the New Earth, but we read that His will still be there. Telling the greatest scar story there ever was.
Would you pray with me?
Father, in the name of Jesus, thank you for sending your Son. Thank you, Jesus, for keeping your scars in your glorified body! They are beautiful reminders of who you are, what you’ve done, who and what you’ve defeated, and a promise that we don’t stay wounded. In times of pain, would you by your Holy Spirit remind us of these truths? Would you help us come to you with any wounds? Instead of our flesh or the enemy using them, would you weaponize them for your Kingdom? Would you give us wisdom and discernment to see and know the truth? We bless you Father, Son, and Spirit and ask that you would continue to lead, guide, comfort, and heal us. Body, soul, and spirit. Come and cleanse us now with streams of living water and place your healing balm where we need it. We love you and need you every moment. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
