If you’ve ever been wounded or have felt the need to hide the scars away from painful times in life, know that you’re not alone.
Even Jesus faced great insults, wounds, and pain — more than we could ever imagine. And He had scars that He chose to carry with Him.
In this passage in John, after the Resurrection, we see Him come back to the gathering room where he met with His disciples:
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace by with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:19-22).
Sometimes I’ve wondered why Jesus didn’t choose to let the scars fade away. He gained victory over death; He made all things new. Yet He still carried the scars in His hands and side.
2 Things Jesus Teaches Us from His Scars
1. The scars are a powerful part of our story. Maybe Jesus knew we’d need to be reminded of this truth throughout our own lives: His scars, and ours, are all part of His beautiful story at work. They are visible reminders that He redeems, heals, and restores.
He gives great purpose even through the most difficult seasons of brokenness and grief. And the scars are left there to prove it. We have victory through Christ alone, our Savior.
We often try to hide away the scars, preferring instead to present to the world a safe façade of who we are — a more perfect version. It’s too difficult to risk the real vulnerability of exposing what is truth. There are lies that will tell us we’re unworthy.
That, because of the difficulties, we’re somehow rendered useless, unable to ever be fully healed. We may feel the need to hide the scars; or struggle with feeling tossed aside, forgotten, shamed, or rejected.
Yet God’s truth breaks through those lies, for we are never too broken for restoration. Jesus was not ashamed of the scars He carried, neither should we be.
Whether outward scars or those inner deep crevices that line our hearts and souls, the broken places of our lives, they all have an amazing story to tell.
Brokenness has the power, unlike anything else, to bring forth new beauty, strength, and encouragement to others.
Because it’s often in those moments when we’ve tasted deep suffering, that perhaps we noticed more than ever before — we were made for more. A greater purpose. A deeper faith. A stronger hope.
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31).
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold (Job 23:10).
“Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5).
2. The scars are the evidence God heals: We have a Healer. One who repairs and redeems. He works, often behind the scenes, mending, fitting broken pieces together, creating a powerful story, more than we ever dreamed possible.
He makes all things beautiful. Especially in the broken. Even with the scars. All from His grace.
And that is what Jesus came to do. Bringing life to what’s broken. He was willing to take on the brokenness of the world in exchange for our freedom.
Our healing is never intended to be invisible. But beautifully lined with shining grace through every scar and broken space.
Hope-filled crevices of our heart, now stronger, better, more beautiful than before. The scars are all part of our beautiful story. For they are the evidence that God heals.
We don’t have to doubt His greater purposes for our lives, even in the grief and battles we’ve faced.
For God knows our ways, He understands our pain, and He will use every scar and broken place to share His message of hope to a world that needs healing and grace.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3).
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
...by His wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).
Prayer for Healing and a Fresh Purpose
Dear God,
We praise you, for you alone are able to do far more than we could ever imagine. Thank you for your mighty power, which acts on behalf of those you love. We acknowledge your Sovereignty and believe you are restoring and redeeming every place of difficulty in the battles we’ve faced.
Forgive us for sometimes doubting that you are with us, or even care. For you remind us again and again of your protection and covering over us, as a shield. You walk with us through every struggle and bring healing to the heartache, loss, and wounds we’ve suffered in this life.
Thank you that you will never waste our pain, but will turn it all around for your greater glory in a world that so desperately needs your love. We thank you for your covering of peace and huge grace over every broken place.
We love you Lord and find reassurance in these scars we carry today, for we see how you’re at work bringing blessing, healing, and hope.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Remember: No matter what we face in this life, we are held secure by a mighty God and healed by His great power. He has good blessings still in store. His scars, and ours, are there to prove it.
For further reading:
Why Did Jesus Use the Same Body After the Cross?
How Does Satan Distort Our Thoughts on God’s Truth?
Do Christians Have to Smile All the Time?
5 Powerful Verses for When You’re Struggling with Fear
How Does God Make Everything Beautiful in its Own Time?
Can There Be Joy in Suffering?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/jchizhe
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