Beautiful Scars

The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 20:25-29 (KJV)

Scars are evidence of what we’ve been through and how God brought us through. They speak of pain and suffering; what we’ve endured. They are a reminder that there is healing after the pain.

Jesus was crucified with spikes in His feet, stripes on His back, and a crown of long, painful thorns pressed into his head. Jesus suffered so much for us. The wounds are still visible on Jesus’ body to show for all eternity how He suffered and died for us. Jesus was not afraid or ashamed to show Thomas His wounds. His scarred hands and side turned Thomas into a believer.

Scars are marks, or reminders, of an injury that took place and has since been healed. Jesus wants to use our scars, our healed wounds, to bring others to Christ. No matter how deep the pain, the scars are a reminder that Jesus took our pain and that He is our Healer. Our scars show others what we’ve been through and how Jesus brought us through and healed us. Jesus takes our scars and turns them into stars; stars that shine bright and lead the way to the Savior.

The scars of Jesus remind us of Who he is: Savior, Redeemer, Healer, Friend, God, and Lord. Jesus shares His scars with us and we can share ours with Him. This vulnerability brings an openness for a deeper trust and relationship with Him. Scars can bring to our remembrance victories we’ve gained, the success we’ve attained, and who Jesus made us to be compared to who we once were. Our scars help us to keep believing in Jesus. They show us that through it all, we overcame by faith in the Lord.

We can show off our scars because they are a beautiful reminder of all Jesus has done for us. And Jesus’ scars remind us all how much we are loved.