Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” (John 20:24-25)
Recently, a young man came to Church with his hands tied in a white handkerchief. I noticed this, when I was ministering. After Church, I engaged him, as a first time visitor. I discovered that he is a mechanic, and in the line of his duty, he got a finger chopped off at the tip, with the whole of the nails on that finger. I knew how painful that could be, because I suffered that before. I spoke to my wife, (a nurse), and we immediately took him to the hospital, and he was attended to. The very tools he was using in the line of his work turned against him in such a painful manner. We wish him speedy recovery.
I shared this incidence to make a point that there are dangers and risks in every occupation, usually referred to as occupational hazards. As long as you are doing the work assigned you, you will likely sustain certain scars and bruises. A butcher or a coconut seller risks cutting off his finger or entire hand by the very tools he uses. Therefore, do not get so mad and upset against your employer for hazards sustained. Some are due negligence; others are just so necessary!
Today, I want to share with you the scars and bruises of our Jesus Christ, who sustained several bruises and scars on His body in His quest to saving the world.
In our society today, and to talk a little more on our young ladies, they do not ever want to see any traces of scars or bruises on their bodies. For them, scars and bruises are shameful, disgraceful, and intolerable. They must at all cost seek medical intervention for plastic surgery or seek other means to correct or remove all traces of scars and bruises on their body. Ladies and gentlemen, I have several scars and bruises on my body, but I am not ashamed of them. On the contrary, they remind me of how they came to be, and I can show them forth as evidence of my past life of hassles and struggles.
In John 20:19-28, Jesus, after His resurrection showed up in the midst of His disciples who were locked up in a room for fear of the Jews. He breathed on them and blessed them. But as it is the lifestyle of some even in our days to skip the assembling of the brethren, one Thomas was absent in that meeting. He certainly missed that blessing Jesus pronounced upon them. Later, Thomas was informed about the encounter with Jesus Christ. He took the side of doubt, and vowed that he can only authenticate their claims when he sees Jesus face to face, sees in His hands the print of the nails (the scars and bruises), and to put his fingers in the print of the nails, he will not believe any such reports from his colleagues. After eight days, when Jesus saw that Thomas was in the meeting, He showed up again. It is thus reported –
And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:26-28)
Notice that when Jesus showed up, He first addressed Thomas, and dared him to come examine Him. Jesus had resurrected with a glorious body, yet, He kept His scars and bruises sustained in the line of His duty as Savior of the world to erase the doubt of an unbelieving man. Those scars and bruises were sustained from the very tools that made our salvation possible – the nails, the spear, the whipping canes and claws, and the crown of thorns. These were the tools that played a role of scars and bruises which would be turned in evidence to proof the “doubting Thomases”
Your Jesus was not ashamed of the bruises and scars on His body when He hanged on the cross between two criminals on Calvary’s tree. Your Jesus was not ashamed to resurrect with scars and bruises on His body. Your Jesus was not ashamed to publicly show the scars and bruises on His body, even to those who doubted His suffering and resurrection like Thomas. Your Jesus was not ashamed to ascend the heavens with scars and bruises all over His body. And as of date, your Jesus, our Lord and advocate with God is seated at the Right hand of the Father with scars and bruises still on His body.
Why then do you worry and get ashamed to show your scars?
Young lady, why do you think you need plastic surgery to correct those scars on your body? Don’t you know your scars and bruises tell your story? Your Jesus, the Lord, is still Lord with scars! Do not be ashamed of yours, because, it does not change your identity and mission! If you ask me, your scars and bruises are your testimonies of how far the Lord has brought you! Never allow anyone to suggest to you a concealment of your scars which are living proofs of God’s goodness to you! Jesus was not ashamed to tend in evidence His scars and bruises. And Paul the Apostle was proud to present his scars (2 Cori. 11:23-33).
The fact that Jesus came in timely to first address doubting Thomas means leaders of the Church must take immediate steps to clear every doubt or anything shrouded in doubt, before doubt becomes an acceptable believe. Doubt is infectious, and must be cleared off soonest! Had Jesus not cleared the doubts of Thomas timely, he would have carried out an opposing gospel of the resurrection. When Thomas saw the evidence he called for, he confessed, and not denied, saying – My Lord And My God! (John 20:28).
It is possible for a group of people to worship God, and having some doubt, and never believe in Him! (Matt. 28:17)
In conclusion, I say to you all,
“From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” (Galatians 6:17).
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Blessings!
Your friend,
Rev. TT Daniel the Revivalist
Rev. TT Daniel is an international Speaker, Preacher and a published author of several books. To book him for your events, send us email: founder@pleasantpentecostal.org. You may also reach us on phone number: +233 249 527 503.