His nail-scarred hands
I just saw something in the Resurrection story that I’ve never noticed before. I don’t know how I’ve missed this my entire life, but I did.
Jesus died a horrible, brutal death on the cross. And then He was divinely and supernaturally raised from the dead.
He received the ultimate healing.
All of His organs and bodily systems were revived. Though His heart hadn’t beaten for three days, it sprang to life again.
He was fully restored. Completely whole. Totally healthy.
But His scars remained.
We know because He showed them to His followers as proof that it was really Him, back from the dead. He even invited Thomas to touch His scarred hands and feel His marred side.
Jesus certainly didn’t need to bear scars. The power of God that raised Him from the dead could have easily removed the visible evidence of what had killed Him.
So there must be a reason He chose to keep His scars.
I don’t presume to know what that reason is.
But I can’t help but wonder.
Maybe He kept His scars so I would know it’s okay that I still have mine.
Amen.
Just amen.
Beautiful.
Scars are the proof of healing, I suppose. Undeniable evidence.
Powerful.
Just think, that was something He wanted to show you
at.
exactly.
this.
moment.
I wonder if it’s like Jesus saying to us, “I know what pain is, too. Your scars – some that only I can see – are a reminder between you and me of the times you have fellowshiped in My sufferings.”
@christypolek says:
Wow. Beautiful. Wow.
That is such a powerful thought!
I recently wrote this in a blog post, “And I know eventually, with more counseling, more coats of veneer and paint you won’t be able to see the underlying cracks. But I wonder if the cracks will ever fully go away. I wonder if I’d every really want them to.”
I’ve talked in counseling that if given the choice between remembering what happened or forgetting I would choose to remember. I would choose to carry the scars, even if it means that I have to carry their pain and burden. Because its not in the abuse where there is beauty, the beauty is in the healing. And the proof of the healing is the scars. How can we see how far we’ve come, if we don’t have the remembrance of where we started, of the scares.
Its like in Joshua 4 when God tells the Hebrew nation to build a memorial of stones to remember what God had done. And every time you see the stones you should remember and tell the story of God’s faithfulness. A wise women (aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot) wrote on her blog today, “And when we are actively remembering God’s faithfulness in the past, we see that the future is under His control as well.”
Our scars, Jesus’ scars are like the memorial of stones. And there is promise and beauty in those scared stones.
@gritandglory says:
“the beauty is in the healing.”
perfectly said.
yes….
Proof that scars can be beautiful. Thank God for Jesus!
@atangie says:
And maybe He let’s us keep our scars so that others know it’s ok to have theirs.
@maryjohess says:
Wow.
Had never thought about that either.
But I’m glad you did.
Now I have a picture in my heart that somehow gives me more comfort than I had before.
Thanks, girl.
Wow! That is mind blowing! I totally get what you meant about this blog and the last line of my comment on your last post… God is funny, isn’t He?
@Nomadstacey says:
Nothing missing, nothing broken came to mind when I read this. Shalom.
And, I can totally relate to the scars physically and emotionally. I have a hard time accepting these scars are beautiful and powerful. I always see them as a weakness and ugly. Maybe I need to do a 2 mm shift and remember that my Savior had them too.
@traceepersiko says:
I was talking about this idea with my mentor. He talked about how scars show the presence of a miracle. Healing, big or small, is a miracle. Maybe his scars show a miracle just like his resurrection.
Our healings, both inside and out, are miracles.
@gritandglory says:
i wanna hear more about that conversation you had!
@Nomadstacey says:
Me too!
Scars let others know that you have felt pain. Scars let others know they can talk with you.
I don’t know why I’m sharing this, but yesterday the husband ran into an acquaintance we hadn’t seen in about eight months. They were both grabbing the last of the bread loaves at the store, before the next storm hits. And the husband and he started chatting, with the husband asking him, “how have things been?” He expected some lighthearted banter about the snow, but instead he found his heart breaking as our acquaintance shared that they just buried his SIL the day before… and they lost their only child less than six months ago.
——
I know why bad things happen in this world, but sometimes I still don’t understand.
@bahava says:
“Scars let others know that you have felt pain. Scars let others know they can talk with you.” wow…I’ve never thought of my scars that way–such power in the “it’s okay” and “me too”
“Scars let others know that you have felt pain. Scars let others know they can talk with you.” Powerful. I’m saving that one in my quotes journal. So many of us have scars we want to cover up out of shame, and I wonder if Jesus is saying we’re to show them more. To show that the mark is there, but the pain isn’t, anymore.
@gritandglory says:
mmmm… that’s good, lisa!
@gritandglory says:
ugh. i don’t understand either, my friend.
look at how your words have impacted so many here today. i love love love that.
This is beautiful Alece, thank you…
Thought-provoking post.
It certainly supports the idea that everything has a reason–though so much is beyond my comprehension. It makes trusting that much more necessary.
You made me think of one of my favorite songs! I’m not a huge Point of Grace fan but, this is one of their more current songs. I hope this blesses your heart today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLnKj9Bwlec
This reminds me of an old Billy Sprague song that I loved in middle school…
Thorns on His head, Spear in His side
Yet it was a heartache that made Him cry
He gave His life, so you would understand
Is there any way you could say no to this Man
If Christ Himself were standing here
Face full of glory, and eyes full of tears
And He held out His arms and His nail-printed hands
Is there any way you could say no to this Man
How could you look in His tear stained eyes
Knowing it’s you He’s thinking of
Could you tell Him you’re not ready to give Him your life
Could you say you don’t think you need His love
Jesus is here, with His arms open wide
You can see Him with your heart if you’ll stop looking with your eyes
He’s left it up to you, He’s done all that He can
Is there any way you could say no to this Man
How could you look in His tear stained eyes
Knowing it’s you He’s thinking of
Could you tell Him you’re not ready to give Him your life
Could you say you don’t think you need His love
Thorns on His head, your life in His hand
Is there any way you could say no to this Man
Is there any way you could say no to this Man
I love that song!!
@PrudyChick says:
Okay I’m at the point of crying. I’ve never considered that either. I just went along with that He still had the scars. Yet he did have complete healing otherwise. And you are right He does heal us but sometimes the scars of our past remain. Whether they were caused by others or because of our own sin and/or foolishness.
I listened to a woman today that spoke at NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC this past Sunday. She was abused by four different men from the time she was 3 till she was 12. At 33 she found out that she was adopted and so was her brother. She talked about how even though Satan tried to throw obstacle after obstacle in her path God brought her through to being a healthy, grounded 43 year old who is bent of getting is Word out, and rescuing children who are being trafficked.
Praying for you friend.
@gritandglory says:
that was christine caine, wasn’t it? she is such a powerfully anointed speaker. with an unbelievable story.
and i love that you pointed out that some of our scars are the result of our own sin and/or foolishness. it’s easy for me to think of them as the result of others, but i have many that are my own doing. He heals those, too. and they need to serve as reminders to me of His grace…for me.
I remember the first time that occurred to me. It hit me the same way. Truthfully, I suppose it still does. I’ve often wondered if it’s because it is proof of who He is…proof of His power. Because many people have scars of many things. But there is and never has and never will be anyone alive who has the scars of crucifixion.
powerful post. thank you.
I know I am not fully getting this at the moment. This is even the 3rd time today i have come back to read this, but this is hitting something deep in me even though I cannot figure out what it is.
His scars remained… a reminder of the suffering and the promise of full restoration.
@gritandglory says:
i get that. it hits something deep in me, too. and i’m not sure i’ve grasped it yet.
@JewelzSightings says:
Scars remind us of the power of God to heal and restore our wounded hearts…. I know, I have mine!
When I was a little girl I had boils. I have scars from them. When I see them I remember them, but there is no longer any pain associated with them. Scars of the heart are like that too.
this was great! and very powerful. a testimony of what God can do. you have beautiful scars that have personally touched me. thanks for letting your scars show and point all glory to God.
love.
@gritandglory says:
thank you, christina. your words felt like a hug today.
This definitely brings tears to my eyes.
i did a post on this awhile ago. but when I imagine His hands, my first thoughts are of holey, see-right-through hands. so i’ve always wondered if people could like “fall through the hole of the nail.” i mean, if He has the whole world in hole-y hands, people are going to fall out. but i’m pretty sure that’s not how it works. He is healed but the scars remain. You can’t see right through the holes.
being in His hands, we could get stained with His blood. but it’s in that very blood and suffering that we are healed. that we are saved. that we live.
@coloraturajoy says:
SO good.
oh my how you can speak straight to my heart.
@gritandglory says:
i heart you, JR.
@moweezle says:
this is beautiful, Alece… I definately think he did it more for us than for him.
Oh, sister, thank you for this. I am longing for ultimate healing. Maybe we have these scars so that when it happens, we can rejoice all the more and not doubt that we really did see a miracle before our very eyes. Love your heart. Thanks for sharing. Believing in ultimate healing for you and for myself as well.
Alece, love this post. Wanted to write you about it. I’ve blogged on this before, too. But no time to write – catching a plane in three hours, and have crying kids hanging on me! :)
“Maybe He kept His scars so I would know it’s okay that I still have mine.”
This gave me chills. Beautiful words.