We all have physical and/or emotional wounds that have become scars. It’s been said that every scar has a story. I’m looking forward to heaven when our scars are no more. Scripture tells us “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it, we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body…” (Phil 3:20-21 ESV) That leads me to think we have no scars on our renewed, glorified, and transformed spiritual bodies. There is no disease, sickness, sadness, aging or injury in heaven. Why then, would we have scars?
Which got me thinking- why did Jesus’ resurrected body have physical scars? Why didn’t our perfect lamb come back with a spotless and perfect heavenly body? There must be a meaning behind His visible scars. What story do the scars of Jesus tell us?
Scars of Jesus
Jesus’ resurrected body was not the same one he had when he walked the earth. He defied the laws of nature by appearing inside a locked room. “Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’” (John 20:26 NIV) Can you imagine the shock the disciples must have felt? Luke 24: 37 NIV tells us that the “startled and frightened” disciples thought he was “a ghost”. Jesus reassures them by saying, “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones.” Luke 24:39 NIV. He even eats with them to prove he is not just a figment of their imagination.
Jesus’ scars confirmed to his followers, then and now, that it was truly him. It was his body, still bearing the scars of his crucifixion, but now risen from his death. It was proof that the Jesus they buried in the tomb was the same person standing before them.
Scars Tell a Story
His scars cement our belief in Him and His resurrection from the dead.
“Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ John 20:27 NIV
When the disciples saw Jesus and inspected his scars, they were full of praise, joy, and amazement. Right before this, they were hiding out in a locked room filled with fear. Jesus came to them with his scars and completely changed their lives. He replaced their despair and fear with joy and hope!
By His Wounds We Are Healed
Just as it did for His disciples, His resurrection transforms our lives. Where once we were dead in our sins, we now have eternal life in heaven. Jesus redeemed us through his scars! This brings hope and joy in the worst situation.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.” 1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV
His scars also remind us of how much he willingly suffered in his love for us. His scars remind us of the depth of his love.
“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 ESV
It’s as if He is saying “Look at my hands, my feet, and my side. I know excruciating pain and deep sorrow. But through all of it, I came out victorious, and you can too.”
Maybe Jesus uses his scars to bind himself to each one of us. Abuse, sadness, loneliness, depression, anxiety, rejection, etc, wound us all. He completely understands our feelings. Every scar has a story, and His scars tell us that his earthly life wounded him and left scars. He knows the hurt of pain and suffering.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 NIV.
God Heals All Wounds
God’s devised plan of healing for our physical wounds fascinates the nurse in me. I’m even more in awe of how He wants to heal our emotional wounds.
There is no wound that God cannot heal. The enemy loves for us to keep picking at the scab of our injury and delay the healing.
Maybe Jesus kept his scars to remind us that complete healing is possible with Him. No matter how deep the wound is, he can heal.
Jesus’ Wounds
Jesus purposely didn’t hide his scars. He even carried them into heaven. I have scars that are visible, and they don’t bother me one bit. I could tell you their story because they hold no fear or shame for me.
But I have emotional scars that I keep hidden. I’m sure I’m not alone. What I can say about those, is that I am learning to be thankful for them. They remind me of how they led me into a deeper relationship with Jesus.
His scars showed me what true forgiveness looks like. They remind me of His deep love and His plans for me.
God Will Use Your Scars
No matter who or what wounded us, if it sent us into His arms, then we can give thanks for His healing and our scars.
If we can use our scars to point someone else to Jesus, then we can be thankful for our scars.
Let His scars erase your doubts. Heal by living in His eternal joy and hope for the future. Rest in the depth of his love and draw strength to heal from knowing He understands your wounds.
What story do Jesus’ scars tell us? They tell us: You are worthy. I love you with complete abandon. Don’t live in fear. Rest in my joyful radiance. Be confident in my faithfulness to you. I will give you my strength. I have won the victory for you and I am saving a place here in heaven for you.
Every scar has a story. When you see or think about your scars, remember Jesus’ nail-scarred hands and to whom you belong.
What story do your scars tell?
Do you have any scars that are still healing? Are you picking at them or applying the healing balm of Jesus Christ?
Blessings in the healing,
AnnMarie
If you need encouragement to experience the joy of Christ in the midst of healing you may enjoy this post: The Joy of the Lord
“Scars tell the story of where you’ve been. They don’t dictate where you’re going.” Toby Mac
“She questioned her own worth because of the scars others had left on her self-esteem and then she heard God whisper, ‘you are mine’.- Stasi Eldredge
I definitely view scars as something positive after many years of seeing them as negative things. The pain that comes with the scars of my heart has been excruciating at times, but there’s no doubt Jesus allowed them so I would come to Him and understand His love for me to the fullest. My scars point to His love for me and His scars point to His love for me. It’s a win-win situation.💗 Thank you for this wonderful post!
That is a perfect summary and testimony to our scars and His too! I too gave my scars a negative connotation for years. Now I want Him to use them as He sees fit!
In the last 3 years I suffered many scars but God can indeed use them.
He sure can, if we allow him to. He leaves them there for a reason. I’m grateful He left His scars as encouragement for us.
Jesus’ scars remain forever as a powerful reminder of the lengths he went to save us. There is no greater love! Thanks for your thoughts on this!
They are such a powerful reminder!
Jesus’ work at the cross is amazing! He offers so much healing, even for our deepest scars.
Thanks Erin! He is the ultimate healer!
Such a wonderful post as you pointed out all the reasons why Jesus’ scars matter and hold importance for us today. Also. showing how important our own scars are and encouraging us in how God also uses them.
Thanks, Fleda. It was a great encouragement to me as well. Thanks for reading and for the comment!
May our scars continually drive us to Jesus. He alone knows what to do with them. Thanks for this encouragement. Blessings to you!
Yes, He sure does! And that is a great comfort to me. Thanks for reading and for the comment!
Beautiful post!
It might sound weird but my scars brought me closer to Jesus.
As you mentioned in your blog post, i am also thankful for my scars.
It has given me strength and made me trust God more.
How perfect that your scars brought you closer to Jesus! They can, if we let them! He is our Healer. Who better to go to with our wounds and scars but Him?
I am going to send this link to everyone I know. This is truly beautiful. Lately my favorite song on the radio has been “Mistakes” by Unspoken about how we can use our mistakes, or our scars, for His glory. I’ve always wondered how Jesus would still have scars when we are supposed to be clean once we enter Heaven and this is a beautiful way to explain everything.
Thanks so much Jessie for the kind words and the shares 🙂 Listening to “Mistakes” right now- great song! It’s a new one for me, and yes- He uses us for His glory! Mistakes and all. Scars don’t bother Him at all…
I love Phil 3:20-21! I never looked at scars like this. Very thought provoking post and HOPE provoking post! My scars are beautiful!
Me too! I get quite excited when thinking about heaven 🙂 I’ve been mulling over the topic of scars for a while… they came to mind when I wrote about the emotional baggage we carry around. For some reason, that led to Jesus’ scars…
“The enemy loves for us to keep picking at the scab of our injury and delay the healing.“. How descriptive and true this is! And I especially like your statement: “ No matter who or what wounded us, if it sent us into His arms, then we can give thanks for His healing and our scars.”
Thanks, for these thoughts, AnnMarie!
Thanks for reading Jane! I know I’ve delayed the healing of some of my wounds by “picking” at them vs letting Jesus heal them. Just realizing that it’s the enemy egging me on is enough to make me reverse course. Hope all is well with you!:)
I am super thankful for the blood of Jesus that take a away all my shame and that heals all my pain. I do not know what I would do without his loving grace. Also this pass week he has put in my heart to forgive friends who has hurt me in the years. I had to write the whole message to them and at the end Jesus wanted me to say I simple forgive and I’m praying for you. I did not understand why, but when I sent the note. That person got back to saying how sorry she was and how she was dealing with depression at that moment; I told her I forgive her and that may the love of Jesus keep on being with you. Annmarie, I share this with you because it’s through your Monday morning blog that has kept close to God word and understand his forgiveness. And yes I look forward to having no more pain when I get to Heaven, and also lots of coffee.
This is so awesome to hear Nancy! His grace never ceases to amaze me. You are so faithful to Him- I’m so glad you listened to God as He led you into forgiveness and to reach out to your old friend. Thanks so much for reading, and for commenting! Every comment sends His word through my blog on to others who may need to hear it! And yes, heaven will be awesome and have the BEST coffee!!! 🙂 Love you!
I loved this posting, Ann….I truly never thought about some of the things related to Jesus’ scars and what they meant after His resurrection and what they mean today for us, and the significance of our own scars.
Thank you!
Me neither! Think of all the things we’ll be able to clarify in heaven! 🙂