Sunday, 11 April 2021 John 20:19-31 Pr Gus Schutz

‘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.”’

The scars of Jesus were very important for Thomas. It can be easy to be a little hard on Thomas. I think tradition has done that. Put yourself in his situation. Wouldn’t you also want some visible proof to connect what you see with the events of Good Friday? So that you can know without doubt that this really is the same Jesus who was hung up on the cross?

The truth is the scars of Jesus were important for all the disciples. They confirmed to them that it truly was Jesus. In the same body, now risen and transformed.

• When Jesus first appeared to the disciples, Luke tells us: “they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.” (Luke 24:37) Then he showed them his scars, saying to them: “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” (Luke 24:39)

• The apostle John reports that Jesus: “showed them his hands and feet” (John 20:20) This was the first time, when Thomas was not with them. So he insisted he must see the scars when it was reported to him that the others had seen Jesus. Eight days later the wish and prayer of Thomas was answered. Jesus offered him his scars, saying: “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Like the disciples, we too can (should) treasure the scars of Jesus. For if Luke and John did not tell us about the scars of Jesus, it is likely we would assume that a glorified and risen body would have none. At first thought, wouldn’t scars seem to be a surprising feature of a perfected, new-world humanity? In fact, they actually sound like something of a defect, don’t they? For wouldn’t we expect that an upgrade – from the perishable body designed for this world, to an imperishable body designed for the next – would no longer bear the marks of suffering in this world?

Don’t you find it interesting that the risen and glorious Lord Jesus bears scars? We might assume that God the Father would have chosen to remove those scars from the eternal, glorified body of his Son, Jesus. But those scars were God’s idea to begin with! He made our human bodies to heal like this; yes, even from significant injury. Some of our scars don’t mean much at all, but others have quite a story behind them. Some scars may bring shame over silly things we have done. Others may be to our glory, through an amazing recovery. For Luke and John to point to the scars of Jesus’ resurrection body must mean that they are not a defect at all, but a mark of glory. Consider the treasure that awaits us for all eternity in the visible, glorious scars of Jesus!

The scars of Jesus don’t just show that he was hurt – in love for the world. Those scars show us that he knows our pain. He became fully human – in every respect, except that he did not sin. (Hebrews 2:17) There is comfort in knowing that as one of us, he can suffer with us, and for us. He did that in carrying our human sins and dying in our place. Because Jesus chose to suffer, his scars also tell us of the Father’s love for us. The apostle Paul tells us: “that God demonstrates his own love for us in this, it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) – 2 –

The scars of Jesus are the marks of wounds that have been healed. That means they point to his triumph, and our final victory. The book of Revelation describes the Easter victory of Jesus, saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise.” (Revelation 5:12) So now, in a most wonderful and powerful way the scars of Jesus show that he was healed, giving hope to the peoples of all the world.

For we all have our scars, don’t we? Even a young child may bear the scars of mishaps, falls and cuts. They are a part of our journey of life in this fallen and broken world. Some of those scars are a reminder of your own personal Good Friday. Memories of times when the skies also turned dark for you.

• There are those physical scars, which are visible to you and others. Maybe you have scars from a life-saving surgery, or an accident you will always remember. I have scars etched in the palm of my left hand, reminding me of the accident that killed my brother almost fifty years ago. We all have our personal stories.

• Then there are those hidden scars you know so well, but others cannot see. Life-long scars held deep within that have left you wounded and vulnerable. - scars of those dreams you held that never came true, - the scars of a broken heart over loved ones you have lost, - or the scars of a wounded spirit through abuse or rejection.

So what are the scars that you bear? More importantly, what are you doing with them? Take them to where Jesus received his scars in love for you. Take them to the cross. Where there is healing for all your scars, and hope for your future. Then, don’t hide your scars. Wear them as proof that God heals. Know that ‘scar tissue is stronger than regular tissue. Realize the strength and move on.’ (Henry Rollins) To better times ahead. Our scars are a witness to the world. They are a part of our story. Healed wounds that are symbols that God has restored us. In his rescuing love.

Scars do not form on the dying. Scars mean that we have survived. So use your scars to bring healing and hope to others. Behind every scar there is a story. Invite others to share their story. Listen to them so that you may see the inner scars they bear. Your story will not be the same, but you also have a story. This is the principle behind the ‘Men’s Shed’ ministry and our local ‘Shed Night’. Men share their story with others. There is healing simply in the sharing. The wisdom of God’s Word encourages us to do this. For as: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17) Their sharing also brings assurance and hope to those who silently suffer in pain. It’s not about beating our breast over our defeats in life or gloating over the victories we have. It’s about pointing to the healing and hope that Jesus offers us.

The scars of Jesus were important for Thomas. His scars bring healing and hope to us as well. For all of us who have been rescued by him, they are not a defect. They are a source of glory beyond compare. So we will worship Jesus forever with the beauty of his scars in view.