Redeeming Scars

It is said that seeing is believing. It certainly was for the Apostle Thomas. His response to the news that Jesus was alive earned him the title Doubting Thomas. But that title is unfair. After all, if it had been you, wouldn’t you have been tempted to respond the same way? Well, maybe not. According to Jesus, those of us who believe today are exercising a faith that Thomas and the other disciples couldn’t. Join us for a message about the true meaning of faith and how it has the power to change us.

Passage (read it):

• John 20:24-29

Principle (know it):

Scars can be redeemed as evidence to the power of the resurrection.

Three questions about Jesus' scars:

1. Why did Jesus show His scars to the disciples?
   - They prove that He was the same person who died on the cross
   - They demonstrate that the resurrection is not only spiritual but also physical.
   
2. Does Jesus still bear the scars of His crucifixion?
   - Yes, they are evidence that sin, death, and the grave will not have the last word
   - Yes, they are an eternal source of awe and wonder
   
3. What can we learn from Jesus’ eternal scars?
   - His scars are a reminder that it is not about what you do for your salvation, but what He has done.
   - Because He bears the scars of our sin, our scars can serve as testimonies of His love and mercy.

Practice (do it):

Reflect on the answers to the following questions:

1. Have the scars of others ever served as evidence for your belief in the power of the resurrection? If so, how?
2. Have you come to see your scars as evidence of Jesus’ love and mercy? If not, why not?
3. Which of your scars are the best evidence of the power of the resurrection?
4. Would you be willing to show your scars to others as proof of the power of the resurrection?