Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a video the group Point of Grace singing, Heal the Wounds, declaring how Christians can let our scars tell the story of God’s saving grace, shining brightly into a very darkened world for hurting souls.
Highlight Passage: John 20:27 [NKJV] …
27 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.”
… Jesus’ divinity shone brightly in his scars for Thomas.
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Highlight Context – John 20:24-31 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Thomas need to see/touch Jesus’ scars to break through His doubts.
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Reference Passage #1 - 1st Corinthians 15:50-58 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… The new body we will experience in Glory … scars will shine brightly for all to see how Jesus turned those scars to stars.
Reference Passage #2 - Revelation 21:4 [NKJV] …
4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
…The hope of our scars becoming stars in heaven.
My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread author, Philip Yancy, reminded his readers (me) of that time, after the resurrection, when Jesus lovingly offered His scars to Thomas so that the doubting Disciple could believe [see attached photo]. Yancey wrote: One detail in the Easter story has always intrigued me. Why did Jesus keep the scars from His crucifixion? Presumably He could have had any resurrected body He wanted, and yet He chose one identifiable mainly by scars that could be seen and touched. Why? … I believe the story of Easter would be incomplete without those scars on the hands, the feet, and the side of Jesus (John 20:27).
And I agree that Jesus chose to retain His scars in His heavenly, post-resurrection body, the scars which all believers will one day see shining brightly in heaven to remind us of His finished work for all who’ve come to believe in Him as King Jesus. And we, as Christians, need to remember that our scars - here on earth - become shining evidence of Christ’s saving grace when we’re willing to share them - with our testimony - with others who have troubles believing.
When I’m open and vulnerable enough to share my scar-ridden story with someone who’s been through years of hidden sexual sin, my scars of recovery, redemption, and renewal brightly shine Christ’s ability to restore those who’re willing to believe in the power of Christ to redeem the hurting and the lost. My scars, therefore, become stars, … shining Christ’s light brightly into the life of a sin-ridden lost soul. And perhaps some reader here has scars which you need to open up to show others, through your testimony, so that some hurting, maybe even bleeding, soul can find the healing power of Jesus.
So, if God presents such a one to you today or tomorrow, show those scars of salvation to one who needs to believe and be healed for eternity.
My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … My scars, as Point of Grace, sing above, tell my story of redemption. So, let them shine Your light brightly for all to see Your healing grace. … Amen
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.
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