“O, Jan, let me tell you how your father got those horrible scars on his face, neck, and hands. When you were just a baby, we woke to find that the house was on fire. We jumped up and ran to your room. Your room was engulfed in flames. Your father yelled for me to run downstairs and call the fire department and then go outside to meet him. He ran into your room, beat the flames off your blanket, grabbed you, and ran through the flames bringing you to safety. He was severely burned, but was so grateful you were okay.”

Jan and her mother began to cry. “I’m sorry, mother, I didn’t know. I’ll talk to daddy tonight.” That night Jan sat on her father’s lap, put her arms around his neck, and kissed his face. “Daddy, mom told me how you got your scars. I love you. I would be honored if you would take me to the father – daughter banquet. And if anyone ever mentions your scars, I’m going to tell them that they are not scars but they’re my daddy’s beauty marks.”

Love goes deeper with sacrifice. That’s why multitudes of believers have laid down their lives for Jesus Christ, who willingly was crucified on an old rugged cross. The Apostle John exclaimed, “We love him because he first loved us” (I John 4:19).

After Jesus arose from the dead on the third day, He appeared to the women who had come to the tomb. He then appeared to Peter, then to the two men on the road to Emmaus, and then He appeared to the disciples who were behind locked doors because of fear. Jesus suddenly appeared in their midst. They were frightened because they thought they were seeing a ghost. Jesus said to them, “Why are you troubled and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Se my hands and feet, that it is I, myself. Touch me and see for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have” (Luke 24: 36-43).

Jesus showed them His hands and feet. The nail scars were still visible. The scar from the spear that pierced his side was there. More than Roman nails fastened Jesus to the cross. Your sins and mine took Him and held Him there. Pilot pronounced him innocent of any crime. He was only guilty of “Love in the first degree”.

Jesus invited His disciples to touch the scars in His hands and feet. He was there in person – ALIVE! He was not a spirit. To prove it, He asked for some food and ate it before them.
The Apostle Thomas was not present when Jesus appeared to the disciples. When he was told of the Lord’s appearance, he replied, “Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails and put my finger into the place of the nails and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:24-29).

Some have called Thomas “Doubting Thomas”. But a week later Jesus again appeared to the disciples when Thomas was present. Jesus announced “Peace” and then said to Thomas, “Reach your finger and see my hands and reach here your hand and put it into my side and be not unbelieving but believing.” Thomas saw and believed. He answered, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:26-29).

Look to Jesus. See His hands, feet, and side. Let those scars tell you of His love for you. He came to rescue you from a fate worse than a burning building. He died for you. But He arose victorious over death, hell, and the grave. Jesus Christ announced the good news – “Because I live, you shall live also.”

The living Christ turned His followers fear into faith and peace. He gave them a purpose – “. . . Thus it is written that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations. . .” (Luke 24:45-48). He gave them the power of the Holy Spirit (verse 49). And He gave them the promise, “. . . . “Lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Thomas had the opportunity to see the risen Christ face to face. Jesus told him “. . . Blessed are they who did not see and yet believed” (John 20:29).
Have you believed in the Christ who died for you? “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved” (Romans 10:9).