Daily Devotional: Jesus Still Had His Scars

Hello amazing friends! Welcome back! Today, we're exploring our daily devotional, presenting a brief, uplifting message to bring some brightness to your day. If you have a moment, consider reading John 20:19-29 in your preferred Bible translation before continuing here.

If you're pressed for time, reflect on this passage and notice what resonates with you:

After eight days, his disciples were again in a house, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!” Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.”

In my childhood church, whenever this passage was discussed, the focus was often on Thomas's doubt. How could he still doubt after witnessing all that Jesus had done? It led to a lesson about surpassing Thomas's faith.

However, as I've grown older, something else struck me profoundly: Jesus's resurrected body. Even in his divine state, he retains the scars from his brutal crucifixion. This realization made me reflect on my own scars—the knee scrape from a childhood bike accident, the faint eyebrow mark from a toddler's encounter with a door, and the scars across my chest from reconstructive surgery. These marks accompany me everywhere, reminders of both joyous and painful moments.

There are also unseen scars: familial rejection, religious wounds, and others healed yet still leaving a mark.

Jesus's enduring scars taught me that I need not erase my own. It's not about healing every wound until it vanishes; it's about accepting scars and letting them draw me closer to the miraculous—my body and soul's healing, my journey's progress, and my resilience.

Our scars needn't always be erased; they signify encounters with the sacred healing process and the marvel of survival.

Reflection Questions:

How does the thought of Jesus retaining his scars in his resurrected body resonate with you?

What does it mean to consider your scars as sacred?

How can you forgive yourself for moments of doubt?

Practical Exercises:

Take time to reflect on your scars. Light a candle, massage them with lotion, and appreciate your body's healing.

Consider supporting a transgender person's surgery fundraiser, if possible.

Make a list of things you struggle to believe in. Seek peace in uncertainty today.

That wraps up our devotional today! I hope it brought positivity to your day. If it resonated, please like and subscribe for more uplifting content. Thank you for being here, celebrate your uniqueness, and stay positive until next time!

Footnotes:

Source: Kearns, S., & Murphy, B. (2020). "Queers the Word" - (Adapted for reflection of Jesus and Thomas). Scripture: John 20:19-29

Image Title: "Scars of Grace" Source: Midjourney’s image generation model.

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