Joni And Friends Daily Devotional 5 May 2024 Message
TOPIC: No Scars in Heaven?
“In a loud voice they sang, ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’” – Revelation 5:12
“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.’” – John 20:27
One of the most dramatic scenes in Scripture is when the Lord Jesus, after his resurrection, stretches out his hands to Thomas and challenges him to touch his wounds—and thus believe. Jesus could have left Thomas to stew in his doubts, but the Lord never breaks the bruised reed.
Instead he bears the infirmities of the weak. He accommodates himself to help us through our doubts. He did it for Thomas and he’s still doing it today. God goes to great extent to confirm our faith, just as he did when he invited Thomas to thrust a hand into his side.
That’s what makes those nail prints so precious. And that’s why I’m not surprised the nail prints still showed on the Lord, even after his resurrection. His wounds are not only an evidence of love but an encouragement to our faith. It is the wounds that help us believe.
Will Jesus bear his scars in heaven? Revelation 5:6 describes the scene: “I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne…” (emphasis added). I have an inkling he will be the only one who will retain the painful reminders of his earthly journey. We, on the other hand, will bear no scars. All our tears will be wiped away. The scars of Jesus will not be painful for us to see but will be an eternal reason to rejoice.
Why wait for heaven to rejoice? Today the Lord accommodates himself to help you through your doubts. He’ll go to great lengths to help confirm your faith. He invites you to place your hand in his and feel what it cost to purchase your salvation.
PRAY: Lord Jesus, help me to have faith through the crisis I’m in right now. Remind me of all the evidence you have provided that I might believe.
Joni and Friends Daily Devotional 5 May 2024 written By Joni Eareckson Tada
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