The Upper Room Devotional 3 April 2026, Friday Message
Thank God for the Scars
Marilyn H. Tinnin (Mississippi, USA)
Today’s Reading
John 20:19-30
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Then [Jesus] 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 (NIV)
Eighteen years ago, on Good Friday afternoon, I was on my way to Birmingham, Alabama, for a much-anticipated Easter weekend with my daughter who was in college. The sky was blue, and the earth was alive with the arrival of spring. I felt lighthearted and carefree until my cell phone rang. My doctor delivered the results of my recent biopsy.
My heart sank and my eyes welled with tears. Earlier he had seemed confident that my irregular mammogram was a fluke. Now the word cancer thundered in my ears, devouring all the peace I had felt a few seconds before. In that moment my faith was as shaky as my body. But my faith grew in the weeks following surgery as God supplied my needs moment by moment — for months.
Today, visible scars are still a painful reminder that I am a cancer survivor. Jesus had visible scars too. I wonder if our risen Savior kept those nail marks out of compassion for us. Scripture says Jesus showed his disciples his scars and that Thomas touched his pierced hands and side. When he took on human form, he did so to understand all that it means to be human. Scars are memories of pain, and Jesus understands as only one who has endured pain can.
Thought for the Day
Jesus hears my pleas and understands my hurts.
Prayer Focus
Cancer survivors
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, may we never forget that you submitted to undeserved pain out of love for us. Grant us the courage to love others with the same sacrificial spirit. Amen.
The Upper Room Devotional 3 April 2026 is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More
