“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” John 20:19-20.

Have you ever been to a funeral and burial of a loved one and then three days later see that person walking around? Yeah, me neither. It must have been a little unsettling for the already jittery disciples to have Jesus poof into the room. Yet, the Master couldn’t stay away from His friends. He couldn’t even wait for them to open the door.

What was the first thing Jesus showed them? His wounds. Obviously, they were healed but the scars remained. Why? Wouldn’t you think a freshly resurrected body would be perfected, free from flaws? Ah, but it was perfect. Someday we will look on those same marks and give glory to God for what those beautiful scars purchased for us.

In the same way, our scars, whether they are physical or emotional, will not be marks of shame, but a testimony of God’s mercy and grace.

Our resurrected Savior has the power
to break into our locked up fears,
speak peace into our hearts,
and transform pain into glory.
Be overjoyed at this good news!