Why Did Jesus Keep His Scars?

He Kept His Scars So You Wouldn’t Have to Keep Yours

Scars. We all have them. I have one on my ring finger. I’ll always remember how I got it too. It all happened with a pot of fudge.

I was teaching a group of young ladies ages 10 through 16 the art of fudge. A small kitchen meant for two with no room around the stove and a half dozen fidgeting giggling girls was a disaster waiting to happen, but I was up for the challenge.

Since they were more interested in gossip and play, they watched as I demonstrated. It would be safer, so I thought. No argument from them. The ingredients were gathered and the pot set on the stove. As the gooey chocolate happily bubbled, I stirred, bringing it to its perfect temperature of 239°F.

I demonstrated the cold water test to ensure the fudge was ready. Some of this boiling liquid is spooned into a dish of cold water. The girls weren’t paying attention anymore. Their jostling got too close to me and the hot spoon. Then it happened.

As one girl was pushed towards me, the spoonful of boiling fudge landed on my hand. My wedding band became a conductor of heat, raising angry blisters on my finger. Wanting to yell at them, I chose a meaningful glare instead. No small feat for my quick temper. When I look at the scar, I don’t remember the pain, but I sure do remember the day.

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Have you ever wondered why Jesus kept his scars after the resurrection? It’s a valid question. He could’ve easily done away with them. The answer is simple and awe-inspiring. They prove who he is, what he’s done for us, and his eternal grace-filled love for us.

His scars prove that he’s still God in the flesh. Because of his resurrection, death couldn’t take his humanity.

Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Take your hand, and put it into my side. Stop doubting, and believe.”
John 20:27

He had flesh that Thomas could touch. He proved himself still alive, still human.

Jesus can point to His scars and say, “See, I did this for you. I did this because I love you. I have taken all your pain, all your hurt, all the disease and garbage for you. I took it so that you don’t have to. Don’t believe me? Then come touch my scars and see how much I love you.” Wow! Amazing!

Jesus knows the scars that you carry. He knows how and when you got each one of them. He knows the scars that are visible to all. More importantly, he knows the scars that no one sees except you and Him. Inside and out, Jesus loves your scars! He kept His, so you wouldn’t have to keep yours.

There is one God. There is also one mediator between God and humans—a human, Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for all people to free them from their sins.
1 Timothy 2:5-6

God’s Word Mission Society welcomes Wendy Miller Bartsch, a GOD’S WORD Ambassador. As a young adult, Wendy moved to Northern Canada as a missionary. During those years, numerous moves and life challenges deepened her faith and trust in God. Being creative at heart and wanting a way to express what God was teaching her, she started writing devotionals for family and friends and posting them on Facebook. With much encouragement, her first book Selah was published in August 2022.