“From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” - Gal 6:17 (NIV).
After his resurrection when Jesus appeared to the disciples and the Apostle Thomas happened not to be around, upon learning he protested. “So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25).
A week after the Lord appeared, “Then 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.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (vv 27-28).
This event totally shook Thomas. He travelled to India where he shared the Gospel and the present church in India is attributed to him. It is said he was attacked and killed at Mount Chennai in AD 72 where his body is interred. Though initially skeptical, his body ended up with wounds of Christ!
Many followers of Christ have since his crucifixion bore wounds which can disprove doubters. The Apostle Paul once shared, “Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea..” (2 Cor 11:25). He carried a lot of wounds for his service to the Gospel. Legend has it that almost every Apostle other John suffered an ignominious death.
For followers of Christ bearing his wounds from those that refuse the grace of the Gospel, is often inescapable. Christians are habitual target of attacks not just for sharing the Gospel but standing up for truth and righteousness. May the Almighty God grant us grace to carry those wounds with joy and pride, for they bear the very marks of our faith in Jesus!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I thank you for the wounds of Christ I bear on my body because of service to you, and for all the attacks may I know these are badges of honor, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
Related upcoming events
-
03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
