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In more than three decades of my Christian life, I have been blest by 2 types of Daily devos'
(matter not exceeding 500 words) in universal Christian literature. Not only those Devos'
which have a different theme everyday but also the ones which revolve around a certain
theme over a period of time, say a fortnight, have richly edified me. In fact, both
styles have their own inherent advantages. If the former style caters to the varying
spiritual needs of a christian from day-to-day, the latter aims 'to ground'
a child of God in a certain subject in order he derives the full benefits of the
deep insightful study of a certain topic, spread over a fixed span of time.
In my Daily devo page, I have consciously tried to go in for 'a blend of both the
styles' whereby within a constant theme, I would be aiming to focus on different
facets of it which admittedly is a closer imitation of the 'Constant theme' style
than the 'Varying topics' one.
Having dwelt on the topic of Christian journey and the “Conquest of Canaan”
in the previous months, now in the month of March, considering that
we are in the season of Lent, I intend to focus on the subject- “Lent season”.
Once again, let me wish you a happy and an edifying read…
Suresh Manoharan
28th Lent Day
Legitimate doubt…5
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."
- John 20:27
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Today in our journey of focusing upon some of the legitimate resurrection-related doubts,
which have been troubling many well-meaning Christians, we come to yet another doubt
highlighted below…
Question: "If Jesus was in his glorified body after the resurrection,
why did the crucifixion marks still remain on His body?
Answer: The above captioned scripture portion, bears ample proof to the fact that
Jesus’ post-resurrection, still bore the marks of crucifixion on his person.
To understand the “why” behind it, we need to consider Apostle Paul’s words’
in Galatians 6:17
spoken in the context of his spirited defense of “Salvation by Grace”
vis-à-vis inclination of the Galatian Church towards now obsolete (in New Testament dispensation)
ritual of circumcision.
“…For I carry on my body the scars of the whippings and wounds from Jesus’
enemies that mark me as His slave.”
– Galatians 6:17 (TLB)
Closer scrutiny of the above-words would reveal his pride in receiving and bearing
bodily wounds for the cause of Christ, which are immeasurably more precious in the
Master’s sight, than bearing a physical mark of circumcision. Any day a scar that
is the result of sacrificial love would be greater “authentic proof” of one’s
commitment, than a mere ritualistic corporal cutting. If a slave prides himself in
those “badges of honor” (physical wounds) all for His Master’s glory, then how much
more would a Master, who is the very definition of infinite love, desire to carry
on His person the marks, which are a testimony of His commitment to our welfare!
No wonder, when apostle John saw in his Heavenly vision Jesus’ in the
symbolic form of a Lamb, he wrote
“ …On the Lamb were the wounds that once had caused his death…”
– Rev 5:6
Jesus’ eternal physical scars, if any, are proof of His eternal love!
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we are indebted to thee because of your great, sacrificial love. Confessing of our lukewarm love,
at times we pray that you would make our hearts aglow with the love that is
pleasing to thee at all times. Amen.
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