Known By The Scars
Acts 5:12-16; Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19; John 20:19-31
For two thousand years, this Apostle has been stuck with a bad rap. For two thousand years we have labeled him as the “Doubting Thomas.” For two thousand years, we have patted ourselves on the back because, after all, aren’t we the ones who have not seen, yet we have believed? Hmmmm . . . maybe.
The evangelist John, the author of today’s Gospel passage, gives us a bit of information that none of the evangelists do. He defines Thomas’ name. I’ve gone back and searched through the pages of John’s Gospel and this is the only time he translates the meaning of a person’s name. Oh he defines words and the names of places. When we heard the Passion during Holy Week we heard that Jesus was lead from Gabbatha, the “place of the stone pavement” to Golgotha, the “place of the skull.” But this is the only time John tells us the meaning of a name: Thomas . . . Didymus . . . the twin.
Have you ever wondered who Thomas’ twin was? I have. And I finally know who it is. But that knowledge didn’t come by scrupulously looking through Scripture, or by hours of research online, or through extensive examination of historical documents. I found Thomas’ twin by simply looking in the mirror. And if you’re honest, maybe you’ve seen him in your mirror too. For we are all like Thomas. We are creatures who demand proof: hearing, seeing, touching. We need to dissect, analyze, compare. And in this age, when we have abandoned mystery, it becomes harder and harder to believe.
Why did Thomas need to probe the scars of Jesus’ body in order to believe? Perhaps it was because Thomas himself was scarred. Thomas bore the scars of grief - the pain of loss, the struggle with the emptiness that death brings. He bore the scars of cowardice and guilt because he ran away and abandoned a friend, someone he claimed to love. And he bore the scars of disappointment that something and someone that he had pinned his hopes on for three years was all for nothing. His dreams came crashing down around him. So what does he do now? And who is he, if not a follower of Jesus? So because of his scarred-ness, Thomas needs the assurance of seeing the scars of one who endured it all, and didn’t just survive, but RESURRECTED - undefeated, triumphant, glorious!
I too bear scars: Physical scars on my legs from the large painful ulcers that I suffered with for over five years; psychological scars from being dismissed from my job three years ago that has left its mark of the feelings of hurt and rejection, humiliation and embarrassment, guilt and inadequacy; and I bear emotional scars of grief and loneliness from the death of my parents.
What are the scars that you bear? We all have them . . . every one of us: Scars on our bodies. Scars on our souls. Scars on our hearts. Scars on our relationships. Scars of illness, of tragedy, of brokenness, of death. Scars of hate, bitterness, fear, anxiety, pain, sadness, guilt, resentment. Some of the scars are the result of our battle against God. Some of the scars have come in our battle standing with God. Some of the scars come from the wounds fighting love. Some scars come from the wounds in the defense of love.
And so, in the midst of the trials of life that confront us and leave their scars upon us, we, like Thomas, want the assurance that our faith hasn’t been in vain. We question whether God is real, if He has heard our prayer, if he is absent or distant, if he is really with us. We seek signs and miracles and visions and divine revelation. We desire to hear, to see, to touch. We too seek to probe the wounds of Jesus.
Why are those scars so important that they serve as distinguishing marks of Jesus for Thomas and for us? Well, the simple answer is that scars tell you a little about the life of the person who received those scars. And Jesus’ scars prove to us that Jesus chose to be actively involved with all aspects of human life, holding fast to the truth about God and about what makes for an enriching, abundant life, even when upholding that truth came at the cost of his own life. His scars prove that Jesus is one of us - someone injured and scarred on our behalf. We have a God who has suffered for us and who has the scars to prove it. He can understand the pains of human life on an intimate level. And he came back to life, not to exact revenge, but to offer his peace and forgiveness to any who would receive it. Jesus has demonstrated an ability to understand us and empathize with us even when we can't always - or when we choose not to - understand him. Jesus scars had meaning. His suffering was not in vain. And if his suffering wasn’t in vain, than just maybe the scars that are the marks of our suffering also have meaning if we unite ours with his. It is through Jesus’ scars that I’ve come to realize that a scar is a badge of victory. It’s an Olympic gold medal that proclaims to the world, and more importantly reminds ourselves, that we are winners. We’ve made it. We’ve survived. We’re healed. And we’re stronger.
But frequently we ask, where is Jesus now? Where is He - that I may touch Him? Where is He that I may see His face, and feel His wounded side? Where is Jesus now, so that I can feel His arms once again surrounding me, holding me in His love? Where is Jesus now, that I may know His healing touch? Where is He now - now when I need Him so badly, when I feel like an orphan in the world? Where is He now?
He is there - right there - sitting beside you this morning! And so you folks on the other side don't feel left out - He is also right there, sitting next to you. And He is there, in the back. And here, in the front. He is beside you. And in front of you. And behind you. And in you. And wherever the least one is among us. And wherever two or more of us gather to offer one another hope and strength and love for His sake. And He is here (Book of the Gospels), and here (sermon notes), and in our words of comfort to one another. And in a few minutes he will be here on our altar in the bread and the wine that have become His true presence – his Body and His Blood, the Eucharist. He is here! He is alive! He is risen! And you CAN put your arms around Him. And you CAN touch His wounded places. And you CAN hear Him again - and always - speaking His words - clear words - of comfort and hope to you!
It’s a story we’re all familiar with. We’ve heard it so many times before. For, it is the story of our lives: Thomas . . . Didymus . . . The Twin . . . Me . . . You. We have heard. We have seen. We have touched. And because we have, we too, with Thomas, can proclaim, “My Lord and my God!” Look! The cross in which the nails of our sins is abloom! From death, there is life! For Jesus Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!
