Behold and LiveSpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: Jesus says, "I am proud to carry these wounds. I am not ashamed to call myself as the one who was nailed to the cross. I carry the wounds even in my resurrected, glorified body." The Bible says in Psalm 147:3, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." This is God's special and unique help.
Why does a heart break? A heart may break because of reproach, harsh words and sorrows of life.
In Psalm 69:20, the Bible says, "Reproach has broken my heart..." Reproach pierces through the heart like a two-edged sword.
Proverbs 12:18 says, "There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword." Harsh words from the mouth of people come forth like a two-edged sword, and hurt our feelings.
Proverbs 12:25 says, "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression"; Proverbs 17:22 says, "But a broken spirit dries the bones"; and Proverbs 18:14 declares, "But who can bear a broken spirit?"
In a particular village in India, there lived an 18-year-old girl. Often, she used to have seizures accompanied with stomach pain. At such times, the members of her family helped her out. One day, when the girl was alone, excruciating pain tormented her. Unable to bear the pain and tired of this perpetual agony, she determined to end her life. She poured kerosene all over her body and set herself on fire. As the blazing fire scorched her, she screamed. Neighbours came running and asked her, "What have you done?" They poured water on her, but she was pronounced 'dead'. After having conducted the last rites her body was taken to the crematorium. Just when the body was placed to set it on fire, life came back into her miraculously and she sat up looking at the happenings around her. Having understood the situation, she begged the people - not to save her life, but she said, "Please set me on fire soon; let me burn to ashes. I am tired of this life."
Many times, we too utter such words in despair: "I am sick of this life. I wish I were dead and gone."
Dear friend, the Lord Jesus went through that agony. In Matthew 27:46, the Lord cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
According to 1 Peter 2:24, He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes we were healed. Every man’s grief and sorrow was put upon Him. According to Isaiah 53:4, "He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted."
Every man’s infirmities, weakness, sicknesses and diseases were put upon Him. According to Matthew 8:17, "He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses." Galatians 3:13 reads, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree)." Every charm, witchcraft and curse has been laid upon Him.
When the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ revealed Himself in His new glorified body to His disciples, Thomas was not there. He questioned the other disciples, "Are you sure that it was Jesus? I must see the nail-pierced wounds in His body. Only if I put my fingers into those wounds I would believe." Eight days later, Thomas saw the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. In John 20:25-27, we read how Jesus said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing."
Yes, Jesus appeared to Thomas and showed His nail-pierced wounds. Jesus says, "I am proud to carry these wounds. I am not ashamed to call myself as the One who was nailed to the cross. I carry the wounds even in my resurrected, glorified body. I came to fulfill this will of the Father, to comfort all who mourn and wipe away the tears from every face. I have tasted death for everyone. I am not ashamed."
I often remember an incident narrated by Pastor T.L. Osborne. Abraham Lincoln, the President of United States of America was shot dead because of the declaration of the Emancipation Act that gave freedom to the slaves brought from Africa. At his funeral procession, millions thronged on either sides of the road. When the open coffin on which the dead body of Abraham Lincoln was placed passed by, an African woman lifted her daughter up on her shoulders and with tears rolling down her eyes, said, "Honey! Have a last look at the face of the man who died for liberating you."
Today, let us focus our eyes on the One who died for you and me. He lost all His comeliness in order to cleanse you from your sins, transgressions and iniquities. Life will flow into you when you look at the Crucified Saviour. Take time and look at the Lord Jesus Christ who was crucified for you. Behold Him and live.
Prayer:
Loving Lord Jesus,
I praise and thank You because You died to save me. Help me to focus my eyes upon Your sufferings on the Cross of Calvary and know that by Your stripes I am healed of all my sins, sorrows, sufferings, griefs and the worries of this world. Make my spirit rejoice in Your love. All praise, honour and glory belong to You alone.
Amen. |