Jesus’ body was bruised and badly beaten – and then, He was hung on a cross to die. To this day, He bears the scars of the nails and the spear. In fact, they are identifying marks, like fingerprints. Even a doubter, like Thomas, believed when he touched them.

It was the scars that did it.

When Thomas was confronted with the scars, he repented, believed, and submitted to the One with the nail prints in His hands and the sword gash in His side.

“My Lord and my God!”

In Jesus’ day, it was the custom to punish criminals in one of two ways: scourging or crucifixion. Jesus wasn’t a criminal, but He experienced both.

He was betrayed by His own, captured in a garden, and brought to the Roman authorities. Pilate, the Governor didn’t understand. Somehow, this Jewish rabbi had run afoul of their Law, but He had done nothing worthy of death. So, he had Him scourged.

But that wasn’t enough; they were out for blood. Only crucifixion would do – and only the Romans could do it. So, to appease them, Pilate also had Him crucified.

The night before, in the garden, He asked His Father if He could pass on this part. He begged for any other way, any way at all… but the cup would not pass. He had to drink it – and so do we.

In fact, just that evening, He had passed the cup and told each of His followers to drink it. He broke the bread of His body, the unleavened, sinless bread of His body for them to eat, and… He passed the cup of His blood to drink. There was no other way.

And so, He got a new identity in His scars – and we do, too. Today, we bear the scars of His death every time we say, “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

His Body is still nail-scarred – and that’s a good thing!

When blood pours from our heart for the lost, they will find Him. When our nail-pierced feet go where He bids, they will meet Him. And, when our nail-pierced hands reach out in His Name, even the Thomases will believe!

It’s the scars that do it…