Christ accepted death; He allowed His Heart to be pierced on the Cross. From His side (Heart) from which blood and water flowed, all men are invited to draw water (life giving grace) from the springs of salvation.
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:27-28.
Christ retains His sacred wounds because they proclaim the glory and the victory of Christ.
Pilate’ words, "I find no crime in Him”. John 18:38
Jesus was led like a lamb to the slaughter. Innocent as He was, Jesus accepted the suffering.
By looking at Christ's wounds - His HANDS AND FEET AND SIDE, we understand, that suffering is absolutely necessary and that, we shall have wounds too.
Jesus not only comforts Thomas but encourages him with the words: “Put your finger here, and see my hands..."
To us, Jesus, says, 'Look at my wounds, they are marks of my love for you!'
When you are bruised, think of the whips that tore His flesh. When we are overtaken by suffering, we have to remember to not be afraid.
God is with us!
And God shall give us grace to suffer for Christ and to suffer with Christ.
Jesus was reminding Thomas gently, Do not fear what kills the body. In other words, death is only the beginning of an eternal walk with the Lord.
Romans 6:9 For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.
Thy wounds, oh Jesus! Thy wounds; these are my refuge in my trouble.
Christ retained His wounds in glory, to confirm to the disciples, their faith and hope of the resurrection, and to give them courage to suffer for His name.
Jesus constantly presents His wounds to the Father in Heaven supplicating in our behalf.
"If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him?" Romans 8:31-32.
The wounds of Christ are an everlasting revelation of the Triune God and of His redemptive love. The Wounds of Christ reveal the Perfection of Love
Unless we love one another as Christ did, we cannot fully understand His resurrection, principal among which is the outpouring of the Spirit of Love.
"Love one another; even as I have loved you" John 13:34
Love is a constant giving of self to God. It is in giving that we receive!
"See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." 1 John 3:1.
The sign of the Triumph of Love are the glorious Wounds of Christ.
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