Rediscovering the Scars of Jesus and Their Impact on the Church
John 20:19–31
The Gospel of John, chapter 20, verses 19–31, takes us back to those first appearances of Jesus after his resurrection. A few verses earlier, the Risen Christ has already appeared to Mary Magdalene, and now he does so before his disciples. Let us not lose sight of the fact that the author of the Gospel of John intends to present the divine nature of Jesus, highlighting his resurrection. One of the ways this author shows that Jesus has indeed risen is through his scars.
But what is happening in this scene? The text claims that the disciples are overcome with fear when Jesus appears to them. Later, another of his disciples, Thomas, is shown to be struggling with doubt and disbelief. Thus, there are two realities at play here: fear and disbelief. Jesus appears and says a beautiful phrase: “Peace be with you!” Not only that—he also shows his mercy by approaching Thomas, showing him his scars, which leads to transformation and a shift in perspective for all of them. This way, Jesus addresses both of the disciples feelings.
Dear church, the reality those disciples experienced is our reality. We live in a society and a world enclosed within itself, shaped by fear and disbelief. It is a society afraid of being judged for how it is, how it thinks, and even how it loves. It is a world full of fear and injustice. Just as those disciples hid in fear of being persecuted and sharing the same fate as their teacher, we have communities that live in fear and confinement, afraid of being persecuted and oppressed. These are the women who live in fear because of patterns of abuse in their homes. It is our youth who live disillusioned and unbelieving in the face of constant failed promises of a better future. It is the distrust of a church that has rusted within the iron structures of imperial temples; a church that has grown deaf to their own questions, preferring to keep them alienated. It is a church that, with its stage lights, has intentionally become blind to the pain. It is our elders, fearful of losing their right to a dignified quality of life. It is us—afraid, tired, and disbelieving amid all the conflicts and hardships that come our way each day.
In the midst of these realities, the Risen Christ appears again and says, “Peace be with you.” It is Jesus who steps into our complex lives, shows us his scars of compassion and mercy, and says, “My son, my daughter, have peace. I am at work.” It is Jesus who shows the scars of his love for creation by drawing near, allowing us to touch him, revealing his wounds so that we might understand that he has overcome them. And because he has, we can too.
On the other hand, the image of Jesus showing his wounds to bring peace and belief to his disciples is also a call for the Church to act. It is a call to reveal the evidence that truly identifies us as the body of Christ in a world that, like the disciples, lives in fear and faces a crisis of disbelief. But what are the church’s scars? I would like to mention a few.
Joy. In the midst of the crises humanity faces, we are called reflect the joy of the Lord, which is our strength. John Wesley said, “God is the joy of our hearts.” That joy comes from the love God has for each one of us. Living in the joy of the Lord does not mean denying our reality. Nor does it mean alienating ourselves or others from what we are going through. To reflect joy is to help others see that, even amid their struggles, God’s love strengthens, accompanies, and sustains them.
Prayer. We must understand prayer as a discipline that allows us to be connected to and intimate with God. For Wesley, prayer is the most powerful aspect that identifies us as children of God. We need to live a life of prayer. In it, we speak to God, but even more importantly, we listen to God and discern God’s will for our lives. Prayer is also a tool that helps us stay connected and empathetic with our neighbors. It is a space and an opportunity to affirm life in community.
Love for God and love for our neighbor. Beloved, the Church shows its love for God when it loves its brothers and sisters unconditionally. We cannot speak of loving God if we do not show genuine love for our neighbors. It is about an unconditional love—a love that affirms the dignity of every human being. The Church is called to bear the marks of a compassionate and inclusive love that rejoices in the happiness and full freedom of all people, regardless of their beliefs, social class, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.
Dear brothers and sisters, Christ continues to reveal himself to each of us so that, through his love, we may live in peace and not be afraid. Likewise, as Church we are called to embody the teachings and testimony that Christ left us. By doing so, we will be a Church that enables humanity to experience peace, to be strengthened by the joy of the Lord, and to be truly freed from fear, pain, disbelief, hatred, and oppression through his boundless love.
