JOHN 20:24-29 – Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 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 disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

THEME OF THE DAY. SCARS OF LOVE. His name was William Dixon. He lived in Brackenthwaite, England and was a widower who had lost his only son. One day he saw that the house of one of his neighbors was on fire. Although the aged owner was rescued, her orphaned grandson was trapped in the blaze. Dixon climbed an iron pipe on the side of the house and lowered the boy to safety. His hand that held on to the pipe was severely burned. Shortly after the fire, the grandmother died. The townspeople wondered who would care for the boy. Two volunteers appeared before the town council. One was a father who had lost his son and would like to adopt the orphan as his own. William Dixon was to speak next, but instead of saying anything he merely held up his scarred hand. When the vote was taken, the boy was given to him.

The sacrifice of love. It was not the words of William Dixon which won the day and convinced the town council who would be the orphan’s caretaker. It was the “loud voice” of love in action. Mr. Dixon proved his love by obeying the command of the Apostle John – Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18). But it was obedience that cost; an act of great personal sacrifice which validates the deed is motivated by great love. And William Dixon would bear the marks of his loving sacrifice for the boy until his dying day.

There is Another bearing the marks on His hands of sacrificial love as well. Not burn marks, but nail prints. And His marks are forever and will be on display for all eternity as the Lamb slain for sinners (Revelation 5:6).

It is the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ that must be kept before our hearts and minds for two reasons. First if we want to live the Christian life as God intends, remember Christ’s sacrifice. It will keep our hearts spiritually sensitive and tender.

The second reason to think often of the Lord’s sacrifice is so we may defeat the devil when he tempts us to doubt God’s love. As he does, stop, and remember two words – nail prints. Allow these words to help us behold the Lamb on the cross of Calvary shedding His precious blood for us. It will not be long at that scene before we will proclaim, “Oh, how Jesus loves us!” And the more we taste of His love, the more we are drawn to live all of life consecrated to Him who proved His love by nail prints.

PRAYER: “Father, teach me to live overwhelmed with Your amazing love.”

QUOTE: “Make knowing more and more Christ’s love your chief passion in life.”