The Wounded Savior Heals the Wounded Heart
John 20 | Luke 24
If you know the Easter story, you know about Thomas—the follower who doubted Jesus’ resurrection. Honestly, one of my favorite parts.
I feel a connection with Thomas. Like him, I’m a twin, and I also tend to blurt out whatever I’m thinking. (see John 11:16 & 14:5)
Thomas had a brave, blunt, loyal love—spoken out loud. I get that.
But that passionate follower is now known as a doubter. He wasn't there when Jesus first appeared. Then, when he heard the news, he had questions…who can blame him?
Truth is, they all needed proof. The women were stunned. The men hid. Two disciples had a race to the tomb to see for themselves. Mary clung to Jesus. The Emmaus travelers didn’t recognize Him until He broke bread. No one believed until they saw, heard, or touched Him.
We don’t know why Thomas missed the best surprise party ever—where the guest of honor did the surprising—but when he finally returned to his friends (a week later!), the room was buzzing: “Jesus is alive!”
He’d been through too much, though—a betraying friend, a chanting mob, a tortured Rabbi, a horrifying death, a week swallowed up by grief, guilt, despair—who could blame Thomas for wanting more than a group hug and a wild story? Hope felt too risky. He needed proof, but mostly he just needed to see Jesus.
Unlike the others, Thomas was brave enough to say the quiet part out loud:
“Unless I see the nail marks and touch His side, I won’t believe.”
The cry of a heart too broken to hope again.
After that long week, Jesus appeared again. He went straight to Thomas. No scolding. Just love. He offered His wounds—not to shame Thomas, but to heal him.
We don’t know if Thomas actually touched them. Probably he just fell into His arms, tears flowing, and declared, “My Lord and my God!”
Despair, grief, and fear swallowed up by love and life—a heart mended by a wounded Savior.
He hadn’t just seen Jesus—he had been seen by Jesus.
Jesus knows trauma can twist our faith and numb our hope. It overwhelms and makes us seem distant or angry. Some have been through too much to celebrate like everyone else. We need to see Jesus—touch, connect, and know He is real.
Jesus kept His scars to tell a story. They say to the wounded: I know what pain feels like. You don’t have to pretend it doesn’t hurt. Tell me what you need to see. Let me meet you there.
We can admit our heavy, doubting, hurting selves need to see Jesus.
And Jesus knows where to find you—wherever you are, with your doubts, scars, and broken pieces.
He will show up just for you.
Connection Reflections::
• Where are you struggling to believe that Jesus sees you and your pain?
• What would it look like to trust Jesus with the parts of your story that still feel wounded?