It’s a SETUP for Greatness

John 20:24-29 

New International Version 

Jesus Appears to Thomas 

²⁴ Now Thomas (also known as Didymus^[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” 

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 

²⁶ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 

²⁸ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 

 Don’t be ashamed of your scars. The wounds that you encountered were real. They were painful. They really hurt. But know that your wounds… your scars were setting you up for glory! That’s right. Glory! 

 So often we go through so much in life, and we don’t realize that what we grow through is setting us up for something major. Jesus being nailed to the cross was setting the world up for something major! When He came down from the cross, Jesus was NOT ashamed to show someone like Thomas His scars. He wasn’t ashamed to show Thomas what he had to endure to get to the next level of His calling and purpose. But here’s the beauty in that. He got up from his wounds. He rose up! He didn’t let His wounds keep Him down. Matter of fact, He went and gladly showed what He went through in order to receive His breakthrough! We celebrate Jesus this very weekend for doing what He did on the cross so that we all could overcome! 

Don’t hide your scars. There’s power in them. There’s glory in them. It may not seem like it, but there is.  

Here’s a breakdown of how powerful your scars (and Jesus’) are: 

1. Our scars signify we were in a battle.  

2. Scars reveal a wound that has been healed. IF you’re ashamed of your scar, or you won’t confess your scar…can you say that you have been healed, set free and delivered from your scars!  

3. Scars speak of God’s goodness and faithfulness as we rely on Him. 

4. Scars show we are stronger than the thing that tried to hurt us.Scars prove we are overcomers. 

5. Scars serve as a testimony of faith, endurance, and perseverance. Scars can prove you have been healed and delivered. 

 These are just a few. Tune in to my podcast below as a preach a special message on the power of your scars. I break down 8 different things, and I don’t want you to miss it! Check it out now