Open Wounds

This is the painting hanging in my living room by the artist "The Jesus Painter"

It is just after Easter Sunday and all I can think about is Jesus' open wounds in his hands. Why would the Resurrected King come out still marked by the cost of sin? One of the disciples wouldn't even believe till they saw and touched Jesus' wounds (John 20:24-29).

To me, there has to be some reason why Christ still bears the wounds instead of them "being healed." I think there may be more to it than just so Thomas would believe. I think it is a constant reminder to those that follow God. 

After reading Jurgen Moltmann's book, The Crucified God, I can't help but be moved to look at the cross not just as the center of our hope but as a reminder to what it means to follow Christ; to pick up my cross, to follow Him, and the cost of discipleship. The cross no longer can be worn lightly and as "bling" but has to be carried. 

Christ suffered.  

God the Son became a man, suffered, and died for us. 

Every first Sunday of the month our church takes Communion together. It wasn't until I read Moltmann's book that I truly came to an understanding of what Communion was about. That we are supposed to come into communion with Him in His suffering and death. I had always thought of communion as a time to reflect that I was saved and come into communion with Him in salvation. But Christ asks us for a lot more than just salvation, He asks us to follow Him and pick up our cross. 

Which takes me back to the open wounds in my Resurrected King's hands. Why are they open, Lord? Why aren't they healed? Is it to serve a reminder to your redeemed church that we too are to remain open, to share our hurts continually? I think of the grief of losing our son... how that is an open wound in my life. I don't want to close it... too many have come to know Jesus because I have allowed that wound to remain open... perhaps, that is why Jesus' wounds are open. To remind us that we too must be willing to have open wounds so that others will come to know Christ.

To enter into communion with Him... means to be willing to have open wounds that glorify Him. 

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