From the many miraculous healings Jesus performs in the Scriptures, we can see that God wants to heal people who are suffering. Nevertheless, as we all experience, God doesn’t always bring healing in this life. In those cases, why does He let us continue to suffer? I think the answer can be found in Christ’s Resurrection.

Jesus was brutally tortured and murdered. His body was completely covered in wounds. And when He rose from the dead, He was healed of all of them . . . except for five. His hands, feet, and side all retained wounds. Why would his new, perfect body still bear these marks—not just scars, but exposed wounds? There are a few reasons, but the one I’d like to talk about is this: his wounds mean He’s like us.

Although He never sinned, He was wounded by sin. Although He’s God, He understands every human suffering so we can “with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16). As his body was glorified and healed, these five wounds were transfigured so that they were no longer a symbol of shame, but a sign of glory!

Jesus’ wounds are a reminder that, no matter what has happened to us or what we’ve done, the Lord can use it all for good. In fact, it’s often these unhealed wounds in our lives that the Lord uses to bring us to the heights of holiness and to be a witness to others, so long as we allow Him to transform them according to his will. So, ask Jesus to show you the beauty of your own wounds reflected in the glory of his.