Recognizing Divine Love Through Our Wounds

 

Summary

In our gathering today, we explored the profound question of recognition—how we are identified by those around us and, more importantly, how we recognize the divine presence in our lives. This reflection was sparked by a personal anecdote about being recognized by a familiar voice despite the barriers of masks and distance. This led us to consider the story of the disciples who, after the resurrection, initially failed to recognize Jesus. It was only when He showed them His wounds that they truly saw Him. This narrative challenges us to think about the nature of recognition and identity, both human and divine.

The resurrection accounts in the Gospels reveal a Jesus who is both familiar and transformed, a Jesus who bears the wounds of His crucifixion. These wounds are not just physical scars but symbols of the rejection and suffering He endured. They are also a testament to His love and the lengths to which God will go to reconcile with humanity. Unlike the mythical figures of Persephone or Adonis, who emerge unblemished, Jesus' wounds are integral to His identity and mission. They signify the depth of God's compassion and the transformative power of divine love.

We also delved into the theological implications of Jesus' wounds. They are a reminder of our own brokenness and the distance sin creates between us and God. Yet, they also embody the hope of reconciliation and healing. As Richard Rohr suggests, the pain we do not transform will be transmitted. Jesus' wounds, however, are transformed into a source of healing and resurrection, offering us a path to overcome our own wounds and the wounds we inflict on others.

In our lives, we often hide our wounds, fearing vulnerability. Yet, it is in the sharing of our pain that we find true intimacy and love. Jesus invites us to bring our wounds to Him, to be known and loved in our entirety. In doing so, we are called to respond to the world's pain not with more pain, but with the hope and healing of resurrection.

Key Takeaways:

1. Recognition Through Wounds: The story of the disciples recognizing Jesus by His wounds challenges us to consider how we identify the divine in our lives. Jesus' wounds are not just scars but symbols of His love and sacrifice, inviting us to see beyond appearances to the heart of God's compassion. [06:34]

2. The Transformative Power of Wounds: Jesus' wounds are a testament to the rejection He faced and the love He offers. They remind us that our own wounds can be transformed into sources of healing and reconciliation, rather than perpetuating cycles of pain. [13:48]

3. Sin as Distance: Sin is not merely a moral failing but a relational distance from God and others. Jesus' wounds bridge this gap, offering reconciliation and inviting us to overcome separation through love and forgiveness. [14:27]

4. Intimacy in Vulnerability: We often hide our wounds, but true intimacy comes from sharing our pain with those we trust. Jesus knows our wounds and loves us fully, inviting us to embrace vulnerability as a path to deeper connection and healing. [18:18]

5. Resurrection Over Retaliation: In a world marked by conflict and suffering, Jesus calls us to respond not with retaliation but with the hope of resurrection. His wounds remind us that healing and new life are possible, even in the face of deep pain. [19:05]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:08] - The Question of Recognition
[02:31] - A Personal Encounter
[03:19] - Changing Identities
[04:24] - Recognizing the Risen Jesus
[06:34] - The Significance of Wounds
[07:40] - Language of Resurrection
[09:47] - Teresa of Avila's Insight
[10:46] - Modern Misrepresentations
[11:57] - The Meaning of Jesus' Wounds
[12:54] - Scars in Heaven
[13:48] - Wounds as Rejection and Love
[14:27] - Sin and Reconciliation
[15:14] - Transforming Pain
[18:18] - Vulnerability and Intimacy
[19:05] - Embracing Resurrection

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 20:19-29 - The story of Jesus appearing to His disciples after the resurrection and showing them His wounds.
2. Isaiah 53:5 - "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
3. Exodus 3:14 - "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. How did the disciples initially react when they saw the risen Jesus, and what changed their perception? ([04:24])
2. What significance do Jesus' wounds hold in the resurrection accounts, according to the sermon? ([06:34])
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between Jesus' resurrection and the myths of figures like Persephone or Adonis? ([04:24])
4. What does the phrase "I am" signify in the context of Jesus showing His wounds to the disciples? ([07:40])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What might the disciples' initial failure to recognize Jesus suggest about the nature of His resurrection body? ([06:34])
2. How do Jesus' wounds serve as a bridge between humanity's rejection and God's offer of reconciliation? ([14:27])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that vulnerability and sharing our wounds can lead to deeper intimacy and healing? ([18:18])
4. How does the sermon interpret the concept of sin as relational distance rather than merely a moral failing? ([14:27])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you failed to recognize God's presence in your life. What might have helped you see Him more clearly? ([04:24])
2. Consider the wounds you carry, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. How can you begin to see them as potential sources of healing and transformation? ([13:48])
3. In what ways can you practice vulnerability in your relationships this week, sharing your wounds with someone you trust? ([18:18])
4. How can you actively work towards reconciliation in a relationship where there is distance or conflict? ([14:27])
5. Think of a situation where you are tempted to respond with retaliation. How can you instead choose the path of resurrection and healing? ([19:05])
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel distant from God. What steps can you take to bridge that gap and draw closer to Him? ([14:27])
7. How can you be a source of hope and healing in your community, responding to the world's pain with the love and compassion of Christ? ([19:05])

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing the Divine Through Wounds
In the story of the disciples recognizing Jesus by His wounds, we are invited to consider how we identify the divine in our lives. Jesus' wounds are not merely scars but profound symbols of His love and sacrifice. They challenge us to see beyond appearances and to recognize the heart of God's compassion. This recognition is not always immediate or obvious, as the disciples themselves initially failed to see Jesus. It requires a deeper understanding and openness to the ways God reveals Himself, often through the unexpected and the broken. [06:34]

John 20:27-28 (ESV): "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!'"

Reflection: Think of a time when you failed to recognize God's presence in a difficult situation. How might you look for His presence in your current challenges?


Day 2: Transforming Wounds into Healing
Jesus' wounds are a testament to the rejection He faced and the love He offers. They remind us that our own wounds can be transformed into sources of healing and reconciliation, rather than perpetuating cycles of pain. This transformation is not automatic; it requires a willingness to confront our pain and allow God to work through it. The wounds of Jesus show us that even the deepest scars can become a source of new life and hope, offering a path to overcome our own wounds and the wounds we inflict on others. [13:48]

Isaiah 53:5 (ESV): "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."

Reflection: Identify a personal wound that you have been carrying. How can you invite God to transform this pain into a source of healing for yourself and others?


Day 3: Bridging the Gap of Sin
Sin is not merely a moral failing but a relational distance from God and others. Jesus' wounds bridge this gap, offering reconciliation and inviting us to overcome separation through love and forgiveness. This perspective shifts our understanding of sin from a list of wrongs to a deeper awareness of how our actions affect our relationship with God and those around us. Jesus' sacrifice calls us to seek reconciliation actively, to mend the brokenness that sin creates, and to embrace the healing that His wounds offer. [14:27]

Ephesians 2:13-14 (ESV): "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility."

Reflection: Consider a relationship in your life that has been affected by sin or misunderstanding. What steps can you take today to begin the process of reconciliation?


Day 4: Embracing Vulnerability for Intimacy
We often hide our wounds, fearing vulnerability, but true intimacy comes from sharing our pain with those we trust. Jesus knows our wounds and loves us fully, inviting us to embrace vulnerability as a path to deeper connection and healing. This invitation challenges us to be open about our struggles and to trust that in our vulnerability, we can find genuine love and acceptance. By sharing our wounds, we create space for others to do the same, fostering a community of support and understanding. [18:18]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: Reflect on a wound or struggle you have been hiding. Who is someone you trust that you can share this with to foster deeper intimacy and healing?


Day 5: Choosing Resurrection Over Retaliation
In a world marked by conflict and suffering, Jesus calls us to respond not with retaliation but with the hope of resurrection. His wounds remind us that healing and new life are possible, even in the face of deep pain. This call to resurrection is a call to live differently, to choose love and forgiveness over anger and revenge. It is an invitation to be agents of change, bringing the hope of new life into situations of despair and brokenness. [19:05]

Romans 12:21 (ESV): "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you are tempted to retaliate or hold a grudge. How can you choose to respond with the hope and healing of resurrection instead?

Quotes

"O gracious Holy Spirit, shape and bless the humble and human words I speak, and the thoughts, feelings, and responses of those who hear, that this might be a time when we receive your peace and become witnesses of your risen love. In Jesus' name, amen." [00:00:30]

"The story from our Gospel today tells us how the disciples recognized the risen Jesus. You know, across the resurrection of Jesus. accounts where there are appearances by Jesus one of the commonalities is the fact that those who knew him, didn't recognize him at first, which in many ways seems predictable, because if your dearest love had died in an excruciating death on a Roman cross after torture on a Friday, and you saw them coming down the street on a Sunday, you would scarcely recognize them either." [00:04:05]

"It is one of those things about this unusual story that Jesus showed them his wounds. You know, some skeptics from the very beginning have tried to shrink these accounts of the resurrection into the patterns of the spring creation myths known in pagan faiths and other religions, and they've been trying to make it seem like a very simple thing. They've been trying to make it seem like a very simple thing. But it's not." [00:04:55]

"Well, this Jesus was somehow different. After all, the Jesus who walked with the disciples throughout his life with them, in his risen life with them, could seem to pass through walls and appear and disappear as easily as we can walk through three-dimensional space. There was something different. There was something different about this risen body, or as the scholar and historian N.T. Wright calls it, his transformed physicality, looking for language to describe it." [00:05:51]

"And here we have something very peculiar and particular about the Christian understanding and identity of God and God's glory. That somehow this, this divinity bears wounds and theologians and artists, Christian artists throughout history have always taken note of this. There is a beautiful story of Saint Teresa of Avila, a 16th century mystic and theologian who was renowned for her prayer life and the vision she had of the risen Jesus." [00:08:59]

"Teresa tells of Satan appearing to her disguised as Jesus. And very quickly she saw through the disguise and said, Be gone from me, Satan, and crestfallen and humiliated, Satan turned and left her until he turned around once again and asked her, How did you know that it wasn't Jesus? She said, You have no wounds." [00:09:50]

"What does it mean that Jesus shows his wounds? Well, I can offer you two meanings. The first is that those wounds are what we place there. They are a sign of our rejection of God's love. They are the sign of our resistance to the incarnate love of God come into the world. That we don't want it and we try to drive it out of the world onto a cross." [00:13:29]

"Sin is a relational term first, which describes distance. Distance from God and from one another. So sin is not overcome by punishment. Sin is overcome by reconciliation. And the wounds that Jesus bore were the sign that we had separated ourselves from God and from one another. And sought somehow a life apart from this." [00:14:40]

"redeeming love and in that same breath then those wounds are the sign of what God is prepared to do to overcome that rejection the wounds are born and in the bearing they are transformed a popular writer Richard Rohr has written the pain that we do not transform will most assuredly be transmitted and we can see that in Israel and Palestine I was there for a month eight years ago and learn the separate stories of the pain of the pain of the pain of the pain because if I join with you let the pain go be with us and it will tetra moments and each one of the torment we will live in and together forendo to full Ielt what God given us we stand full with a one hand tomorrow says always carry my victory satan 這個和我 asted life is fleeting for the all is" [00:15:14]

"When we look at this God who bears these wounds of rejection and transformation, we look at a God who wants to be known for this compassion as the God who takes our wounds into God's life and the God who looks upon us and our wounds and is not afraid of them." [00:17:35]

"We are so good in this life at hiding our wounds, keeping our pain even from those who love us. We are so good in this life at learning from those who love us. We bear them silently. Sometimes if we really trust someone, if we really believe in their love for us, we will be willing to share with them what we are going through." [00:18:18]

"The proclamation of these stories of the resurrection is that Jesus sees your wounds and holds them and loves you. Whether they be the wounds of Ukraine or the wounds of Palestine or the wounds of a loved one who is going through cancer treatments or has been told that their illness is terminal. Or it is the wounds of dementia or the wounds of a broken relationship or the wounds of a broken relationship Jesus has taken these wounds upon himself." [00:18:50]

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Transcript
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