WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:21.679 Scars. Wounds. Behind every scar there is often a story isn't there? And often it's not a good one. Scars tell us that a person has a past. They speak of a hidden shame. Scars of the heart. 00:00:21.679 --> 00:00:39.719 Speaking of deep wrongs done by us or to us. So we cover them up. We like smooth skin. We like smooth life. To look and feel squeaky clean. 00:00:39.719 --> 00:00:51.640 As we open up John's Gospel near the end here in chapter 20 we're given an account of the first couple of weeks after the death of Jesus Christ. 00:00:52.619 --> 00:01:05.680 Where his scars take a prominent place. John includes this passage here where Thomas won't believe until he sees the scars and the wounds. 00:01:05.680 --> 00:01:16.820 The message? We don't just see a resurrected man that first Easter Sunday but a scarred resurrected man. 00:01:17.780 --> 00:01:27.740 Because scarred people like you and like me don't just need a living Jesus but a living and wounded Jesus. 00:01:27.739 --> 00:01:35.619 In this famous appearance of Jesus from the dead he meets Thomas. Doubting Thomas you may have heard of him. 00:01:36.479 --> 00:01:41.199 I want to show you three aspects briefly of this meeting today. 00:01:42.239 --> 00:01:46.619 First of all Thomas' disbelief. Thomas' disbelief. 00:01:48.060 --> 00:01:50.299 Jesus says to Thomas in verse 27. 00:01:51.199 --> 00:01:55.399 Thomas don't disbelieve but believe. 00:01:55.400 --> 00:01:58.040 Now just for context. 00:01:58.040 --> 00:02:04.680 This moment, this meeting comes as the second of three appearances of the risen Jesus Christ. 00:02:05.820 --> 00:02:09.700 And John tells us that it's eight days after the first one, doesn't he? 00:02:09.960 --> 00:02:13.120 When Jesus appeared to Mary and some of the other disciples. 00:02:13.319 --> 00:02:15.060 If you were here last week we heard about that. 00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:20.300 The only thing is that at the first appearance Thomas wasn't there. 00:02:20.300 --> 00:02:27.020 He's one of Jesus' closest followers and yet at this moment he's an outsider. 00:02:28.160 --> 00:02:32.900 As far as the resurrection of Jesus goes, he's out of the loop. 00:02:33.060 --> 00:02:33.939 He's missed out. 00:02:35.080 --> 00:02:38.420 He's not seen or felt the risen Jesus Christ. 00:02:39.280 --> 00:02:42.060 And he says, I'm not going to believe until I do. 00:02:42.220 --> 00:02:45.720 It's quite strong what he says in verse 25, isn't it? 00:02:45.719 --> 00:02:48.879 I will never believe until I do. 00:02:50.479 --> 00:02:53.099 And maybe you can see yourself in him. 00:02:53.780 --> 00:02:55.599 And we don't blame him, do we? 00:02:55.900 --> 00:02:59.060 He's not had the advantage of being there the first time. 00:02:59.780 --> 00:03:01.419 And we kind of feel for him. 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:02.219 We understand. 00:03:02.219 --> 00:03:12.379 But the issue with Thomas' disbelief is actually he already has everything he needs to believe. 00:03:13.900 --> 00:03:20.039 John tells us, if you look down at verse 25 there, that Thomas now appears with the other disciples. 00:03:20.379 --> 00:03:25.840 And the other disciples told him, we have seen the Lord. 00:03:25.840 --> 00:03:33.099 Just eight days, just a week after the first appearance of the once dead, now living Jesus Christ, 00:03:33.640 --> 00:03:37.640 Thomas hears the testimony of a body of witnesses. 00:03:38.980 --> 00:03:43.300 Far more than would have been needed in a legal law court testimony. 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:50.259 Seeing might be believing, but hearing should be believing here. 00:03:51.300 --> 00:03:53.500 The other disciples told him. 00:03:53.500 --> 00:03:58.939 They told him that they'd seen Jesus Christ come back from the dead. 00:03:59.080 --> 00:04:00.879 They'd seen him, they'd been with him. 00:04:02.199 --> 00:04:07.900 People that he knew well, people he's been travelling with and following with Jesus with for months now. 00:04:08.020 --> 00:04:12.500 And they are telling him categorically and plainly, seriously Thomas. 00:04:13.780 --> 00:04:15.300 We have seen him. 00:04:17.019 --> 00:04:21.319 Those closest to Jesus and those closest to the events themselves. 00:04:21.319 --> 00:04:23.680 Those closest to Jesus. 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:23.759 Those closest to Jesus. 00:04:23.759 --> 00:04:24.259 Those closest to Jesus. 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:24.819 Those closest to Jesus. 00:04:24.819 --> 00:04:26.300 Hearing should be believing. 00:04:27.519 --> 00:04:29.379 But Thomas disbelieves. 00:04:30.860 --> 00:04:35.879 If you look down to the end of the passage in John there, Jesus gives us this promise, doesn't he? 00:04:36.399 --> 00:04:37.459 In verse 29. 00:04:37.680 --> 00:04:42.600 Blessed are those who have not seen and believe. 00:04:42.600 --> 00:04:49.660 And what Jesus shows us there is that what Thomas is asking for is not necessary. 00:04:50.960 --> 00:04:53.800 It is not a lack of evidence that is the issue. 00:04:55.100 --> 00:04:58.700 It is not the lack of evidence that is the real issue for you. 00:04:59.220 --> 00:05:01.360 Because Thomas has been told. 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:04.240 He has the disciples' testimony. 00:05:04.700 --> 00:05:08.140 A testimony of people who have already seen and been with Jesus. 00:05:08.139 --> 00:05:17.199 And this moment, doesn't it, teaches us that at the heart of disbelief is not a lack of evidence. 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:21.060 But our rejection of the evidence. 00:05:22.159 --> 00:05:23.860 Our rejection of a message. 00:05:24.599 --> 00:05:25.639 Of a testimony. 00:05:26.039 --> 00:05:27.479 And our dismissal of it. 00:05:27.480 --> 00:05:35.640 Chuck Colson was implicated in the Watergate scandal under Nixon in the 70s. 00:05:35.700 --> 00:05:37.340 And he wrote afterwards. 00:05:38.520 --> 00:05:40.800 I know the resurrection is a fact. 00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:44.180 And Watergate proved it to me. 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:45.400 How? 00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:50.620 Because 12 men testified that they'd seen Jesus raised from the dead. 00:05:51.160 --> 00:05:54.040 Then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years. 00:05:54.140 --> 00:05:55.540 Never once denying it. 00:05:55.540 --> 00:06:00.200 Every one of them was beaten, tortured, stoned, put in prison. 00:06:00.340 --> 00:06:01.319 And many of them were killed. 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:05.540 They would not have endured that if it weren't true. 00:06:07.240 --> 00:06:10.560 Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world. 00:06:10.700 --> 00:06:13.439 And they couldn't keep that lie for 12 weeks. 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:14.660 For 3 weeks actually. 00:06:15.660 --> 00:06:20.540 You're telling me 12 apostles could keep that lie for 40 years? 00:06:20.540 --> 00:06:26.560 Let me say that if this is the first time you've heard any of this. 00:06:26.680 --> 00:06:29.600 Maybe this is the first time you've been to a meeting like this. 00:06:30.400 --> 00:06:31.460 You're so welcome. 00:06:31.720 --> 00:06:32.660 We're so glad you're here. 00:06:34.379 --> 00:06:40.840 And you might be wondering that, well, is there enough evidence for the resurrection? 00:06:40.839 --> 00:06:44.119 And you can see yourself in Thomas. 00:06:46.619 --> 00:06:52.039 But you need to realise that you've been told, just as Thomas has been. 00:06:52.899 --> 00:06:55.179 You've been told by people who were there. 00:06:55.819 --> 00:06:57.419 Who actually saw him. 00:06:58.259 --> 00:06:59.739 You've got their testimony. 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:02.340 And you've got to ask, why would they lie? 00:07:03.439 --> 00:07:08.120 Why would they suffer and die and be persecuted for what they knew to be a lie? 00:07:09.300 --> 00:07:16.420 Why would centuries, millennia's of years of Christians die and be persecuted for what they knew to be a lie? 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:22.780 I want to say that if you're looking for evidence of the resurrection, it's not a bad thing to look for. 00:07:23.860 --> 00:07:27.660 But actually, all that you need is what you've got in your hands right now. 00:07:27.660 --> 00:07:30.520 Jesus says, that is enough. 00:07:31.460 --> 00:07:32.800 You have been told. 00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:35.740 You've been told by people who were there. 00:07:36.260 --> 00:07:37.340 It's more than enough. 00:07:38.140 --> 00:07:41.640 More than enough to convince you to stop disbelieving and to believe. 00:07:42.640 --> 00:07:48.360 You don't need to go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem or take up a PhD on ancient manuscripts. 00:07:48.680 --> 00:07:51.980 You just need to grapple with the message that is before you. 00:07:52.740 --> 00:07:53.879 To hear them out. 00:07:54.720 --> 00:07:57.600 And you're blessed if you do, says Jesus. 00:07:57.660 --> 00:07:57.860 Thomas. 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:00.520 Thomas' disbelief. 00:08:01.720 --> 00:08:05.840 But secondly, we see Thomas' discovery here, don't we? 00:08:05.880 --> 00:08:07.340 We see Thomas' discovery. 00:08:08.980 --> 00:08:11.860 Thomas is pretty well known for his disbelief. 00:08:12.580 --> 00:08:13.600 For his doubting. 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:16.160 Doubting Thomas, they call him. 00:08:17.220 --> 00:08:19.520 And he has enough to believe here. 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:24.579 But I want to be more generous to doubting Thomas than we usually are. 00:08:24.659 --> 00:08:27.879 Because I think the Gospel writer, John, is. 00:08:29.240 --> 00:08:32.360 In the end, we see here that Thomas does believe. 00:08:32.360 --> 00:08:35.580 And the nickname is not fair. 00:08:35.580 --> 00:08:43.940 I think John includes his story because there is something unique and climactic about his belief. 00:08:43.940 --> 00:08:46.000 As well as his doubt. 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:54.220 In the end, Thomas gives the clearest and most explicit statement in the whole of the Gospel of John. 00:08:54.220 --> 00:08:56.020 Of Jesus' identity. 00:08:56.960 --> 00:08:59.300 My Lord and my God. 00:08:59.299 --> 00:09:06.479 He maybe sees more clearly than anyone else the true identity of Jesus Christ. 00:09:06.620 --> 00:09:07.779 And he worshipped him. 00:09:09.159 --> 00:09:12.479 So what else was really holding him back? 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:15.700 He doesn't accept what he's heard. 00:09:15.820 --> 00:09:17.060 And that should be enough. 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:19.039 But there is something else. 00:09:20.340 --> 00:09:22.720 Looking more deeply at the passage. 00:09:23.180 --> 00:09:27.500 It is because Thomas has not seen the scars. 00:09:29.480 --> 00:09:31.420 It's a really funny request. 00:09:31.759 --> 00:09:32.759 If you think about it. 00:09:33.879 --> 00:09:37.100 I won't believe until I see the wounds. 00:09:38.120 --> 00:09:40.120 Until I see the marks of the nails. 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:41.800 The scars in his hands. 00:09:41.799 --> 00:09:45.079 And in his side where he's pierced on the cross. 00:09:46.199 --> 00:09:46.899 You'd have thought. 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:47.899 If I was Thomas. 00:09:48.019 --> 00:09:49.059 I'd just ask. 00:09:49.159 --> 00:09:50.399 I want to see him. 00:09:51.240 --> 00:09:53.159 I just want him to be in the room. 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:54.500 I just want to see him alive. 00:09:56.319 --> 00:09:58.859 But he's quite specific here, isn't he? 00:09:59.899 --> 00:10:02.599 It's the one thing that he kind of hones in on. 00:10:02.679 --> 00:10:04.139 That the others have had. 00:10:04.740 --> 00:10:05.939 That he requests. 00:10:06.179 --> 00:10:08.759 I want to see his scars. 00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:13.340 Jesus appears in this miraculous way. 00:10:13.439 --> 00:10:15.179 It's really odd, isn't it? 00:10:15.179 --> 00:10:16.360 As we read about it. 00:10:17.200 --> 00:10:19.299 John tells us the room was locked. 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:22.720 And Jesus comes and he stands in the room and says, 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:24.379 Peace be with you. 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:27.039 We can't explain that. 00:10:27.659 --> 00:10:30.500 He was dead and now he's alive again. 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:34.580 And he has a real body and yet it's been changed, hasn't it? 00:10:35.439 --> 00:10:36.840 He can walk through walls. 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:41.740 He's not held by the old restrictions and the weaknesses of a human body. 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:44.340 He's got a glorified human body. 00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:50.180 And so why, if he's got this perfect body, is it still punctured with wounds? 00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:55.379 You'd have thought the scars would have been wiped away, wouldn't you? 00:10:55.480 --> 00:10:56.259 In the resurrection. 00:10:56.720 --> 00:10:57.379 Cleaned up. 00:10:58.240 --> 00:10:58.840 Removed. 00:11:00.299 --> 00:11:02.240 But perhaps Thomas knows. 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:09.759 He knows that he doesn't just need a living Lord Jesus, who is squeaky clean. 00:11:10.539 --> 00:11:13.960 He needs a living and wounded Lord Jesus. 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:18.240 And Jesus shows them all his scars. 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:24.480 And we wonder, does this drive to the heart of Thomas' request? 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:31.360 That somehow he knows that a living Jesus without scars is not worth believing in. 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:38.899 John is the only gospel writer who tells us that Jesus was pierced in his side. 00:11:39.460 --> 00:11:40.600 He gives us that detail. 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:47.879 He gives us other details about nails hammered into his wrists and feet. 00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:51.840 A week before Jesus appears to Thomas, 00:11:52.480 --> 00:11:57.659 John tells us in a passage earlier that Jesus appears from the dead to his disciples 00:11:57.659 --> 00:12:01.019 in a similar situation behind locked doors. 00:12:01.019 --> 00:12:03.019 And what's the first thing he does? 00:12:03.019 --> 00:12:06.720 He shows them his wounds and his scars. 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:11.039 It is as if Jesus is saying, isn't there, 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:14.579 there will be no point in me living for you 00:12:14.579 --> 00:12:17.480 and rising from the dead for you 00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:18.779 on Easter Sunday 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:21.620 if I have not been wounded and scarred 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:23.460 and died for you 00:12:23.460 --> 00:12:24.960 on Good Friday. 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:30.480 My resurrection life means something to you 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:35.420 because of my Easter Friday death for you. 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:39.400 Every scar tells a story. 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:44.759 The young boy, Estor Taylor, had been given a new pair of roller skates. 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:47.900 It took a while to learn to use them 00:12:47.900 --> 00:12:49.560 but eventually he ventured out. 00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:54.519 But in his clumsiness, Estor Taylor lost balance 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:58.679 and skidded towards a stove in the kitchen. 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:02.319 At that moment his father dived in 00:13:02.319 --> 00:13:04.939 between Taylor and the stove 00:13:04.939 --> 00:13:09.119 but the momentum pushed his father against the oven 00:13:09.119 --> 00:13:11.299 severely burning him 00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:13.240 when he pulled away. 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:14.539 Sorry, it's graphic 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:16.620 but some skin was left behind. 00:13:18.359 --> 00:13:21.839 Taylor Senior was scarred for life. 00:13:23.699 --> 00:13:26.299 Some scars speak of shame, don't they? 00:13:26.779 --> 00:13:27.759 Scars we have. 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:33.099 But that kind of scarring speaks of sacrificial love. 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:36.800 And the scars on Jesus' body 00:13:36.800 --> 00:13:38.639 speak of his suffering 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:40.740 for the sake of his people. 00:13:42.279 --> 00:13:44.379 He is scarred for life. 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:46.659 For your life 00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:47.980 and for my life. 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:50.800 To take the scars 00:13:50.800 --> 00:13:51.840 that are due 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:53.980 in this world 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:56.920 of wrongs done by us 00:13:56.920 --> 00:13:59.320 and wrongs done to us. 00:13:59.320 --> 00:14:02.500 And we see the ugliness 00:14:02.500 --> 00:14:04.440 of that wrong, don't we? 00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:05.900 As we look at the cross 00:14:05.900 --> 00:14:08.060 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:14:09.040 --> 00:14:10.980 The wrong in our lives. 00:14:12.020 --> 00:14:14.400 We see that with the scars 00:14:14.400 --> 00:14:15.940 inflicted upon Jesus 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:18.020 in a brutal, shameful, 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:20.020 wrathful death 00:14:20.020 --> 00:14:21.600 in an unimaginable 00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:24.120 physical and spiritual moment 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:24.860 of suffering. 00:14:25.660 --> 00:14:27.900 Speaks of what we deserve. 00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:30.820 Peter says 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:31.840 in that passage 00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:32.860 on your sheets 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:34.840 that Christ suffered once 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:35.860 for sins 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:37.480 the righteous 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:38.960 for the unrighteous. 00:14:40.540 --> 00:14:42.820 Scars that speak to us 00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:44.240 of his sacrifice 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:45.640 of love. 00:14:46.900 --> 00:14:47.500 Scarred 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:49.080 for life. 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:52.400 And perhaps Thomas knew 00:14:52.400 --> 00:14:54.080 that without those scars 00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:55.080 our wounds 00:14:55.080 --> 00:14:56.260 will never heal. 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:58.600 and we can never 00:14:58.600 --> 00:14:59.340 be forgiven. 00:15:00.299 --> 00:15:01.279 We can never be 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:01.960 clean 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:03.500 in God's sight. 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.700 Wrongs can never 00:15:04.700 --> 00:15:05.620 be put right. 00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:07.759 And the peace 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:09.120 that Jesus offers 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:10.200 in this room 00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:12.279 cannot arrive 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:13.399 without seeing 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:14.220 the scars 00:15:14.220 --> 00:15:15.139 of the end 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:15.960 of the war. 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:18.759 The disbelief, 00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:20.460 the discovery, 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:21.519 and thirdly 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:22.159 and lastly 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:23.000 the demand. 00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:24.340 The demand. 00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:27.019 Thomas makes 00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:27.639 a demand 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.460 here doesn't he? 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:29.860 I've got to see 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:30.700 the scars. 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:32.480 And Christ 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:34.000 graciously answers 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:36.100 and he makes 00:15:36.100 --> 00:15:37.660 that prayer 00:15:37.660 --> 00:15:39.280 a reality. 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:40.960 He shows him 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:41.740 the scars 00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:42.680 but then he 00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:44.120 makes a demand 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:45.580 of Thomas too 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:46.080 doesn't he? 00:15:46.460 --> 00:15:47.160 In return. 00:15:48.160 --> 00:15:49.519 Stop disbelieving 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:51.019 and believe. 00:15:52.439 --> 00:15:52.960 And I think 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:53.639 we need to pay 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:54.779 attention to both. 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.039 We need 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:57.519 in a way 00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:58.000 to make 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:59.019 the same demand 00:15:59.019 --> 00:15:59.740 that Thomas 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:00.159 does. 00:16:01.199 --> 00:16:02.100 To never 00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:02.960 accept 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:03.919 a cross 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:04.579 less 00:16:04.579 --> 00:16:05.220 Christ. 00:16:06.199 --> 00:16:07.079 To never 00:16:07.079 --> 00:16:08.399 accept a cross 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:09.019 less 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.799 Christianity. 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:11.720 And if there 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:12.960 are no wounds 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:14.319 on your Christ 00:16:14.319 --> 00:16:15.419 and no wounds 00:16:15.419 --> 00:16:16.579 in your Christianity 00:16:16.579 --> 00:16:17.379 it is not 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:18.179 the real thing. 00:16:18.179 --> 00:16:20.599 The legend 00:16:20.599 --> 00:16:21.179 goes of 00:16:21.179 --> 00:16:22.000 St. Teresa 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:22.879 of Avila 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:25.019 who one day 00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:25.759 saw a vision 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:26.399 of the devil 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:27.299 who appeared 00:16:27.299 --> 00:16:27.719 to her 00:16:27.719 --> 00:16:28.439 in the form 00:16:28.439 --> 00:16:29.159 of Christ. 00:16:30.319 --> 00:16:30.979 But Teresa 00:16:30.979 --> 00:16:31.839 wasn't fooled 00:16:31.839 --> 00:16:32.559 for a second. 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:33.379 She immediately 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:34.359 dismissed him 00:16:34.359 --> 00:16:35.979 and before leaving 00:16:35.979 --> 00:16:36.919 the devil asked her 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:37.819 how did you know? 00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:38.679 How did you know 00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:39.639 I wasn't the Christ? 00:16:40.439 --> 00:16:41.099 Her answer 00:16:41.099 --> 00:16:43.240 no wounds. 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:45.840 The appearance 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:46.519 of Jesus 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:47.180 to Thomas 00:16:47.180 --> 00:16:47.759 gives us 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:48.779 something unique 00:16:48.779 --> 00:16:49.279 doesn't it? 00:16:49.539 --> 00:16:50.379 It teaches us 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:51.299 to look for 00:16:51.299 --> 00:16:52.019 healing 00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:53.620 only in the 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.080 one with 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:54.659 wounds. 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:56.639 To recognise 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:57.340 healing and 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:57.680 forgiveness 00:16:57.680 --> 00:16:58.440 in him 00:16:58.440 --> 00:16:58.940 alone. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:00.779 We do 00:17:00.779 --> 00:17:01.360 not 00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:02.259 accept 00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:03.220 a Christ 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:04.000 who promises 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:04.920 health and 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:05.480 wealth in 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.160 this life. 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:07.599 And if you've 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:08.319 been told about 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:08.660 him 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:09.900 then be a 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:10.299 doubting 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:10.799 Thomas. 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:12.839 We like 00:17:12.839 --> 00:17:13.220 Thomas 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:14.039 don't need 00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:14.519 a God 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:14.940 who has 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:15.579 coasted 00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:16.159 through this 00:17:16.159 --> 00:17:16.599 life 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:17.480 with ease 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:18.319 and who 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:19.039 promises us 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:19.639 the same. 00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:21.200 We don't 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:21.759 need a God 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.240 who's never 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:22.659 suffered. 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.599 We need 00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:25.099 a living 00:17:25.099 --> 00:17:25.639 God 00:17:25.639 --> 00:17:26.899 a God 00:17:26.899 --> 00:17:27.200 who is 00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:27.940 involved 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:29.599 a wounded 00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:30.019 God. 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.799 We need 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.139 a God 00:17:32.139 --> 00:17:32.419 who's 00:17:32.419 --> 00:17:32.839 truly 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:33.319 suffered 00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:34.339 and exhausted 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:35.319 all of the 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:35.839 hurt 00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:37.159 and all of 00:17:37.159 --> 00:17:37.639 the wrong 00:17:37.639 --> 00:17:38.180 and all of 00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:38.779 the scars 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.299 that we 00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:39.859 deserve 00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:40.379 and we 00:17:40.379 --> 00:17:41.139 receive 00:17:41.139 --> 00:17:42.439 so that 00:17:42.439 --> 00:17:43.179 true healing 00:17:43.179 --> 00:17:43.879 might come 00:17:43.879 --> 00:17:44.799 for body 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.379 and for 00:17:45.379 --> 00:17:45.719 soul. 00:17:47.399 --> 00:17:48.119 We don't 00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:48.679 need a 00:17:48.679 --> 00:17:48.919 God 00:17:48.919 --> 00:17:49.219 who is 00:17:49.219 --> 00:17:49.619 merely 00:17:49.619 --> 00:17:50.639 tattooed 00:17:50.639 --> 00:17:51.679 with 00:17:51.679 --> 00:17:52.199 suffering. 00:17:53.159 --> 00:17:53.359 I was 00:17:53.359 --> 00:17:53.759 reading an 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:54.579 article by 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:55.099 a guy 00:17:55.099 --> 00:17:55.399 called 00:17:55.399 --> 00:17:55.740 Brett 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.259 McKay 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:56.799 this week 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:57.059 who 00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:58.000 writes 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:59.079 a blog 00:17:59.079 --> 00:17:59.719 for men 00:17:59.719 --> 00:18:00.139 really 00:18:00.139 --> 00:18:01.099 modern 00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:01.559 men 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.059 and he 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:02.539 talks about 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:03.339 our interest 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:04.099 in tattoos. 00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:04.639 It's really 00:18:04.639 --> 00:18:05.119 interesting. 00:18:05.639 --> 00:18:06.019 Sorry if 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:06.279 you've got 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:06.719 a tattoo 00:18:06.719 --> 00:18:07.179 guys 00:18:07.179 --> 00:18:07.539 today. 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.299 This isn't 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:10.200 me getting 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:10.599 at you 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:11.019 but he 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:11.700 says that 00:18:11.700 --> 00:18:12.720 modern men 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:14.559 love tattoos 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:15.819 because in 00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:16.420 our culture 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:17.099 we've never 00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:18.119 crawled under 00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:18.960 barbed wire 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:20.139 but we've 00:18:20.139 --> 00:18:20.480 got it 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:21.139 wrapped around 00:18:21.139 --> 00:18:21.980 our bicep. 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.539 We've never 00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:24.500 seen a tiger 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:25.359 but we've 00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:25.879 got one on 00:18:25.879 --> 00:18:26.460 our back. 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:28.379 We're not 00:18:28.379 --> 00:18:29.220 part of any 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:30.159 tribe but we've 00:18:30.159 --> 00:18:30.879 got tribal 00:18:30.879 --> 00:18:31.559 symbols on 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:32.180 our chest. 00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:34.059 For the 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:34.799 modern man 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:35.779 without battles 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.660 and dangerous 00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:37.539 adventures to 00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:38.160 mark our 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:38.639 skin with 00:18:38.639 --> 00:18:39.099 wounds 00:18:39.099 --> 00:18:40.139 showing where 00:18:40.139 --> 00:18:40.599 we've been 00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:40.980 and what 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:41.500 we've done 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:42.680 we paint on 00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:43.480 symbols of 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:44.160 what we'd 00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:44.559 like to 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:45.099 have done 00:18:45.099 --> 00:18:46.160 and how 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:46.619 we'd like 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:46.980 to see 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:47.680 ourselves. 00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:50.059 While scars 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:50.599 used to 00:18:50.599 --> 00:18:51.599 identify us 00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:52.079 to others 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:52.639 we now 00:18:52.639 --> 00:18:54.019 use tattoos 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:55.000 to identify 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.839 ourselves 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:57.160 to ourselves. 00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.460 But Jesus 00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:00.099 is not 00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:01.259 merely a 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:02.119 scarred man 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:03.160 merely a 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:03.920 tattooed man 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:04.259 is he? 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:05.940 Jesus is 00:19:05.940 --> 00:19:06.980 no pretender 00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:08.700 he is no 00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:09.339 poser 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:11.259 he is no 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:13.000 smooth skinned 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:13.740 tattooed 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:14.119 god 00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:16.099 this is no 00:19:16.099 --> 00:19:16.819 stolen 00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:17.460 valour 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:18.700 he's the 00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:19.319 real deal 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.980 and his 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:22.019 scars speak 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:23.099 of real 00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:24.559 real sacrifice 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:26.359 and maybe 00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:26.900 you're like 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:27.480 Thomas in 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:28.079 this way 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:29.539 that you'll 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.319 never trust 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:30.960 a man who's 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:31.839 never suffered 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:33.459 and you'll 00:19:33.459 --> 00:19:34.099 never trust 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:34.519 the god 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.139 whose feet 00:19:35.139 --> 00:19:35.599 have never 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:36.119 touched the 00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:36.579 ground of 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:37.159 this earth 00:19:37.159 --> 00:19:37.899 and you 00:19:37.899 --> 00:19:38.439 shouldn't 00:19:38.439 --> 00:19:39.279 you shouldn't 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:41.139 but the 00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:41.959 living and 00:19:41.959 --> 00:19:42.959 wounded lord 00:19:42.959 --> 00:19:43.779 is here 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:45.879 and so he 00:19:45.879 --> 00:19:46.839 makes a demand 00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:47.639 of us in 00:19:47.639 --> 00:19:48.159 return 00:19:48.159 --> 00:19:50.299 stop believing 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:52.639 stop disbelieving 00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:54.159 and believe 00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:56.019 to come to 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:56.540 the wounded 00:19:56.540 --> 00:19:57.220 saviour 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:58.120 whose scars 00:19:58.120 --> 00:19:58.860 speak to 00:19:58.860 --> 00:19:59.480 you of 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.240 his love 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:02.259 scarred for 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.840 life 00:20:02.840 --> 00:20:04.900 he's scarred 00:20:04.900 --> 00:20:05.620 for your 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:06.420 new life 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:08.019 for true 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:08.420 healing 00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:09.160 for forgiveness 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:10.259 wrongs put 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:10.960 right between 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:11.560 you and 00:20:11.560 --> 00:20:12.120 god and of 00:20:12.120 --> 00:20:12.580 cleansing 00:20:12.580 --> 00:20:15.100 so come to 00:20:15.100 --> 00:20:15.860 the wounded 00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:16.440 one 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.880 come to 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:18.620 the living 00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:19.800 and wounded 00:20:19.800 --> 00:20:21.440 lord jesus 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:21.940 christ 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.820 this easter 00:20:22.820 --> 00:20:24.620 let's pray 00:20:24.620 --> 00:20:25.059 together 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:27.059 you