[God...made a lasting mark through
the sacrifice of Jesus. Hebrews 13:20 MSG
During
this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore the visible
evidence that identifies us as faithful followers of Jesus. Can others see
Jesus in our lives? ~ Donna Oswalt]
Maundy Thursday
But Thomas (who was called
the Twin ), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other
disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see
the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails
and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
From fellowship to
betrayal, so goes this day over 2,000 years ago. Christ knows His path, but the
disciples do not understand. Now, over 2,000 years later, Christians can
recount the story and explain its meaning because we have the Holy Spirit to
lead us and teach us about God's word; yet, if we are honest, we struggle with
understanding how God could love us so much.
Isaiah 49:16 God said, "Behold, I have engraved you on the
palms of My hands." God makes is clear that He will not forsake us,
that His compassion and mercy will be with His children. This is the mark God
bears. Jesus wears the mark of the nails, signifying His unfailing,
unconditional love for His own. He has us engraved on the palms of His
hands. Jesus bears the marks of total surrender, wounded and pierced
for the sins of all people.
- Write down words to
describe the Divine Love.
- Do you believe God
really, really loves you? Believe it!
Love Most High, this unconditional love You
give to me is more than I can understand. Just knowing that Your hands are
engraved with Divine Love for everyone makes me fall to my knees. I do believe!
- dho
All rights
reserved ~ used with permission of the author
Copyright 2013
by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author
For more
information about this ministry visit ~
“May you be
blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”
