Wounds
I’ve often taken comfort from the idea that Jesus’ resurrection body still bears the scars of crucifixion on his hands, feet, and side. A teacher I respect says that the only person in Heaven whose body remains imperfect will be Jesus, who carries the marks of mortality and the sacrifice he made for all humanity. I’ve also reflected on the idea that his wounds are an expression of his continual intercession for us – though we are perfected in the by and by, and never again sin, we will still be justified by Jesus’ righteousness rather than our own. We won’t hand his righteousness back and stand on our own merit once we can manage it. The righteousness of Christ, given to us through the cross in exchange for our own, is not a loan; it is the eternal justification on which we stand, and we will always be recipients of mercy because of the intercessory wounds of Christ. As the hymn writer captured so beautifully in the wonderful ‘Crown Him With Many Crowns’: ‘Crown Him the Lord of Love: B