Christ Wounds: What They Teach Us About Healing

Written By Richard Mattingley

Framing verse: “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.” (Isaiah 53:5)

When Wounds Do Not Seem to Heal

All of us carry wounds. Some are visible—like scars from an accident or reminders of a surgery. Others are harder to see—grief that lingers, betrayal that reshaped your trust, or anxiety that sits under your skin no matter how many times you pray it away. These wounds, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, often make us feel weak, unworthy, or permanently damaged. And yet, the heart of the gospel rests on a paradox: Christ Himself carries wounds.

The story of Jesus does not skip over pain. Our Savior’s body bore nails, thorns, lashes, and a spear. His resurrection did not erase those marks. When He appeared to Thomas and the disciples, His glorified body still carried scars. The gospel writers could have described a spotless, unmarked Christ, but instead they highlight His wounds (John 20:24–29). Why? Because in those scars lies our healing, and in His suffering we find a roadmap for our own restoration.

Why Christ’s Wounds Matter for Us

The wounds of Christ are not just symbols of pain; they are signs of victory. They remind us that God does not stand far off from human suffering—He steps directly into it. When Isaiah prophesied, “By His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5), he was not writing poetry for inspiration. He was declaring that the Son of God would take on every broken place in us, and that through His pierced body, we would find peace.

Think about this: Jesus could have risen without scars. Yet He chose to keep them. Why? Because scars are not the same as open wounds. Scars testify that healing has happened. Christ’s scars declare, “Death has done its worst, but life has the final word.” They tell us that the worst day is never the last day when God is involved.

Your wounds may still feel raw. They may not yet be scars. But the presence of Christ’s wounds gives you hope: what hurts now can be healed; what feels final can become testimony; what was meant for harm can, through God’s mercy, be transformed into good (Genesis 50:20).

What Christ’s Wounds Teach Us About Healing

The way Jesus carried His wounds has deep lessons for us. Here are three truths His scars whisper into our lives:

1. Healing Does Not Mean Erasing the Past

We often think healing means forgetting. If I were truly “better,” I would not still think about what happened. But Jesus carried His wounds beyond the grave. His resurrection body still bore them—not as sources of shame but as signs of glory. Healing means God redeems even the worst chapters of our story. The scars stay, but their meaning changes. They stop shouting, “You are broken,” and begin testifying, “You are redeemed.”

2. Pain Can Become Ministry

Thomas doubted the resurrection until he touched Christ’s wounds. Jesus did not rebuke him for asking; He offered His scars as proof. In the same way, your wounds—when surrendered to God—can become the very places others encounter Christ. Survivors of loss often become the most tender comforters. Those who battle anxiety often offer the most honest prayers. Pain that is handed back to Jesus does not stay wasted; it becomes ministry.

3. Healing Is Both Instant and Ongoing

On the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30). In that moment, the work of salvation was complete. And yet, the disciples still had to walk through fear, confusion, and waiting. Likewise, when you place your trust in Christ, healing begins instantly—you are forgiven, adopted, and made new. But healing also unfolds daily, as the Spirit restores your mind, heart, and relationships. Christ’s wounds remind us that healing is both a decisive event and a lifelong journey.

Bringing Your Wounds to Christ

So how do we actually bring our pain into the light of Christ’s wounds? Here are some gentle steps:

1. Name Your Wound Honestly

Jesus invited Thomas to touch His scars. He did not pretend they were gone. Healing begins when we stop pretending. Name what hurts—out loud, in prayer, or to a trusted friend. God cannot heal the mask we wear, but He can meet us in our honesty.

2. Anchor in Scripture

When your pain feels endless, hold onto God’s promises. Here are a few to carry with you:

  • Isaiah 53:5 – By His wounds you are healed.

  • Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:9 – His grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in weakness.

  • John 20:27 – “See My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”

3. Invite Community

Notice that Thomas saw Christ’s wounds with the disciples present. Healing rarely happens in isolation. Share your pain with trusted brothers and sisters. Carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Sometimes the presence of another believer is the very channel God uses to remind you that you are not alone.

4. Let God Redeem Your Story

Instead of asking, “Why did this happen?” consider asking, “Lord, how will You use this?” That shift does not minimize pain, but it opens the door for purpose. Christ’s wounds teach us that even suffering can become sacred when placed in the hands of God.

Two Real-Life Snapshots

Rachel lost her husband suddenly. For months she sat in church unable to sing, angry that God allowed her world to collapse. A friend gently reminded her that Jesus still carried His scars in heaven. “If He carries His wounds, maybe He can carry mine too,” Rachel thought. Slowly, she began journaling her grief and praying Isaiah 53:5 each morning. Today she says, “The wound has not vanished, but the scar is softer. His scars keep telling me I am not alone.”

Michael battled addiction for years. Shame told him he was beyond help. In recovery meetings, he would often quote 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you.” One night, while reading John 20, he realized that Thomas touched Christ’s scars before believing. “If Jesus could use His wounds to prove His love, maybe my scars can tell that story too.” Michael now leads a small group for men who feel trapped in shame, using his past wounds as an entry point for hope.

Common Obstacles (and Gentle Responses)

“My wounds feel too deep.”
Christ’s wounds went all the way to death. He understands depth. Nothing in you is deeper than His grace.

“I thought healing would be faster.”
Resurrection did not erase the waiting days of silence. God’s timing is not ours, but His faithfulness is sure.

“I am ashamed of my scars.”
Jesus is not ashamed of His. He showed them openly. Your scars, too, can speak of His glory.

“I do not feel healed at all.”
Feelings are real but not final. Healing sometimes happens quietly, like a wound closing under the skin before you notice. Keep bringing your pain to Him.

A Simple Prayer You Can Borrow

Lord Jesus, thank You that You did not hide Your wounds. Thank You that by them I am healed. Teach me to bring my pain to You instead of carrying it alone. Where shame tells me to hide, let Your scars remind me that nothing is wasted in Your hands. Holy Spirit, help me trust that what feels raw today will one day testify of Your faithfulness. Amen.

FAQs

Do my wounds disqualify me from being used by God?
No. In fact, often the very place you feel disqualified becomes the place God uses most. Paul called his weakness a stage for Christ’s power (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Why does God allow so much suffering?
This is one of the deepest questions of faith. The cross tells us God does not ignore suffering—He enters into it. Christ’s wounds assure us that suffering is not the end, but through Him, resurrection is coming.

Can emotional wounds really heal like physical ones?
Yes. It may take time, counseling, prayer, and community, but God restores hearts as surely as He restores bodies. Healing is often layered, but it is real.

How do I know if I need extra help?
If wounds from trauma, grief, or addiction are overwhelming daily life, consider walking with a Christian counselor or joining a support group. Professional help is not a lack of faith; it is a form of stewardship.

Conclusion

Christ’s wounds are not a footnote in the gospel—they are its centerpiece. They tell us that God’s love goes to the very bottom of human pain. They remind us that scars can shine with redemption. And they invite us to bring our wounds to the only One who can turn them into testimonies.

Next Steps & Internal Links

  • Want to learn how to anchor your mind when pain resurfaces? Read “Christian Meditation Techniques” (meditation biblical).

  • Struggling with anxious thoughts in the middle of your healing? Read “Biblical Ways to Beat Anxiety” (anxiety biblical).

  • Not sure what kind of professional support you may need? See “Counseling vs. Psychology” (counseling psychology).

You Do Not Have to Do This Alone

If you carry wounds that still feel raw, we would love to walk with you. Our coaching is gentle, Scripture-centered, and practical. Together, we help you discover rhythms that bring your pain into the light of Christ’s healing presence.

Consider exploring one of our courses designed for seasons of deep hurt and restoration:

You do not have to figure this out on your own. Send us a simple note that says, “I need help,” and we will point you toward the next right step.

Richard Mattingley
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Becoming a Biblical Spouse: Living Out God’s Design for Husbands and Wives