John 20:25. "The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hands into his side, I will not believe."
THE PRINT: the cross and its identification. They are there: those visible evidences of an atoning sacrifice. Those wounds will forever testify to a work that is done - The indelible, unmistakable prints remain that human eyes Will be assured among all the false Christs that He is the One.
They are there: The Presence of the Risen Christ was thus identified - As He stood in their midst to show Himself to them. Startled by His appearance for they had seen Him crucified - He came to assure them by those prints, it was truly Him.
They are there: those wounds easily seen in His hands and His side - He spoke Peace to them as their crucified Lord - Now risen and visible, in no way trying to hide Those pierced hands and feet prophesied in God's Word.
They are there: see them in stretched out hands and deep spear wound. The blood has been shed and there is remission. This silences all false testimony some make that He only swooned - The cleansing flow paid the full price of redemption.
There will be false Chirsts come out of the darkness from time to time - Making false claims to those who their words believe. A simple test works that gives proof - ask for a visible sign Of nail prints and a spear wound before you give any heed.
There will be the time when He comes for His own. The prints will be there easily seen by all. Thomas was assured that from death Christ had come And the proof will still be there when for us He calls.
I don't know whether I will be allowed to touch the pierced hands, Or if through His royal robes the wound in His side will be shown. But I don't need to see visibly when by faith I can Be identified with Jesus' death, for His death was my own.
"Father, I praise Thee for giving testimony in Thy Word of the evidence of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. As one who has been crucified with Christ, I trust my hands are holy as I lift them up to Thee in worship. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."