The Far Bankનમૂનો

Look Ahead

In the early 2000s, a poor fisherman in the Philippines found himself stranded at sea during a fierce storm. When morning came, he dove into the water to retrieve his stuck anchor—only to discover it was caught on a monstrous clam. Inside was a large, shiny object. He had no idea what it was, so he took it home and hid it under his bed.

For ten years, he forgot about it—until he moved homes and remembered the mystery item. Eventually, officials identified it as what may be the largest pearl ever found, weighing seventy-five pounds and valued at $100 million. Hidden in plain sight. Assumed worthless. Priceless all along.

This story mirrors what happened at the cross. When Jesus was crucified, onlookers saw defeat and disgrace. Stripped, bleeding, and hanging on a tree, He looked like a fool. Even His disciples mourned, devastated that their long-awaited King had been cursed and condemned.

But they couldn’t have been more wrong.

The cross—the very place of shame and death—was where the power and glory of God shone most brightly. Jesus wasn’t defeated; He was victorious, crushing sin and death once and for all. The world’s formula—glory through status, power, and control—is flipped in the kingdom of God.

Jesus’ scars tell the real story. In Revelation, John sees the resurrected Christ as a “Lamb standing, as though it had been slain.” Why would Jesus still bear scars in heaven? Because those scars are not blemishes—they’re His glory. They are proof of His sacrifice, love, and triumph.

As followers of Jesus, we too are invited into this upside-down kingdom. One where the humble are exalted, where sacrifice reveals strength, and where scars can become signs of victory. May we no longer despise our wounds but see how Christ can redeem them to reflect His glory.

Reflective Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for turning shame into glory and defeat into victory. Help me see the world through Your eyes—not chasing power or prestige, but embracing humility, obedience, and trust. Teach me to bear my scars not with shame, but with hope. May I reflect Your love and power through a life surrendered to You. Amen.