In choir practice not too long ago, I was impressed by the lyrics of a newer addition to the LDS hymnbook:

See, He lifts His hands above! Alleluia!
See, He shows the prints of love! Alleluia!
Hark! His gracious gifts bestow, Alleluia!
Blessings on His Church below. Alleluia!

("Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise", Hymns—For Home and Church, #1201)

Charles Wesley’s imagery of “prints of love” strikes me. I don’t think I have ever associated the word ‘love’ with the horrific scars left by the crucifiers of Jesus Christ. But as I ponder it, He left those scars in His resurrected hands, feet, and side as a reminder to me that, in fact, He died for me.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13)

With that reassurance, I am confident that I never need to go through life alone.

Further, I am comforted by His words:

“Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail . . .

“Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.

“Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.” (D&C 6:34, 36-37)

Because of the wounds He suffered for us—the wound in His side and those in His hands and His feet—we do not need to fear. His perfect love for us can cast out all fear (see 1 John 4:18).

Look unto Him. Fix your thoughts on His sacrifice for you. Don’t doubt. Don’t fear. Because those prints of love are graven for you.¹

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P.S. The Tabernacle Choir performs Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of “Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise” in this pretty fantastic rendition below.

Lead image courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

1. see also “Graven” at www.razingtherameumptom.com