In 1844 in the USA, Captain Jonathan Walker was so upset by the plight of slaves that he tried to help some of them escape to freedom. Sadly, the plan failed, the Captain was imprisoned and branded on to his hand were the letters SS standing for ‘Slave Stealer’. The Captain’s kind efforts were admired by many; one even wrote a poem called ‘The Branded Hand’ and part of it reads:

Why that brand is highest honour …
And thy unborn generations, as they tread our rocky strand,
Shall tell with pride the story of their father’s branded hand!

What pride there was in that branded hand. SS … Slave Stealer … or better Slave Saviour?

Jesus, the Saviour of the world was similarly treated by cruel men: ‘And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him …’ Luke chapter 23 verse 33. Crucified, nails pierced the hands and feet of Jesus the Saviour; a soldier would later pierce His side with a spear.

But those nail pierced hands, those branded hands, were evidence, proof of Jesus’ love for all. His suffering and death at Calvary brings salvation and deliverance to all who accept Him as their Saviour. After three days He was risen from the dead and those same nail pierced hands and side were the proof His followers needed that Jesus was really alive.

‘Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord’ John chapter 20 verses 19-20.

Millions throughout the world today will always praise and worship the only Saviour of the World, the risen Man with the Pierced Hands.