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Rich Wounds: The Countless Treasures of the Life, Death, and Triumph of Jesus
Thirty short but profound reflections that help you to meditate on and marvel at the sacrificial love of Jesus. This book also works fantastically as a devotional. These short but profound reflections from David Mathis, author of The Christmas We Didn’t Expect, will help you to look deeper at Jesus’ life, sacrificial death and spectacular resurrection—enabling you to treasure anew who Jesus is and what he has done for us. Many of us are so familiar with the Easter story that it becomes easy to miss subtle details and difficult to really enjoy its meaning. This book will help you to pause and marvel at Jesus, whose now-glorified wounds are a sign of his unfailing love and the decisive victory that he has “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) This book works fantastically as a devotional at any time of year. The chapters on Holy Week make it especially helpful during the Lent season and at Easter.
192 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2022
73 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
David Mathis
42 books58 followersDavid Mathis (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary Orlando) is executive editor at desiringGod.org and an elder at Bethlehem Baptist Church in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. His seminary experience includes Reformed Theological Seminary and Bethlehem College & Seminary, where he now serves as adjunct professor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 23, 2024
“Easter announces, in the voice of the risen Christ, “Your sorrow will turn into joy” and “no one will take your joy from you.”
Examining the life of Christ, the death of Christ, and his triumph, David Mathis explores the treasures of Jesus. I absolutely loved it. So profound, yet easy to read. So enriching as I prepare my heart for Resurrection Sunday. This book can be read as a devotional leading up through passion week, or read in one sitting. Either way, you will find it to be deeply uplifting.
Examining the life of Christ, the death of Christ, and his triumph, David Mathis explores the treasures of Jesus. I absolutely loved it. So profound, yet easy to read. So enriching as I prepare my heart for Resurrection Sunday. This book can be read as a devotional leading up through passion week, or read in one sitting. Either way, you will find it to be deeply uplifting.
April 12, 2023
Wow! What a profound help this book was in preparing Peter and I’s hearts for Easter. We started it at the beginning of Lent and it carried us through Passion week. My heart felt so ready to worship on Resurrection Day! Highly recommend going through a book or study to prep your heart for Lent or advent…and if I may be so bold, may this book be on your list for next years spring to use to prep your heart for Easter!
April 17, 2022
I love that no matter how many times I read about the Jesus’s death on the cross and His subsequent resurrection it still gets me. And I still learn more about it. This book was a perfect Lent read for me. Mathis has brought his writing skills in a clear and concise manner, creating a book with short devotional sized readings a perfect compliment to a morning Bible study. I can’t wait to give this away to someone so they can enjoy it too. Highly recommended
April 26, 2022
Read this aloud together with Ashley. Honestly one of the best Christian books I have ever read. Mathis does an excellent job of expositing scripture surrounding the life and depth of Christ. His writing is beautiful and deeply edifying.
April 21, 2025
Excellent book to read in the lead up to Easter. And honestly good for all year round. the audio was excellent and read by the author. Each chapter was about 10 minutes long and ended with a prayer which was a beautiful way to prepare for Easter without having to give up my normal devotional time, I could just add it on afterwards. This is definitely a book I'd love to own a physical copy of. Highly recommend!
April 1, 2024
Simple little kindling for a hearty heart-fire. I read this over lent and it was great to just sit back and enjoy how Mathis displays Jesus being Jesus. He has quite a straightforward way of writing that I found really helpful as it rarely gets the way of the straightforward yet profound Gospel content.
April 10, 2023
Stellar. Bitesize, rich, thought-provoking daily Lent devotionals that helped my heart anticipate & more deeply treasure Easter Sunday! Could read alone, as a family, with a friend, etc.
April 5, 2022
Helpful meditations on the life, death and victory of Jesus
February 21, 2022
How can you dwell deep in the Easter story? What can you find in the wounds of Christ? In Rich Wounds, David Mathis shows us the countless treasures in the life, death, and triumph of Jesus.
Devotional
The book is broken into three parts, taking different approaches and angles to understanding the Easter story. Part 1: His Life, looks at eight aspects of Jesus’ life. Part 2: His Death, examines the wondrous work of Jesus’ cross. Part 3: His Triumph, is an extended look at Jesus’ resurrection. Part 4: His Passion Week, journeys through the proper Easter story, ending on Easter Sunday.
Mathis soaks his entire book in Scripture. And he has a way of drawing out devotions from the simplest sentences. I loved how he explains what it means for us to have a Savior who works as well as sleeps, and when it’s time to rest or sacrifice sleep.
Theological
But I especially enjoyed the chapter on what it means to have a Savior who walks. Mathis says that a walking pace set the standard for Jesus’ ministry, and it is this steadfastness that shows he was not distracted by his past or hurrying into the future. When he was pressured, he trusted his Father, and he walked in faith. It is the Christian’s pace of love.
I appreciate how Mathis is deeply theological. In Chapter 10, he lists five benefits that Christ purchased on the cross. Propitiation, justification, redemption, reconciliation, and pacification show just how precious the blood of Jesus is. And in Chapter 13, he compares the Old Covenant with Christ’s New Covenant of Grace. The book remains worshipful throughout. Theology and doxology.
Worshipful
The book crescendos at Part 3: His Triumph, and Mathis makes much of Christ’s resurrection. Probably my favorite chapter in this book, Chapter 16 ponders what it means for Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to have a human heart. Also in this section, Mathis explains how Christ is unstoppable, how he is exalted, and how he has sat down. His wounds will never fade, and his worship will never end.
By the time you get to Part 4, having spent so much time examining the life and work of Christ, you feel the weight behind his Passion week. The most important week in history culminates in the risen King. In a moving conclusion, Mathis looks at the lyrics to “Jesus I My Cross Have Taken.” With the song, and Scripture, Mathis calls us to take up our cross. By dying to self, we gain Christ. It’s his glories, now, we sing.
I received a media copy of Rich Wounds and this is my honest review
Devotional
The book is broken into three parts, taking different approaches and angles to understanding the Easter story. Part 1: His Life, looks at eight aspects of Jesus’ life. Part 2: His Death, examines the wondrous work of Jesus’ cross. Part 3: His Triumph, is an extended look at Jesus’ resurrection. Part 4: His Passion Week, journeys through the proper Easter story, ending on Easter Sunday.
Mathis soaks his entire book in Scripture. And he has a way of drawing out devotions from the simplest sentences. I loved how he explains what it means for us to have a Savior who works as well as sleeps, and when it’s time to rest or sacrifice sleep.
Theological
But I especially enjoyed the chapter on what it means to have a Savior who walks. Mathis says that a walking pace set the standard for Jesus’ ministry, and it is this steadfastness that shows he was not distracted by his past or hurrying into the future. When he was pressured, he trusted his Father, and he walked in faith. It is the Christian’s pace of love.
I appreciate how Mathis is deeply theological. In Chapter 10, he lists five benefits that Christ purchased on the cross. Propitiation, justification, redemption, reconciliation, and pacification show just how precious the blood of Jesus is. And in Chapter 13, he compares the Old Covenant with Christ’s New Covenant of Grace. The book remains worshipful throughout. Theology and doxology.
Worshipful
The book crescendos at Part 3: His Triumph, and Mathis makes much of Christ’s resurrection. Probably my favorite chapter in this book, Chapter 16 ponders what it means for Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to have a human heart. Also in this section, Mathis explains how Christ is unstoppable, how he is exalted, and how he has sat down. His wounds will never fade, and his worship will never end.
By the time you get to Part 4, having spent so much time examining the life and work of Christ, you feel the weight behind his Passion week. The most important week in history culminates in the risen King. In a moving conclusion, Mathis looks at the lyrics to “Jesus I My Cross Have Taken.” With the song, and Scripture, Mathis calls us to take up our cross. By dying to self, we gain Christ. It’s his glories, now, we sing.
I received a media copy of Rich Wounds and this is my honest review
April 9, 2023
This year's Lent devotional. Some days were dynamite - others a bit dry. But always good to spend extra time focusing in on the cross and empty tomb.
April 18, 2022
Great devotional to use on the lead up to Easter
April 21, 2025
Used this as a lent devo and loved it! Left me praising Jesus for the way he sought me in his suffering, so that I may now seek him in mine.
“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
“Crown him the Lord of love! Behold his hands and side - Rich wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.” - Crown Him with Many Crowns (Hymn by Matthew Bridges 1851)
“They are indeed rich wounds: scars that radiate glory, marks that demonstrate love, blemishes that were once the site of his agony and are now the balm for our healing” (126).
“In all the terror and torment, in all his sorrow and distress, he chose the cross because he tasted the joy to come” (156).
“God wrote ‘good’ on the single worst day in the history of the world. And there is not one day - or week, month, year or lifetime of suffering - not one trauma, not one loss, not one pain over which God cannot write good for you in Christ Jesus” (164).
“Jesus is not an accessory. He is a treasure worth selling all to gain (Matthew 13:44). Coming to him means clearing the grounds of our lives and rebuilding all in light of him” (178).
Each chapter ended with a prayer. A few I want to remember and return to:
- Father, we cling to his scars, and the good news they tell: that you are for us in Christ; that our sins have been covered, our debt has been paid, the path of life has been opened for us by the slain Lamb. Oh, what you do with scars! Oh, what glory can come from wounds! Restore our hope, and make our own wounds into echoes of Christ’s, being beautified in his.
- Open our ears to the voice of your risen Son and his promises to us - to turn our sorrow to joy, and to give us the joy no one can take from us. We submit our lives, our minds, our hearts, our all to our risen Lord. We marvel at this life, and what he accomplished in his death; we wonder at who he is for us now, in his risen life, reigning over all at your right hand. Thank you, Father, for Jesus. We worship you in him. We bow before our risen Lord, in awe, in glad submission, in the undaunted hope of resurrection, and entrust afresh our small lives to his great purposes and plans.
- Father, in a day of acceleration, would you slow our souls and steps to the pace of love? Remind us again and again why you put us here, and why, for now, you keep us here. It is not for us to make a name for ourselves or secure our heaven with our work, nor to pretend we have our heaven now. Like Jesus, we want to walk in faith. One foot in front of the other. Day after day. To walk with you, to find the pace to which you’ve called us, and to see and meet the needs of others. Help us to walk like Jesus.
- We cherish your Son as our Lord and Savior and supreme treasure in all the ways you reveal his person and work to us. Captivate us afresh with his superiority over all that came before, all that is, and all that is to come.
“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
“Crown him the Lord of love! Behold his hands and side - Rich wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.” - Crown Him with Many Crowns (Hymn by Matthew Bridges 1851)
“They are indeed rich wounds: scars that radiate glory, marks that demonstrate love, blemishes that were once the site of his agony and are now the balm for our healing” (126).
“In all the terror and torment, in all his sorrow and distress, he chose the cross because he tasted the joy to come” (156).
“God wrote ‘good’ on the single worst day in the history of the world. And there is not one day - or week, month, year or lifetime of suffering - not one trauma, not one loss, not one pain over which God cannot write good for you in Christ Jesus” (164).
“Jesus is not an accessory. He is a treasure worth selling all to gain (Matthew 13:44). Coming to him means clearing the grounds of our lives and rebuilding all in light of him” (178).
Each chapter ended with a prayer. A few I want to remember and return to:
- Father, we cling to his scars, and the good news they tell: that you are for us in Christ; that our sins have been covered, our debt has been paid, the path of life has been opened for us by the slain Lamb. Oh, what you do with scars! Oh, what glory can come from wounds! Restore our hope, and make our own wounds into echoes of Christ’s, being beautified in his.
- Open our ears to the voice of your risen Son and his promises to us - to turn our sorrow to joy, and to give us the joy no one can take from us. We submit our lives, our minds, our hearts, our all to our risen Lord. We marvel at this life, and what he accomplished in his death; we wonder at who he is for us now, in his risen life, reigning over all at your right hand. Thank you, Father, for Jesus. We worship you in him. We bow before our risen Lord, in awe, in glad submission, in the undaunted hope of resurrection, and entrust afresh our small lives to his great purposes and plans.
- Father, in a day of acceleration, would you slow our souls and steps to the pace of love? Remind us again and again why you put us here, and why, for now, you keep us here. It is not for us to make a name for ourselves or secure our heaven with our work, nor to pretend we have our heaven now. Like Jesus, we want to walk in faith. One foot in front of the other. Day after day. To walk with you, to find the pace to which you’ve called us, and to see and meet the needs of others. Help us to walk like Jesus.
- We cherish your Son as our Lord and Savior and supreme treasure in all the ways you reveal his person and work to us. Captivate us afresh with his superiority over all that came before, all that is, and all that is to come.
July 12, 2022
Rich Wounds the Countless Treasures of the Life, Death, and Triumph of Jesus by David Mathis is a devotional that will lead you into the consideration of Who Jesus is and what He has done – feeling the pain and the horror, the joy and the relief… It can be used during Lent as a devotional to parallel the liturgical season, or anytime to be brought into that final week.
The title of the book comes from the hymn, “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” and fixes our eyes on the broken body of God through which we are saved.
There are thirty devotions in the book, and the book is divided into four sections.
In the first section, the devotions focus on “His Life.” Titles include: His habits. He slept, and He taught.
The second section looks at “His Death,” and the devotions as why the cross is wonderful, and why Jesus’ blood is precious, among others.
The third section is “His Triumph.” “His Heart Beats.” “He is Exalted.” “He Sat Down.”
Finally, there is – specifically – “The Passion Week” Here Mathis walks the reader through major issues in the Passion week ending with, “The Triumph of Joy.’
Each devotion begins with a Scripture and ends with a prayer plus suggested additional Scripture reading.
Name and Scripture indices form the end of the book.
I’ve read and used good devotionals, but this is one of the best. Mathis sticks to the text, brings the reader in through his writing, and strikes and the heart and the mind to bring the reader into the love of those rich wounds.
Highly recommended.
[This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com].
The title of the book comes from the hymn, “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” and fixes our eyes on the broken body of God through which we are saved.
There are thirty devotions in the book, and the book is divided into four sections.
In the first section, the devotions focus on “His Life.” Titles include: His habits. He slept, and He taught.
The second section looks at “His Death,” and the devotions as why the cross is wonderful, and why Jesus’ blood is precious, among others.
The third section is “His Triumph.” “His Heart Beats.” “He is Exalted.” “He Sat Down.”
Finally, there is – specifically – “The Passion Week” Here Mathis walks the reader through major issues in the Passion week ending with, “The Triumph of Joy.’
Each devotion begins with a Scripture and ends with a prayer plus suggested additional Scripture reading.
Name and Scripture indices form the end of the book.
I’ve read and used good devotionals, but this is one of the best. Mathis sticks to the text, brings the reader in through his writing, and strikes and the heart and the mind to bring the reader into the love of those rich wounds.
Highly recommended.
[This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com].
February 18, 2025
A gloriously refreshing book to read as we approach one of my favourite times of year - Passion Week and Resurrection Sunday. I did not deliberately choose this book at this time for that reason though. I simply wanted a book that was about Jesus, a book that helped me in my meditation of His person and works. And this book delivered! Made up of many short chapters (easily readable in small chunks of time!), this book was good for my soul. The whole book was profitable, but I found myself most moved and encouraged by the section on the Passion Week itself, each little chapter focusing on a small detail of the day at hand. Mathis does a remarkable job of mining truths from the text and I am grateful for his guiding torch that helps me in my desire to know Christ more fully and in this knowledge worship Him all the more. There are so many little asides and references in this book that made the book even richer to me, and I was most gratified to see the author close the text with a commentary on one of the great songs that never ceases to hit home - "Jesus I My Cross Have Taken". Might we consider the words of that song as we continue through this life with our eyes lifted to our true hope. Someday, we shall be with Christ. Forever.
April 7, 2024
Takes the time to walk through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. For the life, it covers Jesus's habits, walk, teaching, emotions/weeping, work, and rest. For his death, it covers the cross, his blood, his glory, and his being the propitiation/what that means for us. For his resurrection, it covers his exaltation and seat on the throne, as well as his scars and looking towards heaven. And then it covers Passion Week to give us an in-depth look at the life of Christ leading up to these events as we meditate on Him before Easter.
It's easy to digest - only a few pages per day starting with a verse and ending with a short passage of Scripture to read and meditate on. Personally found it very eye-opening and helped warm my heart to my Savior, recalling His character and His work for me, and who I was and who I am in light of that, and how I should live in a Christlike manner now.
It's easy to digest - only a few pages per day starting with a verse and ending with a short passage of Scripture to read and meditate on. Personally found it very eye-opening and helped warm my heart to my Savior, recalling His character and His work for me, and who I was and who I am in light of that, and how I should live in a Christlike manner now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2023
“The heart of Christianity is not principles to live by, but a person to know and enjoy.” – David Mathis
In Rich Wounds, you get to know and enjoy this person. You get to journey alongside the author as he reveals to you “the many glories, the many crowns, the many wonders and excellencies of Jesus Christ.” You get to meditate on thirty beautifully written reflections and prayers that are deeply profound, rich in biblical truth, and fix your gaze on our risen Lord.
Rich Wounds will bless you, move you to worship, and encourage you to share the gospel. It is a book that can be read year-round or as a Lenten devotional leading up to Easter. If you have not read it, I pray that you will. 🙏🏻💗
In Rich Wounds, you get to know and enjoy this person. You get to journey alongside the author as he reveals to you “the many glories, the many crowns, the many wonders and excellencies of Jesus Christ.” You get to meditate on thirty beautifully written reflections and prayers that are deeply profound, rich in biblical truth, and fix your gaze on our risen Lord.
Rich Wounds will bless you, move you to worship, and encourage you to share the gospel. It is a book that can be read year-round or as a Lenten devotional leading up to Easter. If you have not read it, I pray that you will. 🙏🏻💗
May 1, 2022
David Mathis has a wonderful ability to put fresh perspectives on words I had read hundreds of times. By the end of the book, life feels like something I can take on, whatever it throws at me, because Christ demonstrated how it is to live through pain and come into victory.
The way that Jesus is depicted pays faithful reference to the gospels and letters. His divinity and humanity are honoured, whilst Mathis acknowledges problems that people have had in the past with some of the ideas raised in the New Testament, such as the wrath of God.
This book was given to me, and I can see why - it is a blessing, and something to return to.
The way that Jesus is depicted pays faithful reference to the gospels and letters. His divinity and humanity are honoured, whilst Mathis acknowledges problems that people have had in the past with some of the ideas raised in the New Testament, such as the wrath of God.
This book was given to me, and I can see why - it is a blessing, and something to return to.
April 10, 2023
“Crown Him the Lord of love! Behold His hands and side—Rich wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.” This books takes its name from this hymn and ponders Jesus’ life, death, and triumph before finishing with a day by day breakdown of His Passion Week. It’s an excellent 30-day devotional to prepare for Easter. I’m very thankful for Pastor David Mathis and all that he has done for our church, Cities Church, and all that I’ve learned from this book and his sermons.
June 4, 2022
Scripture-saturated and devotionally warm. Mathis caused me to meditate on some aspects of Christ's person and work that I had not given much time to considering. I also appreciated his stirring prayers at the end of each chapter.
February 27, 2024
Getting To Know Jesus
This was a truly excellent book on Jesus.
I learned a lot, and really enjoyed Mathis' words.
Definitely a wonderful book on the theology behind Jesus' life.
Highly recommend it.
4.8/5
This was a truly excellent book on Jesus.
I learned a lot, and really enjoyed Mathis' words.
Definitely a wonderful book on the theology behind Jesus' life.
Highly recommend it.
4.8/5
April 21, 2025
“They are indeed rich wounds: scars that radiate glory, marks that demonstrate love, blemishes that were once the site of his agony and are now the balm for our healing.”
Grateful for the powerful truths Mathis shares in the lead up to this joyful day.
He is risen!
Grateful for the powerful truths Mathis shares in the lead up to this joyful day.
He is risen!
April 23, 2025
What a balm for my soul during this season leading up to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. I was richly blessed and encouraged by reading an entry each morning. I look forward to future reads of this during this season or just when I want my heart freshly warmed by the work of Christ.
April 3, 2022
Thoughtful Lenten devotional.
April 17, 2022
A wonderful look at the treasures in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. A call to worship during the lent and Easter season and all year long.
April 18, 2022
Wonderful read to help you prepare for Lent and the Resurrection of Jesus. Very rich and thought provoking. Such a good resource! Highly recommended!!
April 24, 2022
Can’t recommend this enough if you are looking for a 30 day devotional on Easter! Only a 10 min per day investment that was repaid by so much more.
April 27, 2022
This revitalised my understand of Jesus as man and man who was vet rayed. What rich love he has for us. Big ideas written simply.
January 2, 2023
Good not great.
March 21, 2023
Excellent devotional in the run up to Easter or at any other time of year. Looks at Jesus life, his death, his triumph and passion week.
April 9, 2023
Thought provoking and applicable.
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