Have you ever seen a knife made from Damascus Steel? While recovering from surgery, and with limited mobility, I came across the television series “Forged in Fire.” Several of the shows, based on a competition to forge different metals into permanently bonded Damascus Steel Knives, intrigued me. Forging Damascus Steel Knives creates unique patterns within each piece that can be stunningly beautiful.

I had been praying for a Christian friend fighting cancer and wanted to find an encouraging gift to provide hope during her trial. I thought of how the wonderful visual example of Damascus Knives compared to our relationship as believers with Jesus. I searched for a source of Damascus Knives online and surprisingly found they were widely available. This bonding process reminded me of many Bible verses about the trials – often fiery ones – that believers in Jesus Christ experience. 1 Peter 4:12-13 says, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you”.  The Apostle Paul adds in Romans 8:18 that these trials, though difficult, cannot compare to the relationship with Jesus Christ that is formed and solidified through them. Forging Damascus Steel Knives creates unique patterns within each piece that the metal which is unique to each piece and can be stunningly beautiful.

A Totally Clean, Permanent Bond

When the two perfectly clean metals are forged together, they form a permanent bond that cannot be separated. Jesus went to the cross to cleanse us from sin and bond us to Him. David speaks of this cleansing in Psalm 51:7, saying, “Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” 

After cleansing, the metals are put in the fire of the forge, stacked side by side. Isaiah 43:2 says, “… When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.” Approximately 80 years after Isaiah’s writing, this was lived out by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3.  

Perfectly Unified

In the forging process, the two metals are heated and then hammered together repeatedly, eliminating any gaps and essentially uniting them at a molecular level. The result of this process is a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” We have a new life in Christ through being united with Him in his death, burial, and resurrection. 

Strengthened Through Trials

The final process that hardens the new steel knife into a working tool is called tempering. The Damascus steel is once again subjected to the fire of the forge and heated to near melting, then plunged into oil. This tempering is reminiscent of the trials in James 1:2-4: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, … knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”  We are called to rejoice knowing that times of trials will reveal God’s faithfulness and work in our lives. 

Scripture also speaks of using oil for healing, for anointing kings, and as a source of light and gladness. David spoke of a strength and confidence in trials, knowing that God would uphold him even “anointing his head with oil” in the presence of his “enemies” (Psalm 23). 

A New Creation

The finished Damascus steel is stronger, more flexible, and stays sharp longer. The finished knives are beautiful new creations. When properly treated and oiled, the blade shows a series of contrasting lines or stripes, each a unique and individual pattern. As believers, we gain these same traits by being permanently bonded with the Creator. Damascus Knives reminded me of one of the first verses that touched my heart as a new believer. Isaiah 53:5 (KJV) says, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

A Damascus Knife is a wonderful metaphor of our relationship as believers with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Scripture consistently recalls what God has done for us and establishes physical reminders like the stones placed as monuments at the crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Damascus knives have become to me one of those “memory stones” that God is with me in every trial and will sustain me with his strength and peace.

Unless noted, Scripture references are from New American Standard Bible (NASB).

Click this link for Additional Scripture references:

Romans 8:35-39; 1 John 1:9; John 17:22-23; Romans 6; 1 Peter 1:6-7; Isaiah 61:1-3; Philippians 4:7; Isaiah 40:28-31; 2 Corinthians 4:7-10; Joshua 4