
Isaiah 53:5-6 NIV
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. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was pierced for our transgressions. When you simply stop to think because of my sin and your sin, Jesus chose to go to the cross. He didn’t have to go to the cross, He could have chosen to abandon humanity because of our sin and shame. But He chose to go to the cross and experience the pain and suffering of Calvary because of His love for us.
The word transgression means rebellion, transgression. Like its related verb, this noun describes a transgression of a relationship.[1] Because of our sin and rebellion, our relationship with God is broken. This first took place in the garden of Eden with our two very first parents. Adam and Eve were created perfect and placed in a perfect environment. God told them that they could not eat from only one tree. They could eat from every other tree. There had to be choice so there could be love. Without choice all you end up with is slavery and God didn’t create robots or slaves. He created human beings in His image and what He desires more than anything is a relationship with us, but for that to happen, He had to give us freewill. Freewill can be incredible dangerous because when choice exist than the ability to make wrong choices exist.
But thank God because of His grace and mercy He didn’t leave us there. He had a plan. He had a plan in place before Adam and Eve even sinned. The one who knows all things knew that when Adam and Eve sinned that they would be separated from Almighty God and the only hope would be for Jesus to come, fully become man and take the punishment and wrath that we deserve as human beings.
He was crushed for our iniquities and the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him. He took our punishment. The punishment and suffering He endured made possible the forgiveness of God to be poured out on us who are marred by sin. We are separated from God because of sin. Because of sin we have become enemies of God. But in His mercy, He has made a way to be forgiven and that way is Jesus.
By His wounds we are healed. Healed here means cure, heal. Refers to action or care that restores health and brings recovery from some illness or injury. Our injury and illness was sin. The action taken was the Son of God going to Calvary for us. If we ever wonder how much God the Father, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit loves us we simply need to examine Calvary. When we see the brutality that Jesus went through and all because of His love for us, it truly puts things in perspective. It shows us that even thought God knows our mistakes and how many times we will fail Him, that He still chose the cross.
All of us have gone astray like sheep and we have turned to our own way. A sheep needs a shepherd. Without a shepherd a sheep is unable to provide for itself, protect itself, doesn’t know where to go, and finds itself in a very dangerous and vulnerable position. This is the picture of humanity without Jesus. Without Jesus we are lost, broken, hurt, and vulnerable. But when the Great Shepherd of our souls comes, we find restoration, healing, freedom, love, deliverance, family, hope, truth, and the list could go on and on. All because Jesus went to the cross.
Today I encourage you if you have gone your own way to stop. Stop running from God. Stop doing things your way and simply surrender to Jesus. Give Him your life and let Him take the broken pieces of your life, restore you, and use your life for His glory. His love for you and me is unconditional. We can’t earn it and we don’t deserve it, but it is extended to us because of His love for us.
Prayer
Father thank you for loving me. Thank you for guiding me and providing for me. Jesus thank you for taking the wrath and punishment that I deserve. Thank you for making a way for me to be saved and me to be forgiven. Jesus thank you for all you have done. May my life glorify and honor you. May you mold and shape my life on a daily basis. May your love increase in me more and more and that I would truly be your hands and feet to the broken. In the name of Jesus, Amen!
[1] Francesco Bianchi, “Rebelliousness,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).
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