" Wounded for Our Transgressions (Sins) "

 

Isaiah 52:13-53:9  "Behold, MY SERVANT shall deal prudently, HE shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonished at THEE; HIS visage was so marred more than any man, and HIS form more than the sons of men: so shall HE sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at HIM: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

Who has believed our report ? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed ? For HE shall grow up before HIM as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: HE has no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see HIM, there is no beauty that we should desire HIM. HE is despised and rejected of men; a MAN of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from HIM; HE was despised, and we esteemed HIM not. Surely HE has born our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem HIM stricken, smitten of GOD, and afflicted. 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.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on HIM the iniquity of us all. HE was oppressed, and HE was afflicted, yet HE opened not HIS mouth: HE is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so HE opened not HIS mouth. HE was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare HIS generation ? for HE was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was HE stricken. And HE made HIS grave with the wicked, and with the rich in HIS death; because HE had done no violence, neither was any deceit in HIS mouth."

     "HE was wounded for our transgressions" (53:5). HE, JESUS CHRIST, was wounded (broken, slain) for our rebellion (revolt, sin, trespass). The week prior to Resurrection Sunday is known as the Passion Week or Holy Week, referring to the crucifixion and agony of JESUS' physical sufferings leading up to and including HIS death on the cross of Calvary. I caution you, however, not to get lost in the sympathies that arise when we think of the physical agony HE suffered. Yet, we dare not minimize it either, for it demonstrates the length to which our SAVIOR would go and the depth of suffering HE would endure in order to purchase our redemption. 

     Isaiah records that "HIS visage was so marred more than any man, and HIS form more than the sons of men" (52:14). But remember, please, the reason for HIS hanging suspended upon that cruel instrument of death: "HE was wounded for our transgressions," said the prophet. GOD the FATHER sent HIS SON to die for my sins and your sins. Peter declares that HE "bare our sins in HIS OWN body on the tree . . . by whose stripes ye were healed" (1st.Peter 2:24 pictured above). Let the beauty and power of HIS redemptive work grip your heart today. Say to yourself, "HE died for me." Have you personally received HIS free gift of life ? Have you entered into the blessed reality of John 1:12 pictured above ? JESUS CHRIST bore your sins; HE took your place; HE paid your sin debt in full. Why not receive HIS offer of salvation right now ? If you have already trusted in HIM, then rejoice with great rejoicing for this life eternal and for HIS perfect and completed redemption. JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: The Daily Bible Study.

Used  with  permission.  www.featoday.org