“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, NIV)
As little children, we learned that wounds were never good. They caused pain and fear, and they usually made us cry. We ran to our mum for comfort, or we just sat there crying, waiting for her to come, as she always seemed to do.
But some wounds are beautiful. Those are the wounds that Jesus bore for you.
Our verse for today contains the most magnificent of all the prophecies of the coming Messiah, where the prophet presents him as both our substitute and as our representative. Jesus is our substitute because he bore our wounds. Independently from us, he did what we could never do. Jesus is our representative because we are healed as a result of what he has done and not by what we do.
He suffered in our place. Our healing did not come easy. It cost.
Anyone who has ever forgiven knows that forgiveness costs. Anyone who has ever experienced the healing of their heart knows that healing costs. Anyone who has ever loved knows that love hurts.
Jesus knows. He is the one who paid the price. By his wounds, we are healed.
Reflection
What are the practical benefits of what Jesus did at Calvary in your day-to-day life? Make a list of them and make a habit of thanking God for them in your regular prayers.
Article supplied with thanks to Dr Eliezer Gonzalez.
About the Author: Dr Eli Gonzalez is the Senior Pastor of Good News Unlimited and the presenter of the Unlimited radio spots, and The Big Question. Sign up to his free online course called Becoming a Follower of Jesus to learn about Jesus and His message.
Feature image: Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash