Healed by My Wounds.....

Isaiah, chapter 53, speaks of the Messiah, Jesus, who would suffer for the sins of all people. Such a prophecy is astounding! Who would believe that God would choose to save the world through a humble, suffering servant rather than a glorious king? The idea is contrary to human pride and worldly ways. But God often works in ways we don't expect - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways, my ways, declares the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8). The Messiah's strength is shown by humility, suffering and mercy.

Let's look at the description of Christ and His suffering from the following verses in Isaiah 53:

• Despised and rejected, a man of sorrows - "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem." v. 3


• Bore our grief and sorrows - "Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted." v. 4


• Wounded, bruised and beaten for our transgressions - "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." v. 5.


• Bore the guilt and sin of all - "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." v. 6.


• Like a lamb brought to the slaughter - "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." v. 7.


• Tried and led away to His death - " By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished." v. 8


• Died with the wicked but buried with the rich - "He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth." v. 9


• Suffered according to God's good plan - "Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand." v. 10


• Poured out His soul unto death and was counted as a sinner - "Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." v. 12

From the devotional, Heaven Calling: "When Isaiah wrote this prophecy, he did not understand the scope of what I would one day do through my Son. But, beloved, this is how deeply I love you. I sent Jesus to take the weight of sin. He was afflicted and pierced. The punishment that would bring peace and forgiveness to you landed with full force on Him.

When He took all sin upon Him, I had to look away, for my holiness could not tolerate the sight of evil. Separated from me, my Son died. This was the weight that He bore for you, child. It was the only way I could rescue you; the only way I could bring you life and hope and healing.

Now go ahead and celebrate - for you are free!! Free indeed!"