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.
Isaiah 53:5 NIV
Context:
Today's extract is taken from the same chapter where yesterday's focus was taken from. We read yesterday of the personal sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and how that leaned into the will of God. It was God's will that a perfect sacrifice that would deal with sin once and for all be offered. That sacrifice was the life of the Son of God. In fact, a verse that speaks so loudly about the weight of this sacrifice is: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” That is the perfect picture of what Christ has done for me. How do I respond to this?
Message and Response:
Let's take a look at a few of the things Jesus encountered at the cross: he was stripped of his clothes and beaten; a crown of thorns was placed on his head; he was offers vinegar when he said he was thirsty; he was lashed with whips laced with thorns, and his side was pierced with a sword, after he had nails driven into his hands and feet. I do not know of any man who can bear all of these at once. Think of this: he did not go to the cross because it looked appealing, but because of you and I. I took him to the cross; my sin was the slave master who will not let go without a fight. I must never forget this: I took him to the cross.
If there was no sin, there would have been no need for the cross. Because of sin, all of us must first come to the cross to have our sin dealt with before we can stand before God for relationship and for service. What then does the cross mean? At the cross, his beatings were for my good. He knew no sin, yet in his body, he paid the price for my own sin. We were at the cusp of judgment but his voice brought us to the throne of mercy.
Every incident at the cross means something to my present and eternity: the piercing; the crushing; the punishment and the beating. So I will not be eternally punished for my transgressions, Jesus was beaten. So that I would not end up in hell, Jesus literally went down to hell and took back that which man lost at Eden. So that I will not suffer loss, Jesus lost the presence of God for a short while as he bore the sin of the whole world. So that I would enjoy the life that I have been given, Jesus took all of sickness and diseases and nailed them to the cross. The gulf that came in between God and man due to sin in the Garden of Eden was now bridged. There is no distinction based on colour, race, creed or ethnicity. The offer of all the benefits of the cross are available to all men.
If men of the world could pay for it and keep others out, they would do it. If men could fight for it so they could be applauded, they would do it. But for the grace of God, there would be people cut off eternally from the benefits of the cross. Thanks be to God that we all can boldly come to the cross and take hold of all it represents and offers. I cannot bring any money to buy it; the currency of grace is one that no world currency can afford.
Now that I know what the cross has obtained for me and also demands from me, how do I ensure I take advantage? Jesus has already done all there is to do; no other sacrifice for sin can be made or will ever be made again. The sacrifice is good for all time, until time, as we know it now, will expire. After that, only judgment by the one who died at the cross to seal life will remain, and the end is to offer his life to all who came to know him. Are you one of such people? Am I? His time of favour is here.
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