For Me!

For Me!

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. Isaiah 53:5 KJV

The Context and Charge:

Do I know the full story behind the cross? Have I really considered all that the cross represents for me? Today's extract is just a small part of the story of the cross. Part of the story of the cross was the excruciating pain of beatings and stripes. The Bible records that he had a crown of thorns pressed upon his head, and he was scourged with whips. Whether it was the custom of the Romans to treat all criminals this way, it was cruel and mean. I could imagine the flesh tearing up; blood gushing out in several places, and Jesus not taking anything to lessen the pain. Even the people who stood by offered him vinegar, because they could imagine the pain. That is a small picture of the pain and suffering Jesus endured for me.

What makes it even more precious is the fact that at the time Jesus went to the cross, I was not even born. There was no guarantee that I would even accept Him as my Lord and Saviour. God knew that there would be several people who would reject Jesus as Lord till death, yet it did not stop Jesus from paying the full price for sin, for all who will accept the sacrifice and come to believe in Jesus as Lord. This is what makes the sacrifice even more precious. Every part of the experience was excruciating for Jesus, but liberating for me. He died, so I would not have to die. He went through pain so that I will be free from pain. He bled, so that I do not have to die eternally. He would still have done all this, if I was the only one on earth.

The Contention and Conclusion:

This is where the caution, admonition and encouragement come in. My sins took Him to the cross; my iniquities led him to die; the price for my peace were his beatings, and my healing was sealed by his stripes. I note that the entire verse is quoted in the past tense. At the time Isaiah was receiving this, Jesus was not even born, yet Isaiah spoke as if it had already happened. With God, there are no accidents or afterthoughts; we are the products of a love so amazing that redemption was sealed long before we even realized we needed it. That is why rejecting the cross and all it represents is quite dangerous. If God considers the life of His son the perfect sacrifice for sin, imagine the weight of the damnation that awaits anyone who rejects this gift. 

God does not want anyone to perish; His offer of life is valid for all of time, at least until the end of time as we know it now. Healing, peace, joy, hope are all parts to the Life that the cross has sealed for all who believe in Jesus. This faith is the key to access; knowing, reading or hearing about this offer is good, but it is not enough. I must accept and personalize the gift by accepting that I need help, and that the help can only come from Jesus. I must accept Him as Lord and Saviour, surrendering all to Him and trusting that He can take care of me. In Him, I have peace; I can look ahead to all that may come, because I know the One who owns and holds today, tomorrow and forever. What of you? Where do you stand? God's time of favour is here.