He Was Crushed and Wounded (Lent) - Good Friday, March 30
"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
I am tempted to stop reading the news story. I don’t want to hear bad news. I don’t want to look at someone who is suffering. I have enough troubles of my own.
Even church going people often do not take time to meditate on the suffering of Jesus or attend church on Good Friday. We would rather simply jump to the celebration of Easter without reflecting on the price Jesus paid.
If Good Friday did not happen, if the Son of God did not die, there would be no celebration of his resurrection. Without Good Friday, there would be no need to celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world, for there would be no Savior. Without Good Friday, we would still bear the consequences of our sins.
We must look at the gruesome scene in order to value what it means for us.
The savage flogging and whipping of the Romans often left a man bloody beyond recognition. Isaiah wrote: "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not." (Isaiah 53:3) Today, people continue to hide their faces or to look the other way.
For the believer in Christ, Good Friday holds a truly necessary and good outcome. Jesus paid the price, but we are the guilty ones. Jesus took up our infirmities, due to our sin, and He carried our sorrows.
Jesus was pierced, He was crushed, the punishment we deserve was upon Him, and by His wounds, we are healed spiritually.
The Good News for us is: He brought us peace, reconciliation, forgiveness. By His wounds, we are healed. This healing turns our lives around; from certain judgment and condemnation to forgiveness and hope. The just wrath of Creator God fell harshly upon His beloved Son, so those who believe in Him would not be forsaken. Jesus’ horrible day was a great day for us!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the peace that is mine through the sending of your Son and turning your back on Him so I can be healed spiritually and have my sin paid for in full. Amen.