July 22

Pierced For Our Transgressions

"He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening of our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

Our redemption was foretold many years prior to the coming of Christ. Jesus Christ was pierced for our transgressions, our sins, our mistakes. He did not die for anything he had done, for he was without sin. The cause for which he suffered was not his own, but ours. He was not forced to give his life; he laid it down freely. He took on our sins voluntarily and thereby purchased us back from sin. It was by the things He suffered that our reconciliation to God was purchased. He was crushed, bruised and beaten for our iniquities, for our wrong doing. Our Lord suffered not only physical beatings for us, but also endured the crushing experience of having his Father turn his face from him while he hung on the cross, when he became sin for us. The chastening that he endured was not for anything he has done, but for our well-being because our very lives depended upon him. Jesus Christ reconciled us with God; he became the guilt offering that saved us from our sins. Our sins were laid upon Him, a burden that he carried until his death satisfied God's justice and we were redeemed. By the things Christ suffered, we have indeed experienced spiritual healing. Where we once were separated from God, we now live in His presence! Where we once had no hope, hope now abounds! Where there was once only condemnation, there is now forgiveness of sin and life, life eternal.

Father, how we thank you for your plan that has given us life; that has taken away our sins and replaced them with forgiveness and grace! Thank you for the sacrifice of your son for our sins. Dear Jesus, how grateful we are that you willingly gave of yourself for us! We are so undeserving, but that made no difference to you. You suffered and died for us and we are eternally grateful. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love and your sacrifice. Amen