But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed. 
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah  53: 5, 6  (NKJV)


The plainest and most powerful language in all Scripture describing the substitutionary  death of Jesus is found in these verses.  Read them again and notice the plural pronouns, our, we, and us.   The whole human race stands guilty before god.  Isaiah compares us with sheep, and the comparison is apt.  there is no animal more foolish than a sheep.  One of the flock breaks through the fence and plunges over the cliff, and the rest follow.  Adam broke through the law fence and plunged into the pit of death, and every descendant of his, save One, has followed.  Indeed, we are well likened to foolish sheep.


It is that One who paid our penalty.  He is the One who was wounded, bruised, chastised, and beaten for our sins.  He is the One upon whom His Father has laid all our iniquities.  Sin cost Heaven a price that was actually paid with the blood of precious Jesus.


As we consider the price paid for our redemption, how can we ever complain or grieve over the trials we face?  How can we ever distrust the love of our Father?  Even in the darkest moments of life, how can we refuse to lift up our hearts in gratitude and praise to the One who has delivered us from eternal death?  As we view the cross and see such amazing love, our stubborn hearts cannot but melt and surrender to Him.


To make this text even more personal, read it again and replace all the plural pronouns with singular ones.  He was wounded for my transgressions, He was bruised for my iniquities .... with His strips I am healed.


Could Jesus have done any more?  Could He have suffered a more humiliating death?  He went the limit -- the absolute extreme.  He gave up all -- His own life -- so that we as straying sheep can be brought home to live in peace and safety in the lamb shelter of heaven.  Thank You, Lord, for Your marvelous love!

taken from: First Things First
June 6
by: Bob Spangler