Isaiah 53:4-11 (NIRV).
He suffered the things we should have suffered. He took on himself the pain that should have been ours. But we thought God was punishing him. We thought God was wounding him and making him suffer.
But the servant was pierced because we had sinned. He was crushed because we had done what was evil. He was punished to make us whole again. His wounds have healed us.
All of us are like sheep. We have wandered away from God. All of us have turned to our own way. And the Lord has placed on his servant the sins of all of us.
He was treated badly and made to suffer. But he didn’t open his mouth. He was led away like a lamb to be killed. Sheep are silent while their wool is being cut off. In the same way, he didn’t open his mouth. He was arrested and sentenced to death. Then he was taken away. He was cut off from this life.
He was punished for the sins of my people. Who among those who were living at that time
tried to stop what was happening? He was given a grave with those who were evil. But his body was buried in the tomb of a rich man.
tried to stop what was happening? He was given a grave with those who were evil. But his body was buried in the tomb of a rich man.
He was killed even though he hadn’t harmed anyone. And he had never lied to anyone. The Lord says, “It was my plan to crush him and cause him to suffer. I made his life an offering to pay for sin.
But he will see all his children after him. In fact, he will continue to live. My plan will be brought about through him. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life. And he will be satisfied. (Isaiah 53:4-11)
Amazingly, these words from Isaiah were written about Jesus hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth to live, die, and be raised from the dead. Yet they perfectly describe the details of The Gift, Jesus being poured out to rescue you and me from the certain eternal death and separation from God that we were trapped in because of our sin. “All of us are like sheep. We have wandered away from God. All of us have turned to our own way. And the Lord has placed on his servant the sins of all of us.” (Verse 6) All of humanity needs the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Everything about God and His Word (the Bible) is miraculous and to be taken seriously. God shows us His heart, His plan, and the way He has provided for us to live with Him now and forever through His Word. “But the servant was pierced because we had sinned. He was crushed because we had done what was evil. He was punished to make us whole again. His wounds have healed us.” (Verse 5) The Gift, right here, pouring Himself out for us to be healed, forgiven, and filled with peace. Will you receive The Gift right now? Oh how Jesus loves you!
Scripture Inspired Prayer
Oh Jesus! My heart is so full of the deepest gratitude for Your sacrificial love that drove You to the cross to die in such pain and agony for me. Thank You that, even though You lived a perfect and sinless life, You allowed all of our sin to be thrust upon You as You were *assigned a grave with the wicked.* How can I do anything right now with this knowledge filling my heart, but bow down my life, surrendered completely to You everyday that I am given the gift of life here on this earth? Oh God, come and help me pour out my life as worship before You because You have poured out Your life for me!
