-Strength for Today- "The Suffering Servant." - Isaiah 53: 4-6
We often picture Jesus as, Holly Wood pictures Him, rather than the actual reference, which includes the crucifixion’s gruesome details of the “sacrificial Lamb.” The Bible includes the gruesome details of the “crucifixion” for a reason. Isaiah 53:6 says, “He was wounded for our transgression, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by with His stripes, we are healed.”
Over a million men and women have been wounded in wars serving this great country. Many were “fatally wounded,” yet the cause was for freedom. And it’s because of these men and women’s sacrifices that we have freedom in this land and can thank God for this freedom!
It then is “imperative” on our part to show “gratitude” to all who’ve sacrificed and serviced. Because of them we can enjoy our “emotional,” and “mental” freedom. But as great as our freedom is here in this land; nothing compares to the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus.
For us to have “eternal freedom,” Jesus, on Calvary’s cross, delivered a “deathblow to Satan; “bruising his heal,” (Genesis 3:15), which led to the eventual “cruising” of Satan and his kingdom.
Jesus Christ, the Servant of God, voluntarily suffered for mankind, who was now a “totally a depraved being.” And for mankind to return to the “likeness of God, (Genesis 1:26-27),” the “Suffering Servant” was the
- Only ONE that was “righteous enough, " the
- Only ONE “pure enough” to satisfy the “wrath” of God, and the
- Only ONE who could redeem our lost souls.
“Surely, He has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed” -Isaiah 53:4-5.
Isaiah begins this chapter saying, “Who hath believed our report” And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” -V.1. So today, if you believe on Jesus Christ today, trusting that He has taken your place, your punishment, in order for you to be healed, it’s because the “irresistible strength” of the Spirit of God has revealed it to you!
Author: Plez Lovelady, Jr. PhD