“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 crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:4-5 ESV)

When we look to the cross of Jesus Christ, we see the suffering of the One who loved us. His suffering was announced by the Prophet Isaiah. “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4 ESV) These have come into our lives because of our sin, “For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23a) They have brought to us all our griefs and sorrows.

Everything that happened to Jesus was all by God’s plan. Isaiah prophesied, “we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4b) Peter would tell of God’s plan in the first sermon of the church, “This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” (Acts 2:21) We also see the chastisement of Jesus, through the trials, the beating, the crown of thorns and the cries of “Crucify Him,” all leading up to the cross. A picture of one afflicted.

Everything was done because of our transgressions, our iniquities and our sin. All because He loved us. “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10)

It is through this love that Isaiah would declare that by the Servant’s trials we would receive peace, “upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace.” (Isaiah 53:5) Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) What Jesus has done brings us peace with God and the opportunity for peace with each other. “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16) It is also by His wounds that we will find healing, an eternal healing. “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) This is the hope of the Servant, the Messiah, Jesus Himself which is offered to all who will respond to His demonstration of love. 

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block