Isaiah 53:5 (NLT)5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
The prophet Isaiah describes the Suffering Servant of the coming Messiah in chapters 52 and 53 of the Book of Isaiah. On this side of the crucifixion and resurrection, we can understand these verses in the sense that they are speaking about Jesus Christ, and his humility and willingness to die for our sinfulness. But, I must wonder what it was like on the other side of the pivotal event of the resurrection for God’s Chosen People. How, why, and in what unimaginable circumstances would or could the Messiah be pierced, crushed, beaten, and whipped for what we do and for our healing? How do we get our minds around the possible when faced with what might seem impossible? The coming Messiah might certainly be pierced or crushed for his own sins, but never for ours, because that just doesn’t happen. And if we could understand that, how would it be possible that the Messiah being beaten could make us whole, or his whipping could heal us? This all must just be crazy talk from a crazy prophet. We know that none of the disciples understood this because they are ran like frightened rabbits when Jesus was arrested, and only the disciple John came to the crucifixion to witness the death of Jesus. Even then, I am sure he made himself as small as possible so as not to draw attention. It was only after the resurrection and the ascension and most importantly, the coming of the Holy Spirit that thy truly got it and began showing the world their faith. We all have that event in our own lives that brings us to faith. We might not recognize it at the time, especially if we have grown up under the faith of our parents, but it’s there. This passage should also humble us even now, after our turning point, because this speaks about us, as well as about those who preceded us. Therefore, we are called to be humble because Christ was humbled and humbled himself to the point of death, death on a cross, for each one of us who have been called to salvation. Peace and Blessings, Pastor Bob
In the Love of Jesus Christ, Pastor Bob – church
pastorbobtitus@gmail.com, (412) 520-5407
