We are about to celebrate Easter once again, and I find myself
reflecting in deeper measure the price that was paid for me on the cross… and for you too.
Have you all read Isaiah 53:5-6 lately? If the pages of your bible are still stuck
together in that section of your Bible, FRIEND get them unstuck.
Lean in, these words are for your hearing this day:
“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Did you hear it?
Pierced for our transgressions.
Crushed for our iniquities.
The punishment that brought US peace was upon HIM.
He took it for us. I’ve heard it referenced as THE GREAT EXCHANGE.
We were the ones who should have been punished for our wrongdoing. But He took the punishment for us.
And by HIS WOUNDS we are healed.
Friends, notice the present tense of the verb – we ARE healed.
The adjectives paint a picture, but are they enough?
Probably not. Imagine, we just heard the words, pierced, crushed, punished, AND WOUNDS. Jesus, thank you.
We don’t know what it looked like that day for you LORD, but the thought of that vicious enemy… that usurped your authority in heaven…must have longed for the day where He could exact revenge on you. Your body was beaten beyond recognition for our sins and then the divine wrath for sin was poured out upon your soul for our sake.
Again, we say thank you.
You knew everything we would do on this earth how we too would rebel against you, and you clearly and prophetically laid out the plan of redemption for all to see and embrace you from the four corners of the world no matter our sin that tries to keep us from your great love.
Hold on to your hat as we read verse 6:
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us ALL.”
This easter, lean into what is already yours.
The barrier that keeps you from his heart is true repentance for your sin.
Something Satan didn’t do. He was kicked out of heaven because sin can’t dwell there, and your enemy wants to make you pay for your sins. Which is impossible. Stop trying. Receive his grace by telling God you are sorry for engaging in things that He does not desire for you.
It’s not hard.
He will help all of us leave behind the excuses and the false love the enemy offers.