Isaiah 53:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions,

Wounds are visible. Transgressions, sins, are visible. It is easy to see transgressions. Jesus took visible wounds so that my visible transgressions could be forgiven. I have done a lot of stuff I am not proud of. One look at the wounds of my Savior and I have nothing but thankfulness and appreciation for the one who took the nails for me.

He was bruised for our iniquities;

Bruising takes place on the inside. The blood never gets past the skin. The bleeding takes place on the inside and forms what we know as a bruise. Iniquity is the source of all transgressions and takes place on the inside. It is not easy to see iniquity in a man’s heart. Iniquity is present at birth in all people. Invisible iniquity leads to visible transgression. I have things that can well up inside my heart that I’m so glad people don’t know about. Just like Cain, sin desires to have me. Just like Cain, I must master it. Unlike Cain, the perfect sacrifice has been made for me. Jesus was bruised for my iniquity.

The chastisement that brought us peace was upon Him.

Today, I have peace in my heart. Today, I treasure my relationship with Jesus above all else. It is only because of Him that I have peace. It is only because He was chastised, He was punished, that I am free. He took the punishment that I deserve.

And with His stripes, I am healed.

Healed. No longer bound by the things of this world. No longer bound by immorality. No longer gravitating towards sin. No longer having to act on my sinful impulses. No longer on the wide road that leads to destruction.

This Easter, I look closely once more at those stripes. I look once more at the life He lived. He healed all those people. He even healed me. He gave me new life. I can’t imagine how far I’d be from the life I have now had he not healed me. All good things really do come from Him.

Consider this verse this Holy Week. How has he changed you? How different are you now because He came into your life? Where would you be had He left you completely alone? There is power in the name above all names, the name of Jesus! Spend time alone with Him and fall in love with Him all over again today.

There is none like Him!

Happy Easter

Adam