Isaiah 53:5, 7
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed… He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
With graphic detail, the Old Testament Prophet, Isaiah foretold the coming of the promised Messiah, not as a conquering king but rather, a suffering servant. With the upcoming celebration of Christ’s resurrection, we would do well to ponder the Scripture’s revelation of His earthly life and ministry that ended with Him laying His life down as a sacrifice for our sins.
Notice again the above passage. Christ Jesus was not only pierced, He was pierced FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS. He was not merely crushed, He was crushed FOR OUR INIQUITIES. He was not only chastised, He was chastised TO BRING US PEACE. He was not merely wounded, He was wounded THAT WE MIGHT BE HEALED. And He did so willingly, not once opening his mouth to stop the abuse. Christ Jesus willingly and willfully walked through the sufferings that extended from the throne of our just and righteous God, and this He did so we might know God’s mercy and His grace.
The temporary nature of all things in this present world affirms the temporary nature of life itself. The Bible states that all are appointed to die, and after that comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27). That judgment determines ones eternal destiny. The beauty of Christ’s death and resurrection is that He has already borne the wrath of that judgment on our behalf and paid fully for our sin. And the glorious reality of this is that this “payment in full” is realized by faith for all who believe. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.