Isaiah 53:5

New International Version (NIV)

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;

For Meditation

He came down from His Royal Estate in heaven;

the King of glory, by who all things were created.

He did not have to do it; but His love compelled Him.

With a perfect view of the end from the beginning;

the human tragedy overwhelmed His divine compassion

 

No! That was not how He purposed it, but sin overpowered him –

the caretaker of the garden – and ruined it all.

But how could His holy justice permit a blind eye view to the horrific sin?  It must be judged!

Guilty! The holy gavel went down; and hell opened its mouth to receive death’s victims.

 

Who would stand in for sinful humanity and propitiate the wrath of the Almighty?

Life is in the blood; so blood the sacrifice for sin required.

But, no! Sin has stained the Adamic blood, and sin it cannot take away.

Sadly,every human has fallen short of God’s glory; and thus is disqualified.

 

Mercy stood up and made a passionate appeal.

Grace agreed and covenanted to embrace her on a wooden cross on a hill far away.

Love gave up the One and Only Son, to be the ultimate sacrifice.

With that the date was set and heaven applauded.

 

The day fully came, and like a warrior surrendering His war gear for the sake of peace ;

the King of glory put off His royal regalia and  stepped  into a human body.

He entered the world He created; carried by a virgin He favored,

until the day, only the sheep pen in Bethlehem would open to receive Him.

 

He took His first breath of the air He made; fouled by His sheep companions.

The angelic announcement rang out in the fields,

and some poor shepherds received the heavenly orchestra.

Off they went to the City of David and found the baby in the manger.

Rejoicing at the Messiah’s birth, the shepherds left Bethlehem, while the world slept.

 

Servanthood was His assigned position, and He took it very well.

The College of Suffering opened to Him;

and He graduated with honors in obedience;

obedience to death – even death on the cross, where mercy and grace waited

Now was the time Isaiah’s song made sense:

It was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
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.

1. So, what is your response to Him who died for you?
2. What is your honor for the King of Glory?
3. Is servanthood your welcome position?
4. Have you enrolled in the College of His Suffering?
5. What is your major? Is it Obedience?

May your attitude be like that of Christ Jesus (Phil 2:5), and fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith; for the day is coming when He will award  you, the crown of righteousness for your obedience (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

Shalom