#thepassionofjesus — Lent — Founded on the Bible

Isaiah 53:5 KJV,

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Written seven hundred years before the crucifixion, the prophet Isaiah saw so clearly the agony our Messiah was to suffer. Each wound and every humiliation righted specific infractions and guaranteed distinct areas of wholeness and restoration. Let’s deconstruct this verse for today’s reflection.

Wounded for our transgressions:
Wounded here is defined as 'to wound fatally, bore through, pierce' (1).

Jesus’ face became a punching bag and His scalp and forehead was punctured with thorns. Jesus’ beard was literally pulled from His cheeks and His face was covered in spit. Also, Jesus’ back was lacerated and His hands and feet were pounded with large iron nails to a cross. Finally, Jesus’ side was lanced flushing out every last ounce of blood.

All these wounds satisfied the punishment for our transgressions or sins, a violation of the law (2). Each wound secured complete forgiveness of every sin.

Bruised for our iniquities:
Bruised is defined as 'crushed, contrite, or broken' (3).

Jesus battled with His will until it was crushed in the Garden of Gethsemane. His struggle was so intense that blood secreted from His pores. Jesus did not respond to an accusation or offense. Instead, He broke His will so the Father’s will would be carried out.

In a very public setting in front of political leaders, religious leaders, Jews and citizens from all over the known world, Jesus was declared a criminal and sentenced to the most shameful and horrifying type of death. Then, the people called for the release of a notorious killer and begged for His crucifixion.

Everything Jesus ever taught or spoke about was scrutinized with contempt. He was draped in a robe and mocked as king as if He were someone who had lost His mind. No one can imagine the grief and sorrow of Jesus’ broken heart.

Right before Jesus died, He looked at the people around Him and asked the Father to forgive them because they really didn’t understand the totality of what they had committed. He took responsibility for the guilt, shame, and the remorse of our sins even though He never sinned in all of His life.

These bruises satisfied the punishment for our Iniquities, defined as 'guilt, the feelings of responsibility for or the remorse of committing a sin' (4).

Chastised for our peace:
Chastised is defined here as 'discipline or correction' (5).

Before, during, and after the crucifixion, Jesus was disciplined by the religious leaders, Pilate, Herod, His accusers, the mocking soldiers, and the raucous crowd. Jesus was stripped of clothing and hung naked on a cross as chastisement for admitting He was the Son of God.

This chastisement satisfied the punishment for the consequences and the curses that accompany sin. Jesus was disciplined and corrected for our peace, the complete and total soundness of mind, body, and welfare of every area of our lives (6).

By His stripes, we are healed:
Stripes refer to 'deep physical internal bruises' (7).

Jesus was so bruised and His flesh was so shredded, He was not even recognizable as a human being. Jesus’ whipping was described by David.

Psalm 129:3, “My back is covered with cuts, as if a farmer had plowed long furrows.”

Jesus’ stripes satisfied the punishment for sickness, disease, addictions, and death. It guaranteed us to be healed (8) and to make us whole and keep us healthy from physical and personal distresses.

Jesus suffered every type of agony known to mankind. He took our place because we should have suffered those consequences. He loves us that much.

Let’s pray:
Father, thank You for giving me Jesus. He took my place on that cross and He suffered on my behalf. I will not forget all the agony Jesus suffered for me. Your love for me is way above anything I can understand. You are worthy of all glory, honor, praise, and dominion forever and ever. I give you my life. You may do with me as You will. In Jesus Name, Amen.

References:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H2490&t=KJV
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/transgression?s=t
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H1792&t=KJV
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H5771&t=KJV
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H4148&t=KJV
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H7965&t=KJV
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H2250&t=KJV
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H7495&t=KJV