Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken…Isaiah 53:4
I just took my old Jeep to the shop expecting a cheap remedy to the mournful howl coming from I believed to be simply a worn U joint wanting out. The mechanic dispelled my wishful underestimation of the problem. Similarly, a few of us have sought a doctor’s help for a minor affliction only to be stunned by a diagnosis revealing a far more serious condition than we had assumed or felt. That’s how Isaiah 53:4-6 strikes me. It’s obvious that just by the response Jesus received our own assessment of our spiritual condition is far, far short of reality. If we truly appreciate our spiritual blight, we would be more like the woman who sought to just touch the hem of His tunic. If we could grasp our condition, we would pursue Him with everything we had for even just a morsel of His time or a touch of His hand. Give me Jesus would be our soul’s constant pursuit and our heart’s cry if we saw our desperation. We would have offered Him the dignity, reverence and honor He deserves if He would afford us the grace to receive it from such sinners.
After all, whose griefs did He bear? Whose sorrows were His load? Yet we thought there was something about Himself that God took issue with.
Whose transgressions were the cause of His wounds? Whose iniquities were those carried upon His back? For whose well-being did He endure? Look again oh my arrogant heart. For whom did the scourging He endured bring remedy and why?
Who was it that abandoned God and who was it that remained faithful and true? Who was it who turned his back toward God in rebellion and who turned to give His back to the whip in obedience?
Surely by now it is obvious that this was not some mistake or because of some wrong He had committed? This was God’s plan to bridge the divide of sin between myself and Him. Not in spite of my ignorance and pride, but because of my ignorance and pride He came and all this took place. Yes, this all by God’s predetermined plan willed for Him on my behalf.
Now on this side of His cross, on this side of faith’s shore I can see how desperately marooned in sin I was. Praise be to God I can see that now and rejoice to know I have been set free, my penalty paid, my account cleared by the Blood of the Lamb.
Thank you Jesus that I can look back now and not be blinded by shame and crumbled in guilt. Thank you that I too can testify at the altar of grace of my own sinful treatment of You and know that by my own testimony I will not be condemned for You have already stood in my behalf. Thank you for such confidence. Thank you for faith. Thank you for peace of soul. I am a witness granted immunity by Your blood.
