Healing Stripes and a Heart Change
...By His stripes we are healed. Spending some time pondering Good Friday.
Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his stripes we are healed.
As a child I was perplexed by these words, as they were never adequately explained, however, as an adult, these words have become precious to me.
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Christ's stripes are the physical wounds he suffered as punishment; the flogging and beatings followed by his agonizing death on a cross.
The whips used were made of braided leather with shards of glass, pottery and stone attached. To think of this horrific act of punishment causes us to recoil and look away. The physical pain and agony is not all that Jesus suffered--he also had to experience the mental anguish of bearing the wrath of God the Father for all the sin of mankind. Jesus did this willingly for me. Jesus did this willingly for you. He bore our sins on the cross so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.
...By His stripes we are healed.
As you ponder the depth of this truth, think of how Christ specifically has spiritually healed you. From what have you been forgiven? From what have you been saved?
Take that list of "what" that comes to mind and let your response be one of gratitude.
May you be blessed this Good Friday.
