Isaiah 53:5 “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.”

The information about the messiah continues. His role as savior is paramount in the story of redemption and reconciliation. The suffering savior is a unique concept for a people who were being physically oppressed. The kind of deliverer they wanted would bear a sword and lead an army. This entire vision must have been a great disappointment to the people.

It’s no wonder that Jesus was not recognized by the leaders and religious elite as the coming one. We know him, they said, he’s a poor worker from Nazareth. Has anything good come out of Nazareth? He doesn’t fit the prophecies, they thought. But he did. Maybe not their idea of how it should go but exactly as God predicted through the prophets.

This is a passage worthy of consideration. What we need to do is make a slight change in the wording as we read it. Take out the word ‘our’ and insert the word, ‘my.’ Jesus was pierced because of my sins. He was crushed for my iniquities. His beatings and suffering were so I would not have to endure them. Jesus took my wounds and gave me his healing.

Task for Today: If you are a child of God through the work of Jesus, then God will never leave you. He left Jesus so that He wouldn’t have to leave you. No matter where you go, God will be there by your side. Spend some time today thanking the one who healed your wounds and brought you eternal peace with God.