When Something Old Looks New!

In one of my devotionals this week in John the following verse was referenced, Isaiah 53:5. “But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities, punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.” That is one of those verses that I have seen and read tons of times, but today for some reason it was like reading it for the first time.

Pierced because of my rebellion. I know on the outside I have never really seemed like a real rebellious person. I tend to color in the lines, obey the rules, and do as I am told, that is how it looks on the outside. But what about the inside, my rebellious thoughts, my mind and my heart? Jesus was pierced for those.

He was crushed for my iniquities. I looked up the word iniquity. I always think sin. The definition says, immoral or grossly unfair behavior. The similar words are wickedness, sinfulness, immorality, impropriety, vice, evil. We all have those lurking inside us, and Jesus was crushed because of it. CRUSHED. When you do something wrong do you ever have that heavy crushing feeling on your chest? That crushing feeling is guilt, and Jesus took it all for me.

Punishment for our peace was on him. PEACE, it’s a craving in my life. When my alarm went off this morning I lay in bed for a little while, and I remember laying there and thanking God for the still and peace before my day began. Brett and the dogs were still, the room was quiet. I could hear my mind think. I relished in those unhurried minutes. As precious as those moments of peace were, they don’t compare to the peace referred to in this verse. God gives us peace in knowing I don’t have to do anything but believe. Jesus did the rest.

Lastly, we are healed by his wounds. Not only did Jesus’ death heal me in the heaven to come. It heals me in the day to day. Because of his wounds I am made whole. I am healed from anything in my past and anything to come in the future.

Thank you God for opening my eyes today and making a common read verse fresh and alive.