Isaiah 53:5 "But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (ESV)
Luke 24:26 "Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" (ESV)
I mentioned yesterday that "it wasn't even my sin that crucified Jesus." Our sin didn't force God's hand. The trinity has never met in emergency session. Scripture says that He was slain from the foundation of the world. God's soveriegnty included redemption all along. Jesus wasn't crucified because of my sin--I didn't force Him; He was crucified for my sin--He willingly gave his life.
Redemption required a sacrifice. It wasn't just a cross. It was the turning of God's back to the Son. Isaiah 53:4 says, "Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted." The full force of sin's punishment had to be poured out upon the sacrifice for that sacrifice to pay the full price of sin's debt.
As we make our way to Good Friday. Let's remember how Jesus was led like a Lamb to the slaughter. Let's reflect, if just for a moment, on sin's full penalty poured out upon our Savior--in our place. Let us never forget that the peace that is ours in Christ is ours through Christ's suffering--his chastisement brought us peace!
"My Lord and my God, how can I ever thank you adequately for my Substitute--your Son? The only way is to give you my whole life in return as a Living Sacrifice since the Deadly Sacrifice has already been given by Jesus. Lord, I fail miserably at being a full-time Living Sacrifice. Forgive me, and help me to be a living illustration of the Cross. Thank you for the opportunity!"
