He Was Pierced For Our Transgressions | Morning Routine for December 13

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 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. 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. — Isaiah 53:4-6 (ESV)

The prophet Isaiah spoke words to the nation of Israel—words that were mysteries in his day. Since chapter 49, Isaiah has been introducing the Servant of the Lord, a character who isn’t specifically identified in the book, but is described as coming to save Israel.

The New Testament helps us identify this suffering servant: Jesus is the one who will come and save. It’s clear that Jesus fulfills the description we find in Isaiah 53 through his crucifixion. His wounds are from our transgressions and, when he bore them, we were healed.

This prophecy extends to all people. Jesus Christ came to earth some two-thousand years ago because the people He loved—the whole world—needed a savior.  Let this bring you encouragement today: Jesus suffered here, to save you. As we celebrate this season of the first advent, we find hope for the day when Christ will return a second and final time.