Isa 53:5

Isa 53:5  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  Even if you do not know the book of Isaiah, you should be familiar with Isaiah 53. Isaiah 53 is the jewel of this entire book of Isaiah. This chapter introduces the "suffering servant." Nowhere in all the Old Testament prophecies is it so plainly and fully prophesied, that Christ ought to suffer, and then to enter into His glory, as in this chapter. Unfortunately, as stated in this prophecy, to this day few discern, or will acknowledge, that Divine love which cost the blood of the Son of God: “Who hath believed our report?” (v.1a). Few realise how much Christ loves them. He loves them enough to die for them. That’s true sacrifice. Few really comprehend this word, sacrifice. To come to church Sunday after Sunday is NOT sacrifice. To abstain from wine is NOT sacrifice. To give a kidney to one you love is NOT sacrifice. Christ did not die for us because we are so cute and lovable. A mother may die for her child. But will she die for someone else’s child who is also cute and adorable to his parents? Christ died for people who do not deserve His sacrifice: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Christ did not come down from heaven and go straight to the cross. He came as an infant. Isaiah 53 says He grew up in front of God like a young plant and as a root from a dry ground (v.2). People ignored Him because He wasn’t particularly good looking. They rejected Him and despised Him (v.3). If it were us, we would forget about them and let them perish; we would pack up and return to heaven. But not Jesus Christ! He continued to spend His whole life suffering and serving them (v.4-6). What was His reward? The CROSS! (v.7-9) Why? Because He loved them and was willing to pay off their sins with His blood: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14). Our sins bring condemnation on us; Christ’s blood freed us from that condemnation and gives us eternal life: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). It is difficult for most people to understand how much God loves them. The closest thing to God’s love is parental love. A baby comes into this world as a young plant ready to grow. He might not be the most handsome kid in this world. He might even be a Quasimodo. But, to his parents, he is an angel. People may reject and despise their child; but not his parents. They may not esteem him highly; but not his parents. His son’s sufferings are their sufferings too. To the “Suffering Servant,” God said: “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong” (v.12a). The sense is, "I will place Him among the great conquering ones of the earth." The great apostle Paul says: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). To any parent, his child’s name is the sweetest of all names. Now, you know why Christ wants us to address God as “Our Father which art in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). He is telling us we have a relationship with God; He is the Father and we are His children. Hence, frequently, He used this term, “your heavenly Father” to tell us of this close relationship we have with God (Matthew 6:14, 26, 32; Luke 11:13). Our heavenly Father loves us. Christ loves us. Do we love them?