Yesterday, I had a conversation with a dear friend about what “by His stripes” really means. It stirred my heart thinking about it, then this morning while I was running, out of nowhere I saw one drop at a time of blood dripping onto me from above. When each drop hit me, it became white. It was awe-inspiring. The impact of each drop was another level of healing.
Today, I invite you to take a moment and focus on the debt paid through each blow that struck Jesus’ body, ripping His flesh and causing His blood to flow. Then, imagine Him carrying the cross. As He trudges along with each pain filled step, blood would’ve been sprinkling the ground beneath Him. They finally reach the place where He will sacrifice His life for you and me. Then they drive one nail after another into His hands and feet, while blood pours from the wounds. It wasn’t a clean process, it was a gory mess, I have no doubt. Imagine a crowd gathering to witness the whole event. I cannot even fathom it.
Why would He allow such torture, knowing He could end it all in less than a second? But your wholeness and unity with Him was too important to Him. He wanted to offer Himself. He wanted to pay for your life with His. He chose you. He wanted you to be completely healed, he paid for that too. He wanted nothing to stand between you and Him. He gave His life to an unjust punishment to prove that to you.
Why then, do we struggle to believe He is good?
Why do we struggle to believe His promises?
How can we insult His sacrifice with our disbelief?
Oh God, forgive me for any time I have short changed Your ultimate sacrifice. I long to more fully express my love for You. Fill me with Your Spirit. Fill me completely with the healing and teach me how to walk in it fully. Teach me to walk in all that You paid for at the cross. Oh God, I long to fully tap into all You have stored up for me. I adore You. You are my King. I love You, in Jesus name, Amen.
Let’s look at this verse in a few different translations: Isaiah 53:5
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him; and by His wounds we are healed.
But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
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.
But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.
Sometimes reading a verse in several different translations can cause it to take hold in a deeper fashion. Let the words soak into your spirit as you receive a greater understand of His sacrifice and the freedom it brought.
365 Days in the Presence 