I read the crucifixion story again and it brought tears to my eyes, thinking of what Jesus went through for me. Peter said in 1 Peter 2:24, “who His own self bare our sins in His own body on a tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” Isaiah said, “but He was wounded for our transgression, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed, 53:5.
I met this young man and as we talked about Christ Jesus he showed me a gold chain around his neck. He began to explain the significance and the sentiments attached to this necklace. “This necklace was put around my neck when I was 5 years of age by my father and I have worn it since,” he explained.
They were two pendants on it, one of which was a cross with image of Christ. I said no, Christ is risen He is not on a cross anymore. For me, he said, this is a constant reminder of what Christ when through for me. Very passionately he explained, I am redeemed, I am healed, I am delivered and set free and I have hope because of the blood that was shed on Calvary. This is what this cross signifies, this is why I wear it and I need it more now because of my homelessness.
He was bruised, meaning crushed, broken in pieces. The chastisement of our peace, meaning the punishment and suffering He went through to secure our peace. With His stripes, the wounds, weal that was evident caused by the discoloration of the skin, black and blue. We are healed here refers to spiritual healing, healing from sin which would lead to death.
As I reflect on what Jesus went through for me, I can’t help but to contrast it with all I am going through in my life currently. This is the conclusion to the whole matter, what I am going through is minuscule in comparison to what Jesus went through for us. Saints of God, with Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm.
God Bless.
Amen.