via TJC
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. -Isaiah 53:5 ESV
Friday is a day we all look forward to. It’s the end of the work week. Friday brings the weekend - full of time with loved ones and recreation. The events we remember on this Good Friday are more horrific than most of us can understand in our protected, sanitized existence. Witnessing the violence, brutality, and shedding of blood would challenge our humanity to its core.
I have often wondered how many wounds Jesus suffered on Friday before He died. Tradition talks of the five holy wounds: nails driven through two hands, two feet, and a spear wound in the side. But that’s not all there was. This was only after He had been whipped until He was almost dead, had a laurel of thorns smashed on His head, and bore His cross from the prison cell to Golgotha. I look for myself in the wounds of Christ because I’m seeing what I deserve. Jesus was pierced because of my transgressions. Jesus was crushed for my iniquity.
If the prophecy stopped there…if there was nothing beyond Friday…there would be nothing good about Good Friday or any other day. But the prophecy continues that by his wounds I am healed. I can look forward to Friday because it was the end of Jesus’ work. He said, “It is finished!” Because of Jesus’ obedience on Friday I get to have fellowship with a God who loves me. Because of what comes after Friday, each day I am made a new creation in Christ.
Daily Battle Order:
You don’t get to Sunday without first going through Friday. Likewise you don’t get to skip straight to resurrection without first going through suffering. Today give thanks for Christ’s suffering for you. By His wounds you are healed. Which wound has your name on it? Touch it.
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