By His Wounds
“But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.”
~ Isaiah 53:5 (ESV)
Oh, and how deep His wounds were…it makes me shiver. This past week I watched the movie “The Passion of the Christ”. I have to admit that I skipped the crucifixion scene. I just couldn’t handle it after watching Jesus being scourged, mocked, and walked up to Calvary.
I know many think that the movie was a little too brutal; that the scouring was ‘over the top’. I agree, it was brutal; but scourging was used by the Romans for corporal punishment. The accused were normally punished with 39 lashes, leaving them almost dead.
But it was not enough that the soldiers punished Christ with the lashes, they mocked Him too. The twisted together a crown of thorns for Him. They spat on Him, put a red robe on Him, hit Him on His head with a stick to drive in the crown of thorns (read Matthew 27)…
Yes, very brutal. So why did Christ went through with it? Why did He not command the angels to come and take Him home before the crucifixion? One reason: you and me! You see, the crucifixion was the only way to reconcile us with God. We all have sinned; we all have fallen short. But instead of us taking the punishment, Christ took it. He nailed our sins to the cross at Calvary…
‘Christ lived a life we could not live and took the punishment we could not take to offer the hope we cannot resit’ ~ Max Lucado
Calvary was not the end for Christ; it was the beginning for life everlasting for you and me. You see, after He defeated death, He rose again…
Lord of Heaven and Earth. Thank You for taking the punishment for me. Thank You for defeating death for me. Lord, I do not know how to thank You but to life a live worthy of Your sacrifice. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen.
He is Risen…
To read more Resurrection reflections, please visit Marsha, Laurie, Lynn, Bernadine, Tracy, Lori, and Linda.
Amen dear Iris, amen.
Oh Iris….
Calvary was not the end for Christ; it was the beginning for life everlasting for you and me.
Amen… Amen… Amen..
May the pain and suffering of our Lords sacrifice never be something we take for granted! Thanks for leading us in this great Easter devo today! -Laurie
I’m so grateful for the blood stained cross of Calvary, that he took the punishment that was meant for me.
Happy Easter to you too dear Iris
Praise God the cross was not the end! The resurrection was needed to complete our salvation. Thank You, Lord for taking my punishment and then giving me your resurrection power!
Iris, thank you for this post. I’ve seen the movie and it moved me too. I am so grateful that Jesus loved each one of us and went through such torture and abuse because of that love. Amazing love. Happy Easter!
I too saw the movie w/ my two older boys. It is a difficult movie to watch. BUT HE IS RISEN! Happy Easter.