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
Considering all that we have learned from this marvelous verse, how can we respond?
Admit our need. In God’s holy sight, we are all, by nature, defiant, twisted, guilty, and wounded. The first step to faith is to admit our need. We have to stop pretending all is well.
Our need is so great that God the Father had to give His one and only Son for us. There is no pardon without Him being pierced, no cleansing without Him being crushed, no peace without Him being punished, and no healing without Him being wounded.
We must give up the pretense of presenting ourselves to God as good people. Instead, we must tell God that what He says about us is true. “Lord,” admit to Him, “I am wounded, guilty, twisted, and defiant. I need a Savior.”
Trust in God’s provision. We need a Savior and Jesus is the Savior we need. God sent His Son into the world, and Jesus went to the cross where He was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities. Jesus is our substitute. He stood in the place of sinners. He is God’s provision for us, so we must trust in Him and believe in Him.
When you believe in Jesus, something wonderful happens. Jesus makes you His own. You are made one with Him. You are “in Christ,” which is how the Bible puts it. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1, italics added).
When you are in Christ, all that Jesus died to accomplish will become yours, and you can say with confidence and joy: Jesus was pierced for my transgressions. Jesus was crushed for my iniquities. The punishment that brought me peace was on Him. With His wounds, I am healed.
Are you ready to respond to God in faith? Admit your need and trust in God’s provision for you.
