“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

“Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.  (11) He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:10-11)

Introduction:

What value do we place upon our salvation? How seriously committed are we who call ourselves Christians? I believe that if we would occasionally remind ourselves, and clearly picture and comprehend in our minds the price that was paid for our salvation; we would have a deeper appreciation of it. Someone had to die. A sinless Sacrifice had to be presented unto God to pay the penalty for sinners and for sin: “For the wages of sin is death…”  (Romans 6:23).

The Sacrifice

(1) “he was wounded” – This refers to the piercing of the hands, feet and side of Jesus.

Why was he wounded?

“he was wounded for our transgressions” – Our revolt, or rebellion, towards God and His Laws both moral and religious; our renouncing of allegiance, or subjection, to God’s government.

(2) “he was bruised” – This refers to the stripes by scourging, cuts by thorns, and other bodily suffering; and proves this was part of the work of atonement by which blood was shed.

(Isaiah 52:14) “As many were astonied at thee; his visage (appearance) was so marred (disfigured) more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:”

(Matthew 27:26) “Then released he (Pilate) Barabbas unto them (the Jews): and when he (Pilate) had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.”

Why was He bruised?

“he was bruised for our iniquities” – Perversity (moral evil), wickedness. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our wickedness; He was that only sacrifice that could appease, or satisfy, the wrath of God that was meant for sinful man. Why would He who was innocent die for our transgressions and iniquities?

Reconciliation

(2 Corinthians 5:17-19) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  (18)  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

What is reconciliation and why was it necessary? Reconciliation is a restoring of something back to a peaceful state, such as a relationship.

Why was it necessary?

(Isaiah 59:1-2) “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:  (2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

Ephesians 2:1-9

Colossians 1:18-22

Justification

Romans 4:25 tells us that Christ was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our Justification.

What do we mean by Justification? Acquittal; or to show, or regard, as just, or innocent.

Romans 5:1, 6-11

Conclusion:

It is because of our sin nature that we were at enmity with God. We were under the penalty of death and the wrath of God. But God, because of His perfect love for His creation, sent His Son, who was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, died that we may be reconciled to God and justified by His death, burial, and resurrection. We were guilty before God, and without hope, until Jesus said, “I will pay their sin debt; standing in their stead as guilty, and declaring, or imputing, unto them My Righteousness.”

A great price was paid for you and I. So, what does your salvation mean to you?