“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:5). Christ was wounded (pierced; cf. Ps. 22:16; Zec. 12:10; Rev. 1:7), bruised (crushed; to have wounds on the body; cf. Matt. 26:67), and received stripes (blows; cf. Ps. 129:3; Isa. 50:6). Why? For our transgressions and our iniquities. He went through all the mocking, spitting, beating, and crucifixion because of our sin! This accomplished something that is truly beautiful: our peace and healing with God due to sin (cf. Ps. 41:4; 2 Cor. 5:18-21). He bore our sins on the cross that we might live for righteousness (1 Pet. 2:21-24). “For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Pet. 2:25). Praise God for the Christ! Let us obey the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls and have that blessed peace and healing. Trent Thrasher
“Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.” (Isa. 53:4) After the sermon on the mount, Matthew records an abundance of healing miracles that Jesus did. He cleansed a leper by touching him (Matt. 8:2-4). From a distance He healed the centurion’s servant from being paralyzed (Matt. 8:5-13). He healed Peter’s Mother-in-law of a fever (Matt. 8:14-15). He also healed a great many others (Matt. 8:16). By Jesus performing these miracles He fulfilled this very prophecy recorded in Isaiah (Matt. 8:17). What did Jesus receive in return? As we advance through the Gospel record by Matthew we find that Jesus was afflicted on this Earth for you and for me. The Jewish leaders sought to kill Him (Matt. 12:14), one of His apostles, Judas Iscariot, betrayed Him (Matt. 26:47-55), the rest of His disciples forsook Him (Matt. 26:56), and Peter denied Him three times (Matt. 26:69-75). By the time we get to the cross, those that passed by Jesus added insult to injury (Matt. 27:39-40), as did the chief priests (Matt. 27:41-43), and the thieves (Matt. 27:44). Thankfully, one thief had a change of heart (Luke 23:39-43). Let us be reminded of the greatness of Christ’s love and sacrifice for us and the sins of the world (1 John 2:1-2). Trent Thrasher
“He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” (Isa. 53:3) The Eternal Word who created all things became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:16-17). When He came into the world it did not know Him and His own did not receive Him (John 1:10-11). How sad! Speaking of sorrow, Jesus knows what it means to sorrow. He wept (John 11:35), He was in agony (Luke 22:44), and He suffered (1 Pet. 2:21). He knows what it is to be human which provides for us One who can sympathize with our weaknesses (Heb. 4:15). Jesus knows what it means to be despised and rejected. The servant is not greater than the Master so we too will be rejected and persecuted by the world (John 15:20). This is not cause for grief on our part but rejoicing! Why? Our reward in Heaven is great (Luke 6:22-23). May we reflect upon what Jesus did for each of us and help others to see the care of the Savior. “Does Jesus care? Oh yes, He cares; I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief; When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.” Trent Thrasher
“For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him” (Isa. 53:2). The Christ came to this Earth as a humble Servant and taught humility and service (Phil. 2:5-8; Mark 10:43-45). In so doing, God exalted Him and gave Him the name which is above every name (Phil. 2:9-11). He is the Branch which grew out of the root of Jesse, the father of David (Isa. 11:1ff). He got right what so many got wrong and is the Light and life of men (Jn. 1:4; Jn. 8:12). Unlike the kings of old which were said to be “choice”, “handsome”, “ruddy”, and “good-looking” (1 Sam. 9:2; 1 Sam. 16:12), no such description is found of Jesus. He did not come with pomp or pageantry. In fact, He came into Jerusalem lowly riding on a donkey and a colt of a donkey fulfilling prophecy (Matt. 21:1-11; Zech. 9:9). He taught that those who exalt themselves will be brought low but those that humble themselves will be exalted (Matt. 23:12). Let us give honor, praise, and glory to our King as we, like Him, humble ourselves as His servants. If we humble ourselves God will do the exalting in due time (1 Pet. 5:6). Jesus set the perfect example of humility and is the humble King which is King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 17:14). Trent Thrasher
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February 2025
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