BY HIS STRIPES?

ISAIAH 53:5-6: “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. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” NKJV ‭‭ OBSERVATION: What do I think of when I read the words – “…By His stripes…”? These are words that as believers we seem to offer up in conversation and prayer with little thought. We speak these words as an assurance of God’s provision for forgiveness and healing. Yet, do we really grasp the importance of them?

I have been a Christ follower for most of my life. I grew up in the church, went to a parochial school, and had a wonderful Christian home. I really cannot remember a time in my life when I did not believe in Jesus Christ. There was surely a time in my youth that I rebelled and wandered away from the Lord. However, Jesus was always present in my mind, even when I was straying.

As I have walked the Christian life for many years, spent my life in ministry as a pastor, and endeavored to serve the Lord with my gifts and abilities, this morning I hear these words calling me, reminding me, centering me, once again.

“By His stripes!”

They don’t whisper to me. They shake me to the very core of my being. They humble me and remind me of the most important truth in my life. There is nothing that I have brought to my relationship with Jesus Christ. He did not choose me because I was deserving. He did not choose me because of my abilities. He did not bear His stripes because I was worthy. The Scripture is very clear.

• “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

God showed His love for me, while I had gone astray, while I was deserving of punishment – when He took upon Himself my sin and punishment. Everything good in my life, everything of value and or worth, every blessing and provision, is not by anything that I have done. It is solely and completely,

“By His stripes!”

These words draw me to the cross. They remind me of His supreme sacrifice for my sin. They center me in the truth and power of His love. It is always about Him and never about me. It is His cross that brings victory in my life. It is His blood that cleanses me from sin and makes me accepted in His love.

• “…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!”

It is His work! It is His glory! It is His mercy! It is His grace! It is His stripes! Today, as I walk with the Lord, it is – “By His stripes!” Tomorrow as I live another day to serve Him, it is – “By His stripes!” And, on that glorious day when I stand in His presence for all eternity to come, it is –

“By His stripes!”

Lord, this morning, I humble myself at the foot of Your cross. I glory only in You and the fullness of Your sacrifice. I ask You for the grace to never hear those words without understanding or speak them without the full gravity of the cost you paid. Let me live, let me breathe, let me have my being…

“By Your Stripes!”

In Jesus’ Name