March 2 - Wounded for Our Transgressions

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 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 53:4-5 KJV).

The sincere Christian may feel sorrow when witnessing the destruction caused by sin, but no human mind can fully grasp the depth of Christ’s anguish as He beheld the true condition of the human heart. From the light of His divine purity, He saw the afflictions that plagued the world, the suffering that sin had brought upon the human race. Every trace of sorrow and pain was linked to the transgression of God's law.

As He walked among men, He saw the inevitable fate of unrepentant sinners. He knew that He alone could rescue them from the depths of destruction. Only He could place their feet upon the path of righteousness. His perfection alone could redeem their imperfections. Only His spotless robe of righteousness could cover their spiritual nakedness.

Christ longed to save all. He could not endure the thought of even one soul being lost. If only humanity could see the true results of sin—its devastating effects in crime, suffering, and violence! If they could understand how sin has transformed men from bearing the image of God to reflecting the character of the adversary! Man was created pure and holy, but through disobedience, he took on the traits of the enemy of souls.

When Christ took upon Himself humanity, He submitted to the law and bore the burdens of sickness, sorrow, and guilt. Yet He remained undefiled, unstained by sin. Not a single blemish marred His purity. He stood before the world as the spotless Lamb of God. When the suffering and the afflicted pressed upon Him, He, in the fullness of His perfect strength, felt their pain as though it were His own. This was necessary so that He might fully reveal the depth of His love for humanity.

Christ is mighty to save. His sacrifice was sufficient for the salvation of the entire world. Yet He does not compel—He calls each soul to come to Him, to receive His healing, and to accept the righteousness He freely offers. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? (Hebrews 2:3 KJV). Let us turn to Him while mercy still pleads, for by His stripes, we are healed.