Friday, 28th March 2025
Andrews Ampomah
TOPIC: THE REDEMPTION STORY
THEME SCRIPTURE: “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 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 53:4-5
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- What does it mean to be redeemed?
Redemption is a popular word in Christian circles, but its meaning is often overlooked. To the Christian, redemption is the means of grace by which God delivers the sinner from the bondage of sin and judgment through the sacrificial death of Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:13-14). In redemption, sinners are forgiven (Ephesians 1:7), set free (John 8:36), and graciously bestowed with eternal life (Romans 6:22-23).
The price and security of redemption is the precious blood of Christ Jesus that was spilled for our eternal freedom (1 Peter 1:18-19). This redemption is made possible because Christ took our place, bearing the punishment we rightfully deserved making it possible for God to lavish His love over us.
We continue our journey in Isaiah 53, widely known as the gospel of the Old Testament. In our focus verses, Isaiah describes the Messiah's mission as bearing the punishment from God for humanity. His painful ordeal was substitutionary and not because He deserved it. Humanity deserved to go through that to atone for their sins, but none was worthy to do so.
Isaiah 53:4-5 affirms: “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 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.” Observe the extensive use of personal pronouns in this text.
Each phrase in the text carries deep theological significance, particularly about the Messiah’s substitutionary atonement. All the “ours” refer to humanity, and what follows after is what we deserve as a result of our sins. “He bore our griefs and sorrows” implies the Messiah took upon Himself the pain, suffering, and the consequences of sin that were rightly ours. “Pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities” foreshadows the crucifixion, which was the punishment He would endure for us sinners. “Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace” signifies the ultimate restoration of our relationship back to God. Bearing our punishment would bring us peace with God. “With his wounds we are healed,” affirms the freedom from sin, making us recipients of eternal life. Hallelujah!
Dearly beloved in Christ, during this Lenten season, we must be conscious of the very fact that there was nothing we could do to be restored back to God. Elvina M Hall, in the chorus to the hymn “All to Christ,” sings: “Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.” Through the Messiah’s substitutionary atonement, God unreservedly lavishes His love on us, and we who were enemies and objects of wrath are now called the children of God. Hallelujah!
FURTHER READING – Isaiah 53.
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- Do you really understand what it means for Jesus to die for you?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who bore my griefs, carried my sorrows, and suffered in my place. Help me, by Your Holy Spirit, never to forget this and empower me to live a life that bears testimony to the power of the cross. In Chris Jesus, Amen.
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
John 19; Numbers 34-35; Psalm 87
Comments powered by CComment