Devotional

Full Atonement

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. -Isaiah 53:5

Seven hundred years before Christ’s birth Isaiah prophesied that the coming Savior would suffer and die for our redemption. He was wounded and bruised for our sins, and He was beaten with stripes for our bodily healing. 

The Hebrew words for “griefs” and “sorrows” (v. 4) specifically mean physical affliction. This is verified in the fact that Matthew 8:17 quotes this text as, “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” Further, that the words “borne” and carried” (v. 4) refer to Jesus’ atoning work on the cross is made clear by the fact that they are the same words used to describe Christ’s bearing our sins (Is. 53:11; 1Pet. 2:24). These texts link our salvation and our healing to the atoning work of Calvary. The healing stream that flows from the cross restores both soul and body. 

Neither is automatically appropriated, however, for each provision—a soul’s eternal salvation or a person’s physical healing—must be received by faith. Christ’s work on the cross makes this possible. Come in faith today.

Isaiah