Isaiah 53:12 Therefore
I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the
spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was
numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made
intercession for the transgressors. (NIV)
I love the whole of Isaiah
53. It reminds me of why I became a Christian in the first place. At that time,
I needed God to forgive me for many things and a whole host of mistakes. I felt
ashamed of who I was, what I had done, and where I had ended up. I was lost in
my own sinfulness and hated praying to God for mercy. I couldn’t change the
past and didn’t want to ask repeatedly to alter my life because I was stuck in
my own spiritual rut and I was caught in my own ditch of despair. I knew that
time was running out for me to turn away from the things that were destroying
me, so in desperation, I reached out to God for one last time.
It worked. Within a couple
of months, I was on a different path. Jesus had come into my life in a big way.
I was no longer the same person; I still had my flaws (and still do), but for
the first time in my life I felt truly forgiven of all the awful things I had
done. During those pivotal months, I re-read Isaiah 53 and I, at last,
understood what Jesus did to save me. Even though the whole chapter was written
about 700 years before Christ was born, it detailed how and why Jesus died for
my sins. More than anything else, those beautiful words from Isaiah changed me
forever, so when I get to re-read them, I joyfully re-experience my salvation. 😊
Perhaps you are feeling
guilty about something bad in your life or you have regrets about the past.
Maybe you don’t know how to approach God with those events or even feel that
God can never forgive you. Please know this: Jesus died for all of your
mistakes and he can restore you completely to God’s mercy, grace, and love.
Just re-read Isaiah 53 and realize that God fully prepared and accomplished
everything necessary through Christ to forgive every one of your sins by giving
you every part of God’s great love.
Point to ponder
Do I want to be fully forgiven
and really restored to God? Am I willing to accept that Jesus has already done
this for me?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You
know me completely and are fully aware of all my mistakes. I regret all that I
have sinfully done. Please accept me for who I am and change me into what God
wants me to become. In Your Holy Name, I humbly confess and pray. Amen.
John Stuart is the pastor
of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville,
Tennessee. Come along and join us for worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM. You
will be made very welcome 😊
Today’s image is one of
John’s Good Friday drawings called “Outside.” If you would like to view a
larger version, click this link: Outside.
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