Friday, April 14, 2017
Isaiah 53:6 …All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, everyone, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
THE SUFFERING SERVANT OF THE LORD (5)
Shepherd and their sheep were common in the holy land. Most of the country was hilly, full of valleys, rocks, and boulders. Sheep could easily get lost or become victims of preying animals or flooding gullies. Picture a flock of sheep in such country without a shepherd. This depicts each of us by nature: "ALL WE like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, EVERYONE, to his own way…" Each and every member of the human race--yes, including the newborn infant--have gone astray, sinned. The situation could not have been more desperate, until: "…And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."
In the passion account neither the soldiers, nor Pilate, could have had any power against Christ by themselves. But it was the will of the Lord Jehovah God that His Son bear the guilt and punishment for "the iniquity of us all." Without our help God undertook and completed the blessed work of rescuing and redeeming the world of us aimless, wandering sheep. As Paul writes, "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation…" (2 Corinthians 5:19). The climactic moment came when on the cross the dying Savior exclaimed, "It is finished!" Sin is atoned for. Sinners have been redeemed. "…We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:14).
On Good Friday and every day we sing:
On my heart imprint Thine image, Blessed Jesus, King of Grace,
That life's riches, cares, and pleasures Have no pow'r Thee to efface.
This the superscription be: Jesus, crucified for me,
Is my Life, my hope's Foundation, And my Glory and Salvation.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 179)
