This Explains Why

Isaiah 53:3-6, 9-10

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Have you ever read through Isaiah chapter 53? If you haven’t done so, I’d encourage you to do that. (Listen to Pastor Moldstad Read Isaiah 53.) It certainly is a very important chapter of the Bible. If you begin reading through that chapter, one thing you’ll soon realize is who it’s about. As it describes there

one who was despised and rejected by men,
one who was stricken, smitten, and afflicted,
one who was pierced and crushed.
One who was assigned a grave with the wicked and was given a grave with the rich in his death.
(Isaiah 53:3-5, paraphrased)

Certainly we know who that’s talking about. It’s talking about Jesus, isn’t it? We can connect all of those things, especially with his death and with his burial, and we see the connection so clearly. What’s amazing, though, is those words were recorded some 700 years before Jesus was even born. How did Isaiah know? Well, he could see it all because God gave him the words to record these words of prophecy concerning the crucifixion.

But more than that, as you read through those words, you’ll also realize the why. Those words, perhaps better than any other chapter in all of Scripture explain the why of Jesus crucifixion.

It was because of our rebellion that he was pierced.
He was crushed for the guilt our sins deserved.
The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We have gone astray like sheep.
Each of us have turned to his own way.
But the Lord has charged all our guilt to him.
Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and to allow him to suffer, because you made his life a guilt offering, he will see offspring.
(Isaiah 53:5-6, 10)

We see very clearly the reason for the crucifixion. It wasn’t simply that God despised him and wanted to bring judgment upon this one, but it was because of us. It was because of our sin that he hung there on the cross, that he suffered such torture, and not just the nails pierced through his hands, but especially being forsaken by God. He did this for you and for me, because that is the judgment and punishment that your sins deserved. But God didn’t want that for you. And that’s why he sent Jesus. That’s why he punished his son in your place for you, so that you can have peace with him. So that you can be healed of your guilt. So that you have life forever in his name.

Yes, on this Good Friday we meditate on the cross of Christ on His crucifixion. Realize that it was all foretold. It was all recorded in Scripture hundreds of years before it occurred. But God carries out his plan, his will for you. To bring you life. Amen.