“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 NIV
Transgressions are those things we do that go against a law, rule, or code of conduct; Iniquities are more to do with the character of an action; unjust, immoral motives of the heart that cause us to go our own way and do what we feel rather than what God says! And the result is never a feeling of rightness and wholeness, we end up bruised, with the crushing weight of guilt and shame! Many of us live beaten up, struggling to know how to change and constantly looking for an escape. So God, out of His great love, sent Jesus to be pierced and crushed for us. He took the punishment for our transgressions and iniquities so that we could be freed from the consequences, released from guilt and shame, healed (restored, reconciled) to a relationship with God where we are made right again, where we discover our true identity and live for His glory – that is what brings us peace! We have a choice, are we going to live bearing the weight of all that stuff or will we let Jesus take it? Lord, thank You for saving me, I’m trusting in You today, help me to experience the peace that comes as I walk with you. Amen 🙏🏼