He did it for me

We're back in Isaiah 53, which looks forward describing the Servant of the Lord. Today's section describes the ministry he will carry out.

Surely he took up our painand bore our suffering,yet we considered him punished by God,stricken by him, and afflicted.But he was pierced for our transgressions,he was crushed of our iniquities;the punishment that brought us peace was on him,and by his wounds we are healed.We all, like sheep, have gone astray,each of us has turned to our own way;and the Lord has laid on himthe iniquity of us all.Isaiah 53:4-6

Our readings recently have spoken of the foolishness of the cross - this reading describes it. In full HD Isaiah shows the defeat, which turns out to be victory. Isaiah is able to paint this picture, to write this script 700 years before it is played out.

Here's the thing - it is played out by a real person, not a programmed robot. Jesus would have read this passage, he knew the suffering that lay before the Lord's servant. And he still he choose to 'take up our pain.'

When we peal back another layer we see that 'The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.' The Father poured out his wrath, fully, completely for all our sin, there in that moment on the cross.

And we? We are healed. We are restored. We know his peace.

Praise God for the wonderful 'foolishness' of the cross.