October 13^th

A SPIRITUAL VIEW OF REDEMPTION (Continued)

ISAIAH 53: 4-5 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

     The Lord was bruised for our iniquities.  In simple terms, He was crushed, contrite, and broken for our iniquities.  Psalm 51:17 reads, "The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."   Jesus was the ultimate Sacrifice of Praise unto God. In Father’s Own Words, Jesus was the Beloved Son in Whom He was well pleased. 

To be certain we have a grasp of the intensity our iniquities, let us examine the true meaning.  Iniquities refer to perversity, depravity, and guilt.  These are indelible attributes of man apart from the Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.   The root meaning of iniquity is to be twisted or bowed down.  One familiar with Jesus’ ministry will recall the woman with "a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together."  She could not lift herself up neither could anyone else.  The religious leaders watched her helplessly in this state ignorant of the fact that she represented many of them.  Eighteen is the sum of 6+6+6.  To Spiritual Perfection or Jesus, she represented the fullness of carnal church apart from God. Jesus called her to Himself and said, "Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity _Luke 13:11-13."  She was made straight immediately.  In Christ, we have been "made straight" or built anew!  Glorify God just as this woman did. 

Continued