How have I missed this?

Isaiah 53:5

But He was pierced for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our iniquities,

THE PUNISHMENT THAT BROUGHT US PEACE WAS UPON HIM,

and by His wounds we are healed.

I have honestly been sitting in my big white chair for 35 minutes thinking about that one line. I’ve looked at about 20 different versions and dissected each word (thank you, biblegateway.com). The verse is one we hear often, I think, especially the part about “by His wounds we are healed”. But how have I missed the fact that the punishment that brought me PEACE was on HIM?

I still don’t even know that I totally get what that means. Call me slow, but I guess I didn’t realize peace came at a price. I mean, I think about wars and I understand that when it comes to our safety and our country’s peace, someone is paying that price. But I guess I haven’t really thought about the fact that to live in personal peace, in my heart, Someone paid for that as well. I know He paid for my sins and my healing, but peace? Who knew. (Probably you, but you’re just wiser than me. We’ve known it for a while.)

I can’t shake it. I can’t move my mind to another idea. Because the next question that comes up is this- How many times do I CHOOSE to live in unrest instead of living in the peace that Jesus has already been punished for? It is mine for the taking, and yet I’d rather worry? Good gravy.

No wonder Jesus talked to people about not worrying. He was saying, “Look, I’m about to get seriously punished so that you don’t have to live your life full of worry. So why don’t I go ahead and give you a heads up- choose peace. I’m going to go ahead and pay for it, so take it.”

That’s LOVE. He really went through it for me. I still don’t think I understand it. But I am deeply grateful.

Thoughts, anybody?
Ryan? Aaron? Brad?

(You can blame this too-deep-for-a-Saturday-morning conversation on “Glory Revealed” Track 2.)

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