”We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6New International Version (NIV)
Isaiah 53:6 Devotional (Daily Bible Verse)
We all, like sheep, have gone astray
Isaiah 53:6 starts by revealing that “we all, like sheep, have gone astray“. And then it ends by asserting that God laid on him our iniquity.
We have gone astray
Therefore, the prophet Isaiah informed the Israelites (the Judahites) that they had fallen into disobedience (transgression, revolt, willful deviation, or breach of agreement). They were therefore not following the covenant of God. Each man was walking his own way, which was in opposition to God’s will for them as He had revealed through the Law.
Consequently, Isaiah used the analogy of the sheep to show how astray the Israelites had gone, each to his own way. Because, when sheep go astray, they are never able to get back to the flock. They always need a shepherd to restore them to their flock. And in Luke 15:3-7, Jesus taught that it is the shepherd that restores stray sheep because they cannot restore themselves.
All have sinned
Additionally, the apostle Paul weighed in on this matter of men having strayed by stating that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Essentially, Paul revealed that you and I have strayed.
Moreover, their disobedience is what made God’s servant be pierced (Isaiah 53:5). Consequently, the servant of God was wounded for their transgressions and your transgressions.
But they perceived that it was the servant who was stricken by God (Deuteronomy 21:23). Yet God’s servant was a sinless substitute for them, you and me.
Jesus, therefore, bore our sin, sickness, judgment, and curse. And after He had done this, we were restored in every way, more so in our relationship with God. This is why we enjoy peace with God.
God laid our iniquity on him
Additionally, Isaiah informed the Israelites that they were full of iniquities (wrong deeds, perverseness, guilt, and punishment). And therefore their iniquities had made God’s servant be crushed so that the wrongs and punishment of the Israelites could be covered.
Consequently, God laid our iniquity on His servant. And we, therefore, need to look to God’s servant, Jesus, for our peace and healing.
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Furthermore, in Isaiah 52:13 to 53:12, Isaiah revealed that the mission of God’s suffering servant was to bring reconciliation between Israel and God by bearing the transgressions of the Israelites. Therefore, when the servant was wounded and crushed, the Israelites received peace and healing.
Consequently, the punishment of God’s servant brought atonement, completion, reconciliation, and healing to them, to you, and to me.
Prayer/Blessing
Thank You Jesus for making it clear to me that You did not suffer as a punishment for Your sins. But You suffered for rebellion and sins.
I, therefore, receive Your suffering for me by faith. And thank You for what You did for me. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Acts 14-16 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
