Redemption

Redemption

But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!

Isaiah 53:5

I wish that I owned the tattered old devotional book my parents used to read out loud when I was a child. Every now and then, they asked us children which story we’d like to hear. I chose the story about a man who lovingly took the punishment that another man deserved.

If my memory serves me correctly, the two men in the story were prisoners; the older man had been imprisoned for something he didn’t do, and the younger man had committed a crime for which his prison sentence was just. The younger man was about to receive a severe beating. But just before the punishment was to be meted out, the older man stepped forward and stated that he wanted to take the beating in place of the younger man. He did, and the beating was so harsh that the older man died, sparing the younger man.

Every time I heard that story as a child, my eyes filled with tears. (They still do.) What selfless love and compassion the older man showed! That story helped me to understand Jesus’ death on the cross for my sins. He died as the just for the unjust. He willingly and compassionately took the punishment of my sin upon himself so that I could be set free from the eternal consequences of sin and death. He was beaten so I could have peace. He was whipped so I could be healed. “All the kings throughout history sent their people out to die for them,” said author Dave Brown. “Only one person ever died for their people willingly and lovingly.” Isaiah 63:9 tells us that in his love and in his pity, Jesus redeemed us.

Father,

Thank you for the love and compassion that prompted Jesus to die in our place. We will praise you for your merciful plan forever. In Jesus’ name, amen.