Isaiah 53:4-9

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.” vs.5

Through this section of Isaiah the prophet portrayed Israel as a servant, and describes the exile in Babylon as a time of terrible punishment and oppression. Here the Servant is wounded, crushed for the iniquities of the kingdom of Judah. This poignant psalm became a source of comfort in post-exilic times. The punishment had been endured for the sake of the people in later generations, and through the Servant’s suffering there had been healing. This chapter presents an amazing picture of redemptive suffering and after the death and resurrection of Jesus it became for the early church an explanation for Jesus’ unexpected death on the cross. There had been a purpose for his beatings and abuse at the hands of the religious leaders. The cross was Jesus’ punishment for the sins of the world. It’s not that Isaiah had foreseen what would happen to Jesus. But rather, the followers of Jesus saw in what Isaiah had written the perfect explanation for his suffering and death. And while there has been enormous debate through the centuries about atonement and the meaning of Jesus’ death, this passage continues to remind us that we are not alone in our suffering. In fact, these dark and painful times are the closest we ever come to the Divine Presence.

Thought for the Day: What is redemptive suffering?