PEACE LIKE A RIVER
WOUNDS + BRUISES OF CHRIST = HEALING + PEACE THROUGH CHRIST FOR US USING GOD'S EQUATION.
8/8/20263 min read
Isaiah 53: 5 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.
Vine's Expository (1996) includes in its definition of transgression (pp. 266-267, Old Testament) the words guilt, punishment, offering, the willful deviation from, and therefore rebellion against, the path of godly living. It also includes in its definition of iniquity (pp. 121-123, Old Testament) as offense, intentional or not, against God's law. It is synonymous with sin. The meaning of chastisement (pp. 123- 124 Old Testament and p. 97 New Testament) includes Instruction, training, affliction of evils and calamities, to chastise with blows, to scourge.
Jesus is our “scapegoat”. He was crucified for our sins. The Law required sacrificial offerings for all sins; but Jesus paid that price for all our sins. Not only was He the sacrifice, but He rose from the dead, and He now sits on the right hand of the Father as our intercessor and advocate. See Hebrews 7: 25 (Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them) and 1 John 2: 1-2 (My little children, these things write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world).
No matter the sin (excluding blasphemy); no matter the pain; no matter who caused it or how erroneous the offense: the price has been paid. We can live in peace through Jesus Christ. If we have repented, we have been forgiven by God. If someone wronged us and has repented, they have been forgiven by God. The Bible tells us to forgive those who trespass against us. Ephesians 4:32 says, And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another; even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Philippians 4: 6-7 says, Be Careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We are healed from every wound and bruise brought against us by the enemy to inflict us with grief, broken-heartedness, depression, PTSD, lack of self-esteem (different from humility), self-hurt through physical injury or substances (including food), abuse by others, and neglect or denial of care from others (including spouse, parent, or others). God has a perfect plan of redemption, healing, and peace. God’s word shows us that He wants us to be in peace, and He has already made a way for us to have peace: the scourging and stripes that were delivered to Jesus are still effective and bring us forgiveness, healing, and peace. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE CROSS; WE DON'T HAVE TO CARRY THOSE BURDENS!
As we read the following scriptures, pray, have faith, and believe God for the peace of God to be in our lives, homes, families, children, and communities. Jesus told the woman with an issue of blood, in Mark 5:34, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague". He said “made whole” and “be whole”, speaking to her present and into her future: she would not face this issue again! Let us press into and touch Him with faith that changes our present and future as we read these scriptures:
Matthew 11: 28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you.
John 14: 26-27 But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Isaiah 66:12 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river...
Let us receive the Word of God, and “GO IN PEACE”! Praise God, and Amen!