"He was Crushed"

“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed..”  (Isaiah 53:5 ESV)

Why did Jesus have to die? Have you ever been asked that question? Can you articulate the answer for someone who has not yet been opened to the gospel? It can be challenging when we try to explain the gospel to those whom God has not yet enabled to understand His words. But we must not lose heart. Each time we pray and share the gospel with these individuals, seeds are sown, and we and others are nurturing them. Patience is key in this process.

People can be arrogant, believing they are not sinners and do not need a Savior. The idea of atonement through the sacrifice of Christ makes no sense to them. So, what do we do? Jesus told us the key. Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). We must give up all our worldly reasoning and, like a child, believe because we have been told. What did Jesus tell Thomas when Jesus appeared to the apostles after the resurrection? Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29. As such, we must treat the unbeliever as a child, explaining the gospel in simple terms that even a child can understand. Any arguments or questions should be answered the same way and with love and gentle guidance.

We cannot instill faith in a person. Faith comes to us by way of the grace of Christ. Through His grace, the scales are removed from the eyes and ears, and one can comprehend the gospel. This is the miracle of the Holy Spirit. A simple light bulb goes off for some, providing that "ah-ha” moment. For others, it is the lighting of a giant bonfire. Either way, a believer is born.

Isaiah’s prophecy foretold what would happen to Jesus and why. Jesus was pierced with the Roman's lance and crushed by the Father for our sins. This atoning sacrifice brought us peace. It was the second Exodus that led us out of bondage, not of a pharaoh, but out of the bondage of sin.

Why did Jesus have to sacrifice Himself? We can read Paul's words and find out. In Romans 3:23-25, Paul makes it clear we are sinners. As sinners we cannot reconcile ourselves with God: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” We can only be justified or made righteous before God through the healing blood of Christ. We are dead in our relationship with God, dead in our sins. Paul told us this in Ephesians 2:1, "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins." What can a dead person do to reconcile themselves to God? Nothing.

How do we know we cannot? Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” We have no part in our salvation, absolutely none. It is God who chose us and enables us to understand the gospel. His grace provides the ability to believe, and our salvation is a free gift of our faith. We may resist God, but as Calvin noted, God’s grace is ultimately irresistible. This realization should fill us with humility and gratitude.

We cannot escape from God's will. How do we know this? Read the Book of Jonah. Jonah tried to flee God’s call to preach repentance to Nineveh. Jonah attempted to run to Tarshish, but he ended up in the mouth of a great fish, realizing that there is no running from the will of God. This story serves as a comforting reminder that God's will is inevitable and ultimately for our good.

My friends, when we seek to make disciples, there may be those who are not the elect and will never come to God. Yet there are those whom God is just not ready to call. This does not mean we get frustrated or angry, throw up our hands, and give up. No, to the contrary, we have patience, model God, pray, and use the opportunities God gives us to let the Gospel of Jesus Christ shine through to them.

Have I described you? Do you not yet understand the Gospel but want to understand? Reach out to us here at In Messiah; we can give you the Bible verses and help you to see in scripture why Christ is your only way to salvation.

Grace and Peace!