April 19, 2000

Reading: Isaiah 53:1-12

 

“But he was wounded for our transgressions” (5) (KJV).

 

This general statement concerning the wounding of our Savior, although devastating in its implications, by itself leaves one wondering as to the extent of His wounding. It takes the rest of scripture to fill in the details.

All wounds fall into seven basic categories and Jesus suffered all but one. Let the scriptures speak for themselves:

Bruising – “He was bruised for our iniquities,” Isaiah 53:5. “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him,” Isaiah 53:10. “Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,” Matthew 26:67.

Laceration – “The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows,” Psalm 129:3. “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting,” Isaiah 50:6. “Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified,” Matthew 27:26.

Puncture – “Because thou hast ... eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake, ... Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth unto thee,” Genesis 3:17,18. “And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head,” Matthew 27:29.

Perforation – “They pierced my hands and my feet,” Psalm 22:16. “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, ... I will not believe,” John 20:25.

Incision – “And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced,” Zechariah 12:10. “One of the soldiers pierced his side,” John 19:34.

Bursting – “Reproach hath broken my heart,” Psalm 69:20. “One of the soldiers pierced his side, and forthwith there came out blood and water,” John 19:34.

Broken Bones - “The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, a bone of him shall not be broken,” John 19:31-33,

“His visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men,” Isaiah 52:14.

“They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They parted my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture,” Psalm 22:13-18.

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit,” 1 Peter 3:18.

“To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen,” Revelation 1:6.