And By HIS Stripes...

"But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and by his stripes we are healed". ~Isaiah 53:5

One night while I was lying in my bed, the Holy Spirit began speaking to me about this scripture. He began to give me a deeper revelation for the meaning of it, and I wanted to take a few moments to share with you what was revealed to me.

He was wounded for our transgressions…

Think of a wound; it’s external. It is an injury involving a cut or break in the skin. Transgressions are external sins. They are defined as a violation of a law, command or duty. So robbing someone would be considered a transgression. It is a break in the law that keeps a place (i.e. city, country, or nation) whole. Through Christ’s wounds, he took on all transgressions or law breakers.

He was bruised for our iniquities…

A bruise occurs underneath the skin (therefore it can be considered internal), and it usually doesn’t surface right away. It can be one of the end results of an injury to a part of the body. Iniquities are internal sins, or sins of the heart. It is defined as gross immorality, injustice or wickedness. It is a sin that becomes a habit or a part of you; therefore it controls you instead of you controlling it. Iniquities can bruise your relationship with Christ, who wants all of your heart. Any sin that is habitual can become an iniquity; but some examples are lust, envy and pride. Through Christ’s bruises, he took on every iniquity you and I could ever contain.

The chastisement of our peace was upon him…

This is explained by "therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" Romans 5:1, where the reference is not to a state of heart, but to a relation with God. "Peace with God" does not have reference to anything that is subjective, but only to what is objective. Not to an inward peace of conscience, (though that should follow if you repent), nor to that "peace of God which passes all understanding" which keeps our hearts and minds through Christ, but to have Peace With God. So in other words; reconciliation. It means we are no longer the objects of His displeasure, and have no more reason to dread the divine vengeance. It is that blessed relationship, which results from the expiation of our sins. Because Christ endured the penalty of our sins, we are no longer God’s enemies, but subjects of His favor. Every one that is justified does not enjoy peace of conscience (though we should); but every justified person has peace with God whether they know it or not, because through Christ, God’s aught with us has ended.

And by His stripes, we are healed…

Christ was beaten with a whip called a “cat of nine tails”. I looked up the significant meaning of the number nine in the bible. Nine is a number of judgment, outcome and finality. Healing is the desired finality of a cut, bruise or disease. So instead of dying from our sickness, sins and diseases, Christ interceded as the healing or correct/desired finality of the state. I also found out it was Roman law that a criminal being flogged should only receive thirty-nine lashes. It was deemed that the fortieth lash would kill a man. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), there are thirty-nine categories of diseases known to man. So for every lash Christ took, he bore our sickness and diseases.

In conclusion, through Jesus’ death we are no longer prisoner to sickness, sin and death. He suffered and died so that you and I wouldn’t have to. All we have to do is call upon the precious name of Jesus to receive salvation and healing. Every living human being has access to this gift. I pray this fed your spirit.

~Mena Lee