“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.”
(Isaiah 53:5)
In all of human history, the spotless life and sacrificial death of Christ is untouched and unparalleled. As Isaiah so poignantly describes: “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,” (Isa. 53:5).
Nothing demonstrates the depths of God’s love more than the sinless sacrifice of His Son, the perfect dying in the stead of the imperfect. Christ the Lamb of God bore our sins, even though He knew no sin, so that through Him we might be made righteous in God’s eyes (2 Cor. 5:21). His stripes alone can heal our sin-sick soul. And it is in this truth that our hope rests, for it is written, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous,” (Rom.5:19). A gift so priceless is found in none other but Him (Acts 4:12).
Those who receive God’s gift of salvation, and therefore justification to righteousness, must do so by faith. Just as Abraham’s faith in God was counted to him for righteousness (Rom. 4:1=12), so righteousness is applied to our account when we exercise this same faith in the God of Abraham.
But in order to truly embrace this free gift of grace, we must receive Christ with our whole being – heart, mind, soul, and strength… with humility. As Isaiah reminds us, the Lord resides in a high and sacred place but also with those who are contrite and lowly in spirit. So only “a heart that is truly contrite and humble is ready to receive Christ’s blessings.”[1] Such a one is born to new life (Isa. 57:15), for we are assured that a broken and remorseful heart is dear to God and will never be scorned (Ps. 51:17). Further, the words of Christ assure us that those who truly come to Him will never leave hungry or thirsty (John 6:35).
We become righteous in the sight of God the instant Christ’s cleansing blood is applied to the altar of our heart. But this is only the first step in our spiritual journey. From that point forward, until we come to reside in paradise with our heavenly Father, His Holy Spirit is accomplishing the work of sanctification to prepare us, as part of the bride of Christ, to be ready to meet our bridegroom when He comes. So through a continual practice of moment-by-moment faith in God the Father and our Savior Jesus Christ, the Spirit is at work in us to continue to sanctify, purify, and perfect us through the healing power of His stripes.
Contemplations:
- The Weight of Sacrifice: When I reflect upon Isaiah 53:5, I am overcome with gratitude that Christ, bearing the burden of my transgressions, chose to be wounded for my sake. His sacrifice mends the broken bridges between his people and God, offering healing through His sufferings.
- The Power of a Contrite Heart: Scripture emphasizes the value of a humble and contrite heart. I am reminded that God doesn’t look for grand gestures from us but rather takes pleasure in a sincere heart that repents and turns to Him. Such a heart shows it is revived, nurtured, and cherished by the Lord.
- The Essence of Faith: Faith has the power to move mountains. The stories of the brass serpent and the unwavering faith of Abraham serve as reminders. I am inspired to strengthen my faith, knowing that a steadfast belief in God and His promises is the key to walking in harmony with Him.
- Embracing Christ’s Grace: Accepting Christ into my heart and life has allowed an experience of divine grace that’s hard to put into words. But as a result I find comfort in His words, knowing that His grace envelops me, consistently leading me toward righteousness and redemption.
A Prayer for the Healing Stripes of Christ
Most holy and merciful Father, I come before You in awe of Your boundless love, a love that sent Your only begotten Son to be wounded for my transgressions, bruised for my iniquities, and chastised for my peace. You, O Lord, laid upon Him the iniquity of us all, that by His stripes I might be healed. Who can fathom such a sacrifice? Who can measure the depths of such mercy? I bow before You in humble adoration, overwhelmed by the grace that has been poured out upon me through the suffering of my Redeemer.
Lord, I confess that my sins were the cause of His wounds. My rebellion, my pride, my wandering heart—all these nailed my Savior to the cross. I do not deserve such a gift, yet You have given it freely. Forgive me for the times I have taken this great salvation lightly. Forgive me for the moments when I have turned my heart toward worthless things, forgetting the cost of my redemption. Create in me, O God, a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me. Let me never lose sight of the cross, where love and justice met, where mercy triumphed over judgment.
I thank You, Father, for the healing that comes through the stripes of Christ. Not merely a healing of the body, but a healing of the soul—a restoration of what was lost in sin, a reconciliation between me and my God. Through His obedience, many are made righteous; through His sacrifice, many are brought near. I rejoice in this gift of salvation, knowing that there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. I thank You that my standing before You is not based on my righteousness but on His. I thank You that His blood has covered my sins, His wounds have secured my peace, and His life has become my own.
O Spirit of the living God, work in me that I may walk in the power of Christ’s resurrection. Sanctify me by the truth, for Your Word is truth. Let me not merely receive this grace and remain unchanged but conform me ever more into the image of my Savior. Teach me to walk in faith, to trust in Your promises, to live each day in the shadow of the cross and the light of the empty tomb. Let my life bear witness to the reality of redemption, so that others may see the healing power of Christ’s stripes in me.
Lord Jesus, You have promised that those who come to You shall never hunger or thirst. Satisfy my soul with Your presence. Let me drink deeply of the wells of salvation and let my heart overflow with gratitude for the grace You have bestowed. Keep me close to You, and when I stray, draw me back with cords of lovingkindness. Let my every breath be a testimony to the truth that I am not my own—I have been bought with a price, and that price was paid in full by the precious blood of the Lamb.
May my life be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You. May I daily remember the cost of my redemption and walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which I have been called. And may I always rest in the assurance that the One who bore my griefs and carried my sorrows will also keep me to the end, where I shall stand before His throne, clothed not in my own righteousness, but in the spotless righteousness of the One who loved me and gave Himself for me.
In the name of my crucified and risen Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Further References for Isa. 53:5:
1 Peter 2:24; Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:3; Eph. 2:14
[1] William Perkins, The Foundation of Christian Religion Gathered into Six Principles (Boston in New-England: Samuel Green and sold by Mary Avery near the Blue Anchor in Boston, 1682), 6.
