The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5b (NKJV)
(Part 2 of 2)
Often the disruption of peace comes into our lives because of a choice we have made, or some else’s choice that has directly effected us. And as each choice that we make, or a choice that effects us, moves us further away from peace, we make counter choices to try and bring us back to a place of harmony. Although, try as we may, we never seem to get there.
Chastisement means to strongly reprimand and punish; to bring correction. To get the peace that we are searching for – a peace that isn’t toppled by our actions or feelings, isn’t soiled or ruined by the actions of others, a correction needs to take place in our hearts. A realignment.
But that correction has always and will always be impossible to achieve on our own. Jesus took upon Himself the chastisement for our peace… He took our punishment so that we could enter into a peace that doesn’t depend on our circumstances, or the actions of others, to be sustained. When he defeated death by raising back to life, He moved the natural boundaries of ‘cause and effect’ to rest on His actions and not our own. Now peace can come into our lives, not because we have everything in order and have achieved in our own strength a state of perfection, but because Jesus took upon himself the correction, the chastisement, we deserved to receive ourselves, and then by grace extended to us the fruit of His punishment.
And it’s an all surpassing peace – peace in our heart and mind, in our soul and spirit… And also in our bodies. He bore for us, on that cross, every affliction known to man. And by bearing it, he made a way for those afflictions to be overcome. We are made at peace and healed through His incredible sacrifice and gift.
Today, take a moment to consider what the cross means for you, and know that Jesus did it all for love – all for you.
