Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted

“Just as there were many who were appalled at him—his
appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred
beyond human likeness” (Isaiah 52:14).

We believe that this is a picture of Jesus on the cross. If
so, “His face was disfigured beyond that of any man,” meaning that no one has
been disfigured that much ever; and “beyond human likeness,” meaning that His
crucified body did not look human.

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we
considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was
pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the
punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and
the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:4-6).

This text tells us the why of the disfigurement. Every lie,
every murder, every rape, every idolatrous act was nailed to the cross in
Jesus. Those few hours He not only carried every evil action in the history of
the world, but He became sin itself:

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in
him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

When we speak of the cross, it should not be glib or in a
commonplace way. Thank God.

This post coordinates with today’s reading in the To
the Word! Bible Reading Challenge. If you are not in a daily reading plan,
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