He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
1 Peter 2:24
I love this verse, especially the last sentence, as it is a quote from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 53:5). The very first sermon I ever preached contained it, and I was captivated at the hope promised to Jews exiled in Babylon.
In our scripture today, Peter is writing to the “chosen exiles” (1:1) of the Christian dispersion in Asia-Minor. They appear to be suffering at the hands of pseudo-secular people and leaders who believe Caesar is a god. As a good pastor, Peter reminds them that they serve the Suffering Servant who died and rose again; their Savior and King.
As a pastor, this HitchHiker wishes to remind the chosen exiles of the 21st Century to have hope and comfort in the midst of this ever growing cynical and secular society of our uncertain times. We head into Holy Week with our Savior and King!
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
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