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. Isa. 53:4-6 NIV
Lord Jesus, Isaiah’s description of the Gospel melts, breaks, and frees our hearts this Monday morning. You who never sinned, became sin for us, that in you, we might become the very righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21). 2020 has begun with great uneasiness, in terms of world events. But it has also begun with the greatest of all peace, knowing this Gospel is true and beautiful.
By your crushing, we are cherished. By your exile on the cross, we have citizenship in God’s heart. By your consummate wounding, we become completely healthy. By your substitutionary death, we live forevermore, and the devil is forever defeated. By your resurrection, we are justified and adopted, and the entire cosmos will be made new. We bow low in wonder, love, and praise.
Jesus, you’re coming back for us with the passion of a Bridegroom for his beloved Bride. We will need grace until that Day, for we remain tempt-able and capable of turning to broken cisterns, hope-void mirages, and mere people to fill us up. Forgive us and bring us to greater freedom in 2020. Only you are enough, Lord Jesus. You alone are worthy.
By your grace and the power of your resurrection, refresh, renew and intensify our love for you. You will never love us more than you do today, but we want to love you much, much more. May it be, Lord, may it be so. So very Amen we pray, in your altogether loving and worthy name.