All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.
— ISAIAH 53:6 —
Mayamiko Kuthyola: Central African Preaching Academy | Malawi
This text paints a remarkable picture of mankind’s love of sin and the Savior’s love for mankind. Jesus entered into humanity as our righteous King. He did not deserve any kind of suffering due to sin, but He proved His great love by dying a shameful death on the cross so that mankind could be reconciled to God. God is our Creator. Let the sufferings that our Savior went through as He bore our sins help you to live your life in a way that brings honor and glory to His name. He does not want to see His creatures living in sin, yet it is true that all of us like sheep have gone astray. Every man has turned his face away from God to seek his own desires. This text reminds us that man naturally turns away from the things of God. This is what sin has done to man; it causes him to wander from God’s will like a sheep going astray without direction. But God laid the punishment of these sins upon His own Son. Though He deserved all glory, the Savior humbled Himself to bear the sins of man. He was even named “a man of sorrows” (Isa. 53:3) due to the consequences of sin that He bore. This sober picture of God’s willingness to lay our sins upon His Son should motivate us. Let the sufferings that our Savior went through as He bore our sins help you to live your life in a way that brings honor and glory to His name. We no longer need to wander as sheep that have gone astray because now we have a Good Shepherd.