“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:5-6).
The Apostle Peter used Isaiah 53:5 in the same context as Isaiah used it (1 Pet. 2:22-24). We know that the prophets did not understand why Christ should suffer (1 Pet. 1:9-12; Luke 24:25-26), but we are told that Jesus was perfected through suffering (Heb. 2:9-10). Was Jesus born perfect or was he made perfect?
Stripes are defined as the livid and swollen marks of a blow; the same kind of marks we might describe as “black and blue.” They are not actually bloody wounds, but something made by pinching, beating, scourging. Not only was our Saviour scourged or whipped the day of the crucifixion, but He also suffered daily to do his Father’s will. The blows were not always external, but many were the blows to His heart as He endured those who rejected the will of His Father (Matt. 23:37). The effect of His suffering produces spiritual healing in us—recovering us from our faults, as if we had been scourged ourselves when we follow in His steps. By faith we see the bruises inflicted on Him, the black and blue spots made by beating, and we must remember that He suffered to show us how to endure to do right just like He did.
Sin is often spoken of as a disease and redemption from sin as a restoration from a deadly sickness. Because of Jesus’ stripes, we know that our healing is possible. The healing here referred to, is spiritual healing, or healing from sin. By His stripes, that is, the sufferings He underwent, He was able to show us the way and run the pathway ahead of us, thus bringing healing to our sin sick souls. Jesus was in all points made like we are (Heb. 4:15), which fact gives us great hope that we can also suffer to overcome sin.
“Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (1 Pet. 2:22-25).
-Beth Johnson