Advent · Day 13 · Friday, December 11
By his wounds
Surely it was our sicknesses he bore and our pains he carried, yet we thought of him as stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; the discipline that secured our peace was laid on him, and by his wounds healing has come to us.
It can seem strange to read about suffering in Advent. But the Christmas story always pointed toward the cross. The baby in the manger came to carry something.
Isaiah describes a servant who bears our pains and is pierced for our wrongs. People looked at him and thought God was punishing him. He was carrying what was ours.
The first Christians read this chapter as a picture of Jesus (Acts 8:32-35). The manger and the cross belong to one story. Christmas is good news because of where it was going.
Pray
Jesus, you carried what was mine. Thank you for coming to be wounded for my healing. Help me see the cross behind the manger. Amen.
Carry it today
What does it mean to you that Jesus came to suffer?