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Isaiah 53:4-6, 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.

When Jesus was born, the Hebrew people had been waiting for thousands of years for the Messiah, the one who would provide healing and reconciliation.  Life was really dark; they lived under Roman oppression and they were beginning to lose all hope.  Had God forgotten about them and the promises he made?  The time between the testaments was pretty dreary.  But God's timing is always perfect and at just the right time, God revealed himself again through the person of Jesus Christ.

The ancient Hebrews were hoping for a warrior king to come and save them from the Roman Empire, but God sent Jesus, a humble carpenter from a humble village in Israel.  While it wasn't what they were seeking, Jesus was exactly what they needed, what we all needed. Jesus was the full expression of God in human form and through his life and ministry we get a glimpse of what life under the reign of God is like.  They were expecting war and they got amazing love instead.

I'm taking some time getting to today's focus verses but I thought it was important to provide the context. Isaiah, 700 years before Jesus was born, provides this messianic prophecy about the crucifixion and its significance. This was God's plan all along. Jesus was exactly what was needed and he came at just the right time. Jesus hung on a cross and was pierced and crushed for our sins.  We can be at peace and reconciled to a holy God because Jesus took on the punishment for our sins.  What does love look like?  Jesus Christ.

I John 3:16 reads, This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 

Let's pray...Lord Jesus, Thank you for your sacrifice.  Thank you for your amazing love.  As you demonstrated extravagant love to us through the cross, help us point others to you by being even but a small reflection of your amazing love.  Help us see people through your eyes.  More of you, less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.