Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 53:5-6.
But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.
The prophet Isaiah tells us of the coming of the Lamb of God, the sacrifice sent to save us. He writes “the Lord laid on him the sins of us all”, foretelling how Jesus bore our disobedience in order to reconcile us to God the Father. Salvation comes only through His love for us.
Paul teaches “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate” (Romans 7:15). We have all strayed from God’s path at one time or another and all of us need His forgiveness. God is ready to forgive when we repent and accept Jesus as our savior.
When we are reconnected to His love and strength, we are enabled to go in His name to share that blessing with everyone. Part of His plan is to involve us in the work of His kingdom. God certainly needs no help from us but He gladly calls us into His service that all the world may know His love.
Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we have strayed, following our own way instead of Yours. Mend us and send us to tell everyone the Good News. Amen.
