Pierced for Our Rebellion

I use many different Bible translations while preparing sermons. I even use translations I don’t particularly like, but it helps me to be aware of the many different translations that the congregation may be using. One year while preparing for an Easter sermon,I looked was moved by the NLT translation for Isaiah 53. The King James Version says: “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.” For that same verse, the NLT translated it as; “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.”

To say the least, this moved me; “pierced, crushed, beaten, whipped. Rebellion, sins, made whole, healed.” It was very illuminating. “But he was pierced for our rebellion.”
“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.” Isaiah 53:5‭-‬6 NLT

I stopped in my thoughts and thanked God for sending Jesus to save me. I also felt shame, realizing that it was my rebellion against God that put Christ on the cross. It was my sin that called Christ out of heaven to take the form of man that He could offer Himself a sacrifice that God would accept. Through this sacrifice, I was healed and made whole.

This is a sobering thought. Have you considered that Jesus was pierced because of your rebellion against God?