But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities. – Isaiah 53:5
When the crowd observed Jesus on the cross, some grieved, some accused, some rejoiced, some questioned, some feared. Did any of them remember verses like today’s scripture written hundreds of years earlier? Jesus fulfilled over three hundred prophecies. He paid the price for all sin. Now all who believe receive salvation and the promise of eternal life. Today, more prophecies play out for all to see. Some grieve today’s events. Some accuse those on the opposite political side. Some rejoice knowing Jesus will return. Some question God’s existence. Some fear for the nation.
Just as Jesus’ birth was predicted so was His second coming. Jesus told His disciples, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:4-8).
“See to it you are not alarmed.” That may seem like a tall order, given the way these prophecies align with today’s events. Peace can only be found in Jesus. Run to Him for that peace. This Christmas season pray that the leaders and citizens of this nation will turn to the Prince of Peace and receive His salvation.
Today’s Verse: Isaiah 53:3
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 24:36-51
36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
