In My Place Condemned He Stood

     I like what Warren W. Wiersbe has to say about "the Smitten Servant" in Isaiah 53:4-6.  "We are sinners by choice and by nature.  Like sheep, we are born with a nature that prompts us to go astray and like sheep we foolishly decide to go astray, i.e. to go our own way."  In other words, we are bent toward sin, we are sin-bent; and we go bad, we do bad.  "Under the law of Moses, the sheep died for the shepherd; but under grace, the Good Shepherd died for the sheep (John 10:1-18)."

     The prophet Isaiah said, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."  

Our Troubles

Half our troubles come from wanting our own way. The other half comes by having it.

The hymnwriter Philip P. Bliss described Jesus’ atoning work on the cross as follows:

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,

In my place condemned He stood—

Sealed my pardon with His blood:

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Yes, only Christ could be our sin bearer!

Source unknown

Condemnation Certain

After World War 1, 900 German soldiers who had violated international law were summoned to appear before the World Court. Their condemnation was certain. In a dramatic move, however, the former crown prince of Germany volunteered to be their substitute. His offer included taking upon himself both the accusation against them and their penalty. This act, though most noble, was impractical. Although he was royalty, he did not have in his own person the value of the 900.

There is another Prince who took upon Himself the judgment due the entire human race. Unlike that German leader, He is not implicated in any evil. Because of His sinless humanity, He could be “delivered for our offenses.” Because of His deity, He could be “raised again for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). He was able to pay in full the ransom demanded by God’s holy law, because in Him was the intrinsic worth needed to provide salvation. Yes, the Father laid upon His sinless Son the iniquity of us all.

Our redemption has been purchased by Heaven’s Crown Prince. So don’t depreciate the cross. Don’t underrate Christ’s great sacrifice. It will cost you your soul. It will shut you out from God. It will darken your eternity.

Thank God for a royal Substitute! - Romans

Our Daily Bread, April 17

From <https://bible.org/illustration/isaiah-536>