Verily he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted: but he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was laid upon him, (as upon the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world,) and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5. Thus Christ our passover is sacrificed for us. 1 Corinthians 5:7.
Under a continual sense of our misery, we must have our eyes of faith immoveably fixed upon Christ the Lamb of God, and believe ourselves to be ever justified and healed by his stripes; continually saying, this sin and this punishment is also taken away. In Christ, I am without sin, and need not fear the least condemnation at all. This keeps us in peace. O Lord help us, for as yet we are but weak babes.
How condescending and how kind
Was God’s eternal son;
Our misery reached his heavenly mind,
And pity brought him down.
When justice, by our sins provoked,
Drew forth its dreadful sword,
He gave his soul up to the stroke.
Without a murmuring word.
Now we receive repeated seals
Of Jesus’ dying love:
Hard is the wretch that never feels
One soft affection move.
Oh, let our hearts begin to melt.
While we his death record.
And, with our joy for pardoned guilt,
Mourn that we pierced the Lord.