Our Four Greatest Needs
It pleased the Lord to bruise Him . . .
Isaiah 53:10
The book of Isaiah, is often called the Gospel in the OT, because Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Messiah Jesus Christ. He also tells us so much about what the Messiah would be like when He came to earth. It is no wonder that the book of Isaiah is the most quoted Old Testament book in the New Testament.
There are 66 books in the Bible, and there are 66 chapters in the book of Isaiah, and in chapter 53 and verse 5 the Bible says, But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
When Christ suffered on the cross, this verse of prophesy was fulfilled. Christ's suffering was not pointless suffering, it was in order to meet mankind's four greatest needs. In life, we are told that there are only 4 things a body needs to survive: water, food, oxygen, and a functioning nervous system. But those 4 things are for life here and now on planet earth. But what about eternal life? We humans also have 4 Greatest Needs for Eternal life too.
Our FIRST-Greatest Need – Is Forgiveness. Isaiah says that, “He [the Messiah] was wounded for our transgressions …” (v5).
Our SECOND-Greatest Need – Is Substitution. Isaiah says that He was bruised for our iniquities. He was wounded, He was bruised and chastised (v 5). Not because He had done anything wrong Himself. He did it for our sins. And because the Lord loved us, He chose to take our place. He became our substitute on the cross. He was bruised for our iniquities.
Our THIRD-Greatest Need – Is Peace. Isaiah says, “The chastisement for our peace was upon Him. . .” Christ by His work on the cross gives us peace with God.
Our FOURTH-Greatest Need – Is Healing (body, mind, spirit). Isaiah wrote, “by His stripes we are healed.” Due to our own actions, we allow sin to come into our bodies and start to bring about death. This is spiritual death, and because it is spiritual, we need a divine cure: The Lord Jesus is that cure.
Bible Reading
Isaiah 53.
Prayer
Merciful God, In my need You gave Your Son Jesus, for my forgiveness, Substitution, Peace and Healing, and with a grateful heart I thank You in Christ's name. Amen.
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