Favorite Time of the Year Devotional

DECEMBER 12 PEACE THROUGH HIS SUFFERING By Brian Baker Vice President, New York Word of Life Bible Institute and Camps

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. (Isaiah 53:5)

“Peace” is a word that is often used at Christmastime, and rightfully so. The angels declared it in Luke 2:14. We all love peace, but we rarely appreciate it until we don’t have it anymore. We take an uninterrupted night’s sleep for granted until we are blessed with an infant who wakes up crying in the middle of the night. What a young mother would not do for a peaceful night’s sleep. In Isaiah 53, the prophet Isaiah is writing some 700 years before Jesus would come to earth as a baby. His prophecy is about the coming Messiah and how His own people would one day reject Him. The declaration in verse five is that the Messiah (Jesus) would bring peace and healing, but at what cost? You see, everyone loves peace—but it must be remembered, in most cases, a sacrifice is made to make that peace possible. The same is certainly true when it comes to peace with God. We celebrate Christmas because God the Father was willing to send His only Son to earth and God the Son was willing to be obedient to the plans of the Father. Peace with God came at a great cost. Jesus suffered and died on the cross so anyone who puts their faith in Him will have a relationship with the Father. Spiritual healing comes through the pain He endured. Victory in Christ comes because He did not stay dead but rose from the grave, victorious over sin and death.

Have you put your trust in Jesus? He is ready to welcome you to the family.

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