By His Wounds, You Are Healed
He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, The Guardian of your souls.
(1 Peter 2:24–25)
Staring in horror at the cross, one can’t help but become dizzy from a swarm of questions. Why? Why should this innocent man endure such unjust suffering? Why should we? Why shouldn’t we resist the thorns and the lash we’re forced to bear? Why should we submit to the hammer blows, to the piercing nails, to the cross of unjust suffering?
Because it causes us to return to our Savior for protection rather than defending ourselves or fighting for “our rights.” That kind of reaction has become so much a part of our lifestyle and culture that we don’t even realize it when we react that way. We don’t even recognize that we should be different from those around us.
By the way, see the words, “by his wounds you are healed” (1 Peter 2:24)? Talk about vivid! Peter had seen firsthand the yoke of unjust suffering placed upon Jesus’ shoulders. No doubt he was remembering. He could see it as clearly as though it were yesterday—that moment when he saw his Master’s bruised and bleeding body staggering along the narrow streets of Jerusalem on the way to Golgotha. And as he remembered that scene, he said, “by that He heals us.”
Are you feeling the splinters of some cross of unjust suffering? Has a friend betrayed you? Has an employer impaled you? Has a disaster dropped into your life that’s almost too great to bear? If so, don’t fight back. Unjust suffering can be a dizzying experience. To keep your balance in those times when things are swirling around you, it’s important to find a fixed reference point and focus on it. Return to the protection and guardianship of the Good Shepherd who endured the cross and laid down His life . . . for you.
A Prayer for Hope Beyond Unfairness
Dear Lord, deep within our hearts we pray that You would sweep us clean of blame and revenge, of self-pity and keeping score. Enable each one of us to press on regardless of what unfair treatment we’ve had to endure. Take away the scars of ugly treatment and harsh words. Forgiveness comes hard . . . but it’s essential. Help us forgive even those who never acknowledge their wronging and hurting us! Give us peace in place of turmoil and ease the memories that keep us offended. We need fresh hope to go on! I ask this in the name of Him who had no sin and did no wrong, but died, the just for the unjust: Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Taken from Hope Again by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 1996 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. www.harpercollinschristian.com
