"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5
In a painting of the crucifixion by the famous Dutch artist, Rembrandt, attention is first drawn to the cross and to Him who died there. Then, as you look at the crowd that gathers around the foot of the accursed tree, you are impressed by the various attitudes and actions of the people involved in the awful crime of crucifying the Son of God. Finally, your eyes drift to the edge of the picture and catch sight of another figure - almost hidden in the shadows. This, they tell us, was a representation of the artist himself; for Rembrandt recognized that by his sins he helped nail Jesus there! When we think of the cross it is so easy to consider it as merely a historical event; but actually we were all participants in the crucifixion!
Someone has aptly said, "It is a simple thing to say that Christ died for the sin of the world. It may be an interesting pastime to point fingers at those who crucified Jesus, but it is a shocking thought that I can be as indifferent as Pilate, as scheming as Caiaphas, as calloused as the soldiers, as ruthless as the mob, or as cowardly as the disciples. It isn't just what they did - 'twas I that shed the sacred blood; I nailed Him to the tree; I crucified the Christ of God; I joined the mockery!"
Look again at the painting of the Dutch artist - if the Holy Spirit enlightens your eyes, you will see that in the shadows with Rembrandt you too are standing with blood-red hands, for He was wounded for your transgressions!
"Bread For Each Day"
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