Monday Reflection – December 15, 2025 Christ: Our Substitute, Our Saviour

He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the
punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

The book of Isaiah addresses the problem at the heart of the nation, as the people are summoned
to God’s court because of their sins which will lead to exile and judgment. Their condition is
described as dangerous; indeed, mortally ill. How can the covenant God redeem and restore his
people? Can grace save them when they seem to have gone so far astray? What is clear is that
salvation is not going to be cheap or easy, but will involve exile in Babylon with healing and
restoration beyond that.

Today’s Watchword is found in the last of Isaiah’s Servant Songs. The “wounding” spoken of
result in a severe injury. The Hebrew word literally means “pierced” or “bored through.” The
Message Bible brings out the horror of the scene as well as the vicarious nature of Christ’s death:
“It was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!” The
piercing of Jesus’ hands and feet (with nails), side (with a spear), and head (with thorns) give this
prophecy of Isaiah a literal fulfillment.

So “He was wounded/pierced.” His wounds were necessary for our salvation. The word
“pierced” interestingly occurs in Isaiah 51:9 of God’s smiting of the dragon, and thus shows that
the destruction of the powers of darkness was at the heart of the cross. He took the
“chastisement”, or “punishment”, which our transgressions deserved. He was “crushed for our
iniquities”. “Iniquities” is our twisted nature which results in sinful attitudes and actions. Peace is
secured by the Servant undergoing the punishment for us. This is not only substitution but penal
substitution, because before we can be forgiven, God’s just anger against sin must be propitiated
so that we can have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Suffering Servant is a Sin-bearer. The Messiah had done no wrong. It was our rebellion
against God that caused the trouble. Christ, in His mercy and grace, was wounded to remedy the
problem. It was our own sin that was laid on Christ, and He mercifully took the punishment that
we deserved. His death was vicarious—that is, He died for us sinners. Christ suffered death as
our substitute. He received the penalty our sins deserved, and we received, in exchange, the
blessings His righteousness had earned. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that
in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). What an amazing
trade! Through the sacrifice of Christ, we are reconciled to God: “While we were God’s enemies,
we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son” (Romans 5:10).

As we mark Advent and prepare for another Christmas where we celebrate the birth of Christ,
let’s not lose sight of the reason that Jesus came. He came to redeem sinful humanity. This ought
to lead us to acknowledge that we are all sinners, and we all need the Saviour. This leads us to
confession and repentance. God then transforms our lives, and the Holy Spirit indwells us and
enables us to live like Christ. May this be our daily posture and pursuit. Amen.

Jermaine Gibson