Pilot Knob Lutheran Church Forgiveness & Healing 3/12/2025
I began last week with our topic for Lent: The Divine Exchange. That is, what all took place when Jesus was nailed to a tree – cross? More than most of us are aware. The bible explains that humanity has a universal problem called sin. We have rebelled against God. The cross of Christ is the only all-sufficient and eternal answer for our problem.
First on the list of the Divine Exchange is forgiveness. Isaiah 53:5b; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Jesus was punished that we might be forgiven. As long as our sins are not forgiven we will never have peace with God. There is one way to have forgiveness and that is through the blood of Jesus. Colossians 1:19-22 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. What removes our sin and brings forgiveness? The blood poured out on the cross. Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
There is another exchange from the cross: His wounding for our healing. Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities. “Infirmities is sickness, and sorrows is pains. Isaiah is saying: Jesus was wounded physically that we might be healed physically.
The Hebrew language tells us when the Suffering Servant “has borne our infirmities” it literally means, He carried our sicknesses away. Also when it says, “carried our sorrows” it literally means, “He endured our pains.” This passage or words cannot be spiritualized to avoid the plain meaning of the text: Jesus has carried our sicknesses away and has endured our pains. Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities. “By His stripes (wounds) we are healed.” This refers to spiritual, physical, emotional healing, demonic deliverance, and resurrection.
Our every need was provided through the cross of Christ. Believe it, confess it, live it.
More on Sunday.
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Today: 4:30 Confirmation class.
Sunday 16, 9:00 Morning worship. Sermon: Punished to be Forgiven.
10:15 Sunday School for all.
2:00 Living Last Supper practice.
Sunday 16, 2:00 GriefShare session. Lesson # 11
If you have an article or God sighting you would like to share with the congregation please submit it for publication in the Briefings.pastorbob@pilotknob.org
