Why did Jesus come? – Part 2

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

For wounded animals, darkness provides a place for them to hide their vulnerability. For man, wounded by sin and its consequences, the enemy woos us to come under the shelter of darkness, to hide our vulnerability and pain, as if nothing can be done about them. Ironic as it may sound, hiding our pain and weaknesses does not make them go away. But when man walks and sits in darkness, not knowing God has already provided a solution, it does seem like a good idea.

The enemy taking hold of the opportunity made available by sin, lock people in darkness and pain, brings about destruction – physical, material, spiritual and relational. The Old Testament in particular, describe sin, which is an offence against God, also as transgression and iniquities. Transgressions presupposes boundaries, law or previously given instructions by God. When these are violated, transgression occurs. Iniquity is an inclination or bending in a person towards a particular sin. It could be resulted from unconfessed sins of the forebears, or a frequently repeated sin in a person’s life. The consequences of both transgressions and iniquities are death, a cutting off from God and all His wisdom and resources, rendering us completely vulnerable to the works of darkness in our lives. These consequences must be dealt with, otherwise we will continue to live in darkness.

Therefore Jesus, the Light of the World must come. He must come to address the issues of sins. He came with a specific mission to be “pierced for our transgressions, …. crushed for our iniquities”, so that we might have peace with God. When we are freed from the consequences of transgression and iniquity, then we can be healed of the pain resulted from them. Jesus had to come to free us, so that we might be freed to choose to walk out from darkness. No longer are we bound by the hopelessness of darkness. We are able to walk in the Light!