‘ALL we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us ALL’, Isaiah chapter 53 verse 6.

In three of our meditations this week we will focus on matters that are common to us ALL. In today’s verse we are brought face to face with what we have ALL done. We are ALL guilty of going astray from God. This is not just a matter of forgetfulness or ignorance; we have deliberately and selfishly gone in our own direction. Left to ourselves, we will wander still further away into a lost eternity, without hope of recovery.

However, it is encouraging to turn away from what we have done and enjoy contemplating what the LORD has done for ALL of us! In the light of our sin and waywardness, it is truly amazing to discover that God ‘has laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity (wickedness) of us ALL’. Naturally speaking, this is unthinkable; however, far from being like a straying sheep, Jesus is ‘the Good Shepherd’ who ‘gives His life for the sheep’, John chapter 10 verse 11. He never committed one act of wickedness; yet, ‘the LORD laid on Him the iniquity of us ALL’. Paul expressed it like this: ‘For He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him’, 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 21. This does not mean He became a sinner – it means that on the cross He was treated as sin and sinners deserved to be treated by a just and holy God. He was able to become our substitute, because He was without sin.

The wondrous message of the gospel is that the sins of ALL were credited to Him and His righteousness was credited to ALL those who believe. What keeps you from believing? May you know the Lord’s rich blessings in salvation that all come through faith in Christ.