Wounded For My Transgressions ♡♡♡

"But [in fact] He has borne our griefs, And He has carried our sorrows and pains; Yet we [ignorantly] assumed that He was stricken, struck down by God and degraded and humiliated [by Him]. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing]; The punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him, And by His stripes(wounds) we are healed" - Isaiah 53:4-5

 Are you ready for some reflection this week?....cause this is what I hope this post spurs you on to do. There is a story of a woman in Luke chapter 7 36-50. Her extravagant love for Jesus caused quite the stare. Why? because she was known to be a notorious sinner. We are not told so much about the life that she lived. "prostitute" is enough to let your imagination run wild. Her gaze fixed on the one she heard so much about - Jesus. Walking towards Him. She begins to cry, wipes his feet with her hair and adorns him with precious ointment. Who cares who is on-looking? Only that woman knew so well where in her shoes it hurt the most. 

Amongst many others who were critical of her, was a man named Simon. "If only this man was a prophet, he would know who this woman is, he won't even let her touch him..." Luke 7:39 - Questioning Jesus's identity in the process- the nerve. How soon Simon forgets about the sins of his own life. Afterall, he wasn't "known for" or anywhere close to giving his body out to the street. Just a little lie here and there...I mean, he probably thought himself better than her in so many ways. That's kinda how we think about ourselves sometimes? Also how we think about others too. Jesus had something very important to say to Simon though. Jesus taught the raw truth about sin and God's forgiving love.

"Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” - Luke 7:44-47

Meditating on this portion of scripture, I realized that it is important to note that Jesus didn't say Simon sinned less or that the woman sinned more. He never weighed thier sins on a scale. He only pointed out the difference between Simon's attitude and that of the woman he was criticizing as regards to thier being forgiven. This woman did all of what she did, as a great show of love. Simon did nothing [oops], since Jesus walked in through the door. Looking very closely, Jesus says this to Simon ".....therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven" - "therefore" meaning after the fact. Not necessarily because of it, but her attitude towards acknowledging & repenting. Well, from where I am standing, it does sound to me like "Simon's many sins" were still left hanging sigh [someone needs a confession session with Jesus perhaps]. whoever has been forgiven little, loves little". It didn't say ------> "whoever has sinned little, loves little". Understand that sinning little [i.e only the things you have decided to own up to lol] and being forgiven [all of the sins you have brought to the open before God & have received forgiveness for] are two different things. 

So what is my point, as we begin to reflect in this season about what the cross deeply means to us? For me it means having a repentant heart. Quick to confess my own sins to God when I am out of line. Taking the necessary steps to show that I am truly repentant. Quick to realize that I offend Him often with my own life too, but for his grace. Pointing at others, will not some how take away my own sins either. Although we try to make ourselves feel better by doing that. To the degree by which we embrace forgiveness, is to the degree by which we will love the Lord extravagantly. To the degree by which we realize our own inadequacies, is to the degree that we will be forgiving of others. And I can only be forgiven, if I ask for it in the areas of offence. And how do I truly repent, if I never acknowledge my sins before God when I err? Finally gratitude, gratitude, gratitude for what Jesus did for you and I on the cross.

          "See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting" - Psalm 139:24

        "Don't judge someone just because they sin different than you" - Anon

Please note this is not about wallowing in self condemnation. It's much deeper than that ;) It's simply a clarion call or encouragement if you like, to live like you truly believe and understand that He was wounded for our transgressions & that by His stripes we were healed......

Love,

Shay