“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53.4, ESV)¹

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¹Isaiah 53 is a Messianic prophecy written about 700 years before the coming of the suffering Messiah and all He would endure for us. The prophecy records the events leading up to the cross and around the cross.

What did Isaiah mean by “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows”? The apostle Matthew recorded the events that fulfilled this prophecy:

“And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.’” (Matt. 8.14-17, ESV).

By healing those who were sick, Jesus took away their diseases. The same is true for our sins. While He bore our sins on the cross provisionally, He takes away our sins when we come to Him for forgiveness.

This is also what John the Baptist meant when he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1.29, ESV).

One can receive forgiveness when he in faith repents of his sins, confesses Jesus as Lord (Rom. 10.9-10) and is baptized. “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2.38, ESV)

Are you interested in learning more about salvation and your sins being taken away? E-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.