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 strips we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). This chapter of Isaiah, and part of the previous one, is not only perhaps the clearest presentation of the gospel under the Old Covenant, it is one that outlines some of the many benefits of His passion. The phrases “for us,” “brought us” and “by His” of this verse,  all indicate that the suffering was what theologians call vicarious. It means suffered by one person as a substitute for another to their benefit. In other words the suffering servant of this passage, who Luke identifies as Jesus (Acts 8:35), suffered as a substitute for our needing to suffer for the things indicated.

Concerning His hands and feet being pierced, it was prophesied in Psalm 22:16, and performed at His crucifixion (Luke 24:40). This piercing was for our  transgressions, for our breaches of the Law.  His being crushed was for our iniquities,  our offence against God's Holiness. The individual is warned that the Lord punishes man’s transgression, but that  “every one shall die for his own iniquity” (Jeremiah 31:30). It was because He was punished for our sins that Paul could say that Jesus is our peace, and that being justified by faith we have peace with God (Ephesians 2:14; Romans 5:1).  The word translated strips means welts, marks or the prints of blows on the skin. Jesus was cruelly lashed with stripes (Matthew 27:26). Though physical healing is part of the many benefits of His passion, the primary interpretation here is that “we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24).  The healing then is primarily spiritual, and our living for righteousness is part of what brings us into fullness of life (John 10:10b).

Part of the benefit of His passion then,  is that He came to heal the broken hearted and to set the prisoners free (Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:1). Another part, when we live for His Kingdom and His righteousness, is that He makes even our enemies to be at peace with us (Proverbs 16:7). The healing them includes relationship healings.  Another part is that He bears our grief, and carries our sorrows (verse 4). He is the God of all comfort and bears our burdens (2 Corinthians 1:3; Galatians 6 ). In other words not only did He suffer for us, but He comes along side of us and suffers with us. There is intense fellowship in this (Philippians 3:10).  He did it first then asks us to do the same. This is the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

Lord Jesus You are are beloved High priest, and because of all that You went through for us You are not a high priest that cannot sympathize with our weaknesses. But You were in all points tested and tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). In particular, You were a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, You were rejected and falsely accused. Thank You Lord for all the benefits of Your passion. Give us the grace we need to live for You Lord, and we will give You the glory in You precious and lovely Name Amen