He was pierced for our sins (Thursday, February 17)

Read: Isaiah 53:3-10 (This was written 800 years before Jesus was born, but when it says "he", it is referring to the Messiah - to Jesus!)

-Why did the Messiah need to die? Why was he "pierced" and "crushed"?

-If Christ had to die for our sins, what does that tell you about how God feels about sin?

-How does this passage show both God's perfect love and His perfect justice? (Basically, how did God love us while still punishing sin?)

-Why should this passage bring Christians joy and thankfulness?

When you pray, thank God that He has given you a perfect sacrifice for all of the sins that separate you from Him. Thank Him that Jesus paid all of our debt, and that we can be free from our sins. Finally, thank Him that we can have perfect joy and purpose in Him because of Jesus' sacrifice.