His Horror for Our Healing

Last night I delivered a message to my church called His Horror for Our Healing, where I broke into Is. 53:4, 5. There wasn't a dry eye in the building as I described some of the details of the horrors our Savior suffered for our salvation and healing.

I described what we call 'The Cat of Nine Tails' which is actually a British term Christians use. It comes from a poorly made replica that feels like a feather in comparison! The real name of this torture tool is Flagrum. I explained that each of the nine leather tails had lead tips, each embedded with extremely sharp glass, teeth, and nails. It tore through our precious Lord leaving what can only be imagined as strips of ribbon. This tool was so deadly and torturous, it is said that a twelve year old girl could do irreparable damage to a man using it. The Roman soldiers known as Lictors would stand in pairs, one on each side of the victim, and take turns striking, ripping, and slicing into the back of the victim, who would often pass away before their prescribed beating was completed. Many of the ones that did not die right away would suffer disembowelment, or would lose a major organ or artery.

My friends, this is truly what Jesus suffered for us, and the amazing thing is that He knew what He was about to face but went along willingly anyway!

Today, let's ponder the magnitude of what Christ really suffered for us.

"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." - Is. 53:4, 5