Stripes

He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds,
crushed because of our sins;
he endured punishment that made us well;
because of his wounds we have been healed.

Isaiah 53:5 

 

Several years ago, I saw The Passion of the Christ in the theater.  There was something about seeing this film on a huge screen that made it more meaningful.  When Jim Caviezel, as Jesus, was turned over to the Roman Soldiers the torture Christ endured became VERY real! 

 

You see, I was stunned by the brutality because in my own mind, I had sanitized the scene to the point that I no longer understood the sheer agony endured by my Savior.  And even worse, I had discounted the price Jesus paid so that I could stand before God as one of His forgiven children!  When I saw the film, my soul broke because I felt as if I had turned my back on His suffering and, like those who cheered His entry into Jerusalem, I had rejected Him.

 

We lose so much when we choose to sanitize the Scriptures so that they are Politically Correct and there's nothing that would disturb our soul.  The Scriptures are supposed to be disturbing, I believe, in order to show us just how God has provided for us and helped us and love us even though we may not return His love.  

 

If you have never seen the film, I encourage you to watch it.  If it has been a while since you saw it, watch it again.  We do a great disservice when we whitewash the Scriptures so they are more palatable to us.