Thursday, April 9 He interceded for the transgressors.​—Isa. 53:12.

[Áine]

Thursday, April 9

He interceded for the transgressors.—Isa. 53:12.

 

Jehovah asked Abraham to offer up his own son Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham surely found this to be the most painful task imaginable. Nonetheless, he prepared to follow through with it. But God stopped him at the last moment. Still, that example teaches all people of faith a vital truth—Jehovah would be willing to offer his own beloved Son as a sacrifice. Jehovah loves humans that much. (Gen. 22:1-18) Centuries later, the Law given to the nation of Israel called for many sacrifices to atone for the sins of God’s people. (Lev. 4:27-29; 17:11) Such sacrifices pointed to a greater sacrifice, one that would completely save mankind from sin. God’s prophets were inspired to explain that the promised offspring, who turned out to be a special Son of God, would have to suffer and be put to death in order to save mankind—including you—from sin and death!—Isa. 53:1-12. w24.08 4 ¶7-8

[dljbsp]

“He interceded for the transgressors.” —Isaiah 53:12

 

Not for the righteous.

Not for the ones who got it mostly right.

For transgressors.

 

That word doesn’t soften anything.

It doesn’t excuse.

It doesn’t blur the edges.

It just stands there—clear, direct, uncomfortable.

It points at people who crossed lines they knew were there.

People who didn’t just slip… but stepped over.

[Brad Smith]