How much did Jesus love us? He must have loved us more than any human on earth has ever loved another human. Recently I was hit with a karate chop to my upper back. I was only hit one time, but it has hurt for three days straight. The pain has lessened and it has become more intense. At its most intense, I have tears in my eyes. Jesus received at lest 39 stripes with a scourge. According to the site Bible History Online, “The Roman scourge, also called the "flagrum" or "flagellum" was a short whip made of two or three leather (ox-hide) thongs or ropes connected to a handle as in the sketch above. The leather thongs were knotted with a number of small pieces of metal, usually zinc and iron, attached at various intervals.” He could have stopped the Romans from hitting him. Instead, he thought of you and me. He took those stripes so we could be healed. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be “…wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:5-6).
Then Jesus suffered even more as he was nailed to a wooden cross to die for our sins. He had not done anything worthy of death, yet he took a beaten and then died for us. Though his death and resurrection we can have everlasting life. The writer of Proverbs was referring to Jesus when he said, “…there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24b). Only someone who loves you enough to be beat so for your healing will stay closer than a brother.
Reference:
http://www.bible-history.com/past/flagrum.html
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