He Softens the Blows

Isaiah 53:5
New King James Version (NKJV)
5 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.

Isaiah 54:17
New King James Version (NKJV)
17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord.

Jesus softens our blows. The Word says because of our transgressions and iniquities, He was punished, not us. Although we suffer the consequences of our sins, we have yet to pay the full price for them! Keep in mind,
this scripture is written to Believers...so this is referring to God's people who sin After salvation.

If we're not careful, we look at this scripture and Only apply it to His crucifixion...JESUS IS STILL BEING WOUNDED AND BRUISED ON OUR BEHALF...

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him...so let me ask you, do you still have peace? He's chastised for that...

In chapter 54, we see the thought/point expanded. He shows us because of His protection, that weapons the enemy will form, will not be able to prosper against us. If we're not careful we overlook things in this passage also. Think with me, He said, no weapon formed...this implies that the weapons are still BEING FORMED...it goes on to say that these weapons will not prosper...let me ask you - how can anything be prosperous or a complete failure without being APPLIED AND/OR TESTED?

Jesus said the weapons won't prosper, not that the enemy won't try!  So don't be discouraged when hell comes against you - peace isn't the absence of conflict, it's the presence of a Holy and Just God! Jesus softens our blows, what a relief!

The True Church of Christ

Matt. 16: 13-19, When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples saying, 'Who do men say that I am? They answered, 'some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. He said to them, 'But who do you say I am? Simon answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus answered saying, 'Flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but My Father in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.'

If you look at this scripture, you'd be amazed at what prompted Jesus' speech following what Peter said. Peter simply confessed that Jesus was the
Son of the Most High God! Jesus then exclaimed that He will build His church, upon that revelation! Ergo, in order to be a true church of Christ, you first must recognize who He truly is!


You serve according to what you confess. In other words, if you believe that Jesus was only a good teacher, then that is the level of your commitment!

Look at the rich young ruler's life, (Matt. 19: 16-17, 21-22); he called Jesus a good teacher, but when Jesus challenged him beyond that, he couldn't handle it! Who is Jesus to you? If He is no better than a philosopher, Ghandi, or some other historical person who simply died for a cause - that's not enough to change your life, nor is it enough to be called a living church!

What's important to understand is, without a true revelation of who Jesus Christ is...THE GATES OF HELL WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL...but they cannot prevail when you, as a Christian are armed with that revelation!

Jesus makes this personal - He's asking us today, 'Who do you say I am?' Is He the Lord and Savior, or just another piece of theological ideology? Who is He to you? The answer to that question determines whether or not you're in a Church, or a simple Gathering.