Pierced for Our Transgressions
Devotional by Jeremy Hamblen
Read Isaiah 53:5, Psalm 34:20, John 19:31-37
Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
Psalm 34:20
He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
John 19:31-37
Jesus’ Side Is Pierced
31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.”37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.
Devotional
On a darkened hill called Calvary, ancient promises met divine fulfillment before a mixed audience of friends and foes. There, Isaiah’s Suffering Servant hung lifeless on the cross, fulfilling two seemingly contradictory prophecies—His body was pierced for our sins (Isaiah 53:5), yet not a single bone was broken (Psalm 34:20). One prophecy was fulfilled by what happened, the other by what didn’t—a tension not meant to be resolved, but one that would ultimately reconcile us to Him, the One who was sovereign over it all.
Immanuel—the author and architect of our flesh, who came to us clothed in it—was fully man, fully God, and fully at work.
Only in His fullness could destruction bring preservation.
Only in His fullness could justice become mercy.
Only in His fullness could the victim be the victor.
Only in His fullness could the lamb be the lion.
Only in His fullness could despair turn to hope.
Only in His fullness could death give way to life.
In Christ’s pierced yet preserved frame, judgment and mercy kissed. Just as lightning strikes a rod instead of a house, divine wrath found its willing target in the shoot of Jesse rather than in us.
This was no accident, as John recorded: “These things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled” (John 19:36). The violent wounds Jesus suffered to pay for our willful rebellion were contrasted by the protection of His bones. This not only points to the unbroken, spotless Passover lamb (Exodus 12:46), but also, to David’s original readers, “His bones” symbolized more than just His skeleton—they represented His entire being.
This dual fulfillment reveals Christ in His complete work: our substitute, who bore our piercing; our sacrifice, whose unblemished offering secured atonement; and our victor, whose preserved frame foreshadowed resurrection. In His body, both the reality of death and the certainty of victory coexisted in perfect tension. Christ embodied all divine purposes in Himself.
On this Good Friday, we stand at the crossroads of judgment and mercy, beholding the wounds that heal us and the preservation that promises us life. “He was pierced for our transgressions… not one of His bones will be broken.” In these prophetic words made flesh, we find our hope: judgment endured, redemption secured, resurrection guaranteed.
A Good Friday, indeed!
Action Step: Think of one person—a friend, coworker, or family member—who could use some encouragement or an invitation to church. Then take a bold but simple step: send them a quick text today!
Feel free to copy and paste this message:
(NAME), I thought about you today! I’d love for you to join me for our Good Friday service tonight. Can I come get you or save you a seat?
A personal invitation can go a long way in opening someone’s heart to God. Don’t wait—reach out today!
I want to reference Acts 1:8 and also Acts 16:31 because it is a fact that you are not just building witnesses on his will, and the fact is that it is about believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.
Thinking of that old rugged cross that brings joy and the hope of Easter.
I could not stand by and watch my innocent son be tried, convicted and brutally executed. NO. I would expend all my talent, all my time, I would expend my all in his defense.
Yet, in your love for me, Father God, you purchased my salvation through the sacrifice of your Son.
PRAISE THE LORD AND HALLELUJAH!! 📖🙏🕊✝
GOOD FRIDAY: Jesus was crucified on a cross. Darkness covered the whole earth. Enduring words to me were: . “He was pierced for our transgressions… not one of His bones will be broken.” In these prophetic words made flesh, we find our hope: judgment endured, redemption secured, resurrection guaranteed. He paid the price for us! Accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour today if you have not done so. We exalt His Holy Precious Name! He’s Worthy of All Praise! That’s My King! Blessings and Favor to all on this Holy Good Friday!
Beautiful imagery and so eloquently captivating is the truth that my Jesus, my Savior suffered so that I wouldn’t. May today be a day full of gratitude and remembrance.
I remember you, Lord, because you thought of me. You were bound to this cross so I could be free.
Oh, What a glorious mystery
Our suffering servant, now made the King!
Amen
Thank You, Jesus, the lamb of God who laid down your life and was wounded and , beaten brutally for my sins, for my redemption and reconciliation. I worship You, I honor You, I glorify You Jesus, You are worthy of all Praise, honor, and Glory,
I pledge to live for you every day and tell others of your sacrifice for our sins . Thank you Father God for giving us your one and only son so that we may not perish but have eternal life. Glory to God 🙌🙌🙌 Hallelujah!!!
“He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled”. Through His sacrifice, we find our assurance. And a witness to “the hope that is within us.”
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
I’m thankful for the eyewitnesses to the crucifixion and resurrection who preserved what they saw and heard. Millenia later we can read and meditate on it.
The authors of the gospel did not hide their own failures or lack of understanding, which can comfort us when we fail. May Christ have mercy on us.
Lord you are the Alpha and the Omega, you are everything we need.
Thank you Jesus! Thank you for You for The Word, for the earth , the beauty. Thank you for your Love.
I once heard a preacher say: It was indeed a bad day for the good guy and a good day for the bad guy on that First Good Friday. Thank you Lord Jesus that you chose to sacrifice yourself for me. Thank you for bearing the weight of the world’s sin on your shoulders so that we could be children of God. May the lost accept your precious gift today. May your saints always honor the great sacrifice you made for us. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen
By the mercy of Christ, his work on the cross, the hours of agony, and his final breath were not of pain, but of victory! He draws close to the Father. God’s plan was carried out: “It is finished,” because it is finalized, we will not be punished but will have eternal life in abundance. John 3:16. And Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, continues to work in the word today with you and me!! Happy Resurrection Day!!
Thank you for your eloquent and comprehensive thoughts Jeremy…”judgment and mercy kissed”…
It is beyond my understanding that Christ, my Savior who recued me, while upon that cross uttered, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46) I can only imagine that the excruciating pain and agony upon His human body may have been responsible…
2 Cor 5:21 indicates what is happening here: the full wrath of God the Father is being poured out on Jesus at this point as our Savior takes upon Himself the punishment for our sins…and we understand the God can not tolerate sin… (His eyes are too pure… Hab 1:13).
As the full debt for our transgressions is paid, our beloved Savior utters, “It is finished.” Jn 19:30 and “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Lk 23:46 Christ had finished the work that His Father had sent Him to do… Jn 17:4
“…the Greek word translated “it is finished” is tetelestai, an accounting term that means “paid in full.” When Jesus uttered those words, He was declaring the debt owed to His Father was wiped away completely and forever. Not that Jesus wiped away any debt that He owed to the Father; rather, Jesus eliminated the debt owed by mankind—the debt of sin.”
Thus, judgment and mercy kissed… God’s judgment and His overwhelming mercy…
I often asked what makes Good Friday Good and through Bible study found that the crucifixtion was an act of commitment, forgiveness, grace, humility, joy,kindness, love,mercy,sacrifice, totality, finality, revelation, bravery, endurance,and defiance. And that is why Good Friday is Good !!!
Thank You, Jesus for my salvation. Thank You for loving me so much! Thank you for paying my debt. I love You, so! I want to shine brightly for You!
It is so hard to watch the movie The Passion. What Jesus went through for us. Praise God we have a wonderful savior who loves us unconditionally.
Isaiah 53:5……. upon Him was the chastisment that brought us peace.
CHASTISEMENT: Severe punishment,, suffering, hardship, and pain publicly inflicted either by stripes or other forms of corporal punishment as defined by law.
…. And with His wounds we were healed.
WOUNDS: Physical scars from beatings, scars from severe public criticism and shaming and rebuke that is excessive or disproportionate to the offense.
Jesus went through all this so I could find “peace” and ” healing”. I for one , am surely not worthy to receive, by far. He left heaven for me- He could have called ten thousand angels… Thank you Jesus that because of all your pain and suffering and love I will spend an eternity in Heaven. My favorite hymn has always been – in the old Baptist Hymnal -page 477- Now I Belong To Jesus.
Two more reason to trust God in Jesus, his promises are good and his prophecies are proven true.
Thank you, Jesus, my Lord and Savior, for surrendering your life for me, so that I am cleansed as white as snow to have hope and joy in eternal life in heaven with You and God my Father.
I surrender all of me to You, Lord Jesus. I surrender all to Jesus, Blessed Jesus. I surrender all.
Good Friday, Hallelujah
Joyful Good Friday
Thank you for these devotionals. They are very inspiring. Bless the Lord, oh my soul and all that is in me bless His holy name.
“ In Christ’s pierced yet preserved frame, judgment and mercy kissed. Just as lightning strikes a rod instead of a house, divine wrath found its willing target in the shoot of Jesse rather than in us.”
WOW. Beautifully said. Thank you Jeremy.
God is love!
A simple sentence that is the most important truth ever spoken.