THE 5 WOUNDS OF JESUS

“Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 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 ‭53:4-5‬ ‭NKJV

I don't think that we are always mindful of what Christ did for each of us - giving Himself to die on the cross that we too might have life eternal.

I am humbled again and again as I read passages of scripture like this that remind me of the pain and suffering that He endured that we might be forgiven of our sins.

Actually, if you read the whole of Isaiah 53 you will see 5 WOUNDS THAT JESUS ENDURED FOR US.

Wounds: Webster’s dictionary says this about wounds …’An injury to the body that involver laceration or breaking of the skin.’ According to a classification by the medical profession, wounds are shown in at least five ways.

The amazing thing here that in the phrase "He was wounded" there is included all the five wound concerning the suffering of Christ.

1.  The Contused Wound

This is a wound produced by a blunt instrument, a blow, by a rod.

This was fulfilled in:

“Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him,” Matthew‬ ‭26:67‬ ‭NLT‬‬

2. The Lacerated Wound 

A wound produced by a tearing instrument. Lacerations in Jesus suffering were produced by scourging or whipping. The scourge was made of thongs each tipped with bone or metal.

In the hands of an expert the recipient could say.. 

“My back is covered with cuts, as if a farmer had plowed long furrows.” Psalms‬ ‭129:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.” Isaiah‬ ‭50:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This was fulfilled in:

“So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.” Matthew‬ ‭27:26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

3. The Penetrating Wound   

This is awound produced by a sharp pointed instrument.’

The crown of thorns produced this kind of wound upon the head of Jesus. It is said the Jerusalem thorn bore sharp spike like projections up to 4 inches in length.

“So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified...They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!”” Matthew‬ ‭27:26, 29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

4. The Perforating Wound

This is a wound produced by a piercing instrument. Perforating comes from a Latin word ‘to pierce through.’

“My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet.” Psalms‬ ‭22:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
The nails were driven into Jesus’ hands and feet. They were driven between the bones, separation, perforating the flesh. The way Jesus died was not a normal way.

5. The Incised Wound

This wound was a deep cut produced by a sharp edged instrument.

“One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.” John‬ ‭19:34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This wound was the last one upon the body of Jesus and was inflicted with the practiced hand of the Roman soldier to make certain that whatever life was present would be put out. This wound was quite large, for in:

“Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”” John‬ ‭20:27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

"Doubting Thomas" had reservation about Jesus.  To prove His identity Jesus had Thomas place his hand into the wound on Jesus' side.  Jesus then tells him to no doubt any more and just "believe."

We must all come to that point of belief in Jesus and what He did for all of us - the whole world.

Let us be like Thomas…John 20:28 and cry out as he did in worship and adoration…. “My Lord and My God!”

We should daily thank God for his provision and sacrifice to take away all our sins.  Thank God for His wounds.

Original Sermon by Tony Abram