12/8 1 Peter 2:24

²⁴ He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

If I were to ask a fellow believer why Jesus died, the response is likely to be this: "So that all who come to Him might have forgiveness and eternal life." That is true, but it misses what Peter is getting at in our verse today. In this verse Peter -and elsewhere Paul (Romans 6:16-20) -emphasizes the immediate change that takes place. The power of sin is broken and we are enabled to live by the Spirit.

This is also the picture that baptism portrays. Our death to sin is symbolized by immersion in water. It pictures burial. Rising from the water represents being resurrected with Jesus to new life, a righteous life. The ritual does not save you, but it does declare what has taken place in your life. Those who pray to be saved from judgment but have no change in their lives have not yet been freed from the power of sin. We are not instantly made sinless, but the purpose, direction, and desires of our lives have made an about-face.

Peter quotes Isaiah 53:5, "with his wounds we are healed," and interprets it to mean Jesus heals us from the bondage of sin. Perhaps you have heard this verse quoted many times related to physical healing. In some instances that may be true, but here Peter is speaking of a healing of our soul.

Consider: Think about this purpose for which Jesus died for you. Have you been living it out? Do you realize that God's love for you sent Jesus to the cross to free you from the destructive effects of sin in your life? May it not be in vain!