Brokenness That Makes Us Whole
Scripture — Isaiah 53:5 (NRSV)
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole,
and by his bruises we are healed.
Focus
Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s vision of the Suffering Servant of God, the one who was wounded, crushed, punished, and bruised. Because Jesus was broken, we can be made whole. Complete wholeness is reserved for the age to come. But even now we can begin to experience the healing that comes through the brokenness of Jesus.
Devotion
When we read this passage from Isaiah 53, we immediately think of the crucifixion of Jesus, and for good reason. He was literally wounded, crushed, punished, and bruised. Even more painful, Jesus experienced alienation from his Heavenly Father when he took our sin upon himself. He entered into the “Hell” that comes when people reject God, even though he never did that himself.
How might we respond to what Jesus has done for us as the Suffering Servant of God? Gratitude is a beginning. When we realize that Jesus suffered for our sake, our hearts are filled with thanksgiving. Truly, the Christian life is one, long expression of thanks to the Lord for his magnificent mercy.
Another response to the one who was broken so we could be whole is to embrace our wholeness. We no longer have to live as broken people—spiritually, emotionally, relationally. Although we will not experience complete wholeness this side of the age to come, through Christ we can begin the process of healing now. We do so by asking for the Lord’s help, laying our struggles and sins in honest prayer. We embrace our wholeness by refusing to let our fears and prejudices keep us from becoming all that the Lord envisions us to be.
The wholeness Jesus offered is not just for our private and personal lives. It enables us to begin to live as new people wherever we are, including our workplaces. For example, as people who have been forgiven by the Lord, we can offer forgiveness when we are wronged by our colleagues, rather than seeking to get even. Or, as those who have begun to enjoy the peace of Christ, we can help our places of work to reflect the shalom of God. The wholeness we receive from Jesus is something to be shared with others, even as we invite them to accept this wholeness for themselves.
Reflect
Have you expressed your gratitude to the Lord for suffering so that you might be whole?
How have you embraced your wholeness in Christ?
Where would you like to experience more of his wholeness today?
How might you embody the wholeness of Jesus in your work today?
Act
Set aside some time to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus and what it means for you. Be sure to express your gratitude for the salvation you have in Jesus.
Pray
Lord Jesus, how I thank you for being the Suffering Servant of God, the one who was beaten so that I could be whole. Your sacrifice makes all the difference in the world to me. It gives me a chance that I would never have without you. Through you, I can begin to live as a whole person, even as I await the fullness of the new creation that is yet to come. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your sacrifice for me.
Help me to live in the wholeness you offer. May I not be satisfied with a broken life. Where I sin, may I confess and receive your forgiveness. Where I am wounded, may I be open to all the ways you want to heal me. Where my relationships are dysfunctional, may your Spirit bring a new level of wholeness. Help me, Lord, to embody your wholeness in every part of life: in my work, my family, my community, my church, and my public life.
All praise be to you, Lord Jesus, Servant of God, for you are the source of my wholeness! Amen.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the High Calling archive, hosted by the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: The Suffering Glory of the Servant Isaiah.
Mark D. Roberts
Senior Strategist
Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a Senior Strategist for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where he focuses on the spiritual development and thriving of leaders. He is the principal writer of the daily devotional, Life for Leaders,...