APRIL 3

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
(Isaiah 53:6)

This passage expresses a collective confession of sin shared by all the elect people of God. They have all strayed, and so, in unison, from the first who entered heaven to the last who shall arrive, they declare, “All we like sheep have gone astray.”

This confession is not only unanimous but also special and particular: “We have turned everyone to his own way.” While all are sinful, each individual faces their own unique struggles with sin, which may not be evident in others. Genuine repentance is characterized by a recognition of shared guilt alongside an acknowledgment of personal failings. The statement “We have turned everyone to his own way” reflects that each individual has sinned against their own specific understanding of right and wrong or with a type of wrongdoing that they may not see reflected in others.

This confession is unreserved; there are no words that dilute its impact, nor any excuses offered. It is the declaration of those who are fully aware of their guilt—guilty with no justifications or excuses. They stand with their instruments of rebellion shattered and cry out, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way.”

However, this confession is not accompanied by mournful wails; instead, the subsequent line transforms it into something almost melodic: “The LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Although this statement carries weighty grief, it is also filled with comfort. It is remarkable that where anguish was concentrated, mercy triumphed; where sorrow reached its peak, weary souls found rest. The Savior, marked by suffering, becomes the source of healing for broken hearts.

Reflect on how this humble confession transitions into profound assurance simply by looking at Christ on the cross!