1 Peter 2:24,25

The Purpose of Christ's Death

Peter had gone through a time when he did not understand the purpose of Christ's death (Matthew 16:21-23). In 1 Peter 2:24, he explains the full meaning of that great event by telling that He bore our sins on the cross. Christ bore the consequences of sins when He died for obedient sinners (Romans 6:23; Matthew 20:28; Matthew 26:28; 1 Timothy 2:5; Romans 5:6; Romans 5:9-10; 1 Corinthians 11:24; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Hebrews 2:9; Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 10:10). The tree would, of course, be the cross. Jesus died that Christians might die to sin and live to do what is right in the sight of God (Romans 6:1-18; Colossians 3:1-10). God's commandments are righteousness, so those keeping them would be righteous (Psalms 119:172). In an obvious reference to Isaiah 53:5, Peter spoke of "stripes," which Thayer says means "a bruise, wale, wound that trickles with blood." This would seem to refer to the scourging Jesus experienced on the way to the cross (Matthew 27:26).

Perhaps we have read the words "scourged Jesus" without a full understanding for too long. Jesus' sufferings are well explained by Dr. Davis in an article which was first printed in Arizona Medicine and then reprinted in

Great Commission News. Preparations for the scourging was carried out. The prisoner is stripped of his clothing and his hands tied to a post above his head. It is doubtful whether the Romans made any attempt to follow the Jewish law in this matter of scourging. The Jews had an ancient law prohibiting more than forty lashes. The Pharisees, always making sure that the law was strictly kept, insisted that only thirty-nine lashes be given. (in case of miscount, they were sure of remaining within the law.) The Roman legionnaire steps forward with the flagrum (or flagellum) in his hand. This is a short whip consisting of several heavy, leather thongs with two small balls of lead attached near the end of each.

The heavy whip is brought down with full force again and again across Jesus' shoulders, back and legs. At first the heavy thongs cut through the skin only. Then, as the blows continue, they cut deeper into the subcutaneous tissues, producing first an oozing of blook (sic. blood) from the capillaries and veins of the skin, and finally spurting arterial bleeding from vessels in the underlying muscles. The small balls of led (sic. lead) first produce large, deep bruises which are broken open by subsequent blows.

Finally the skin of the back is hanging in long ribbons and the entire area is an unrecognizable mass of torn, bleeding tissue. When it is determined by the centurion in charge that the prisoner is near death (sic.), the beating is finally stopped. It was by such stripes that Christians were healed from the dreaded disease of sin.

The figure of sheep wandering away from the fold, confused, in grave danger from wild animals, while traversing potentially dangerous terrain, represents the soul that has wandered from the fold of God by stepping into the path of sin (Luke 15:3-7). Those who are Christians are back in the fold of God and under the watchful eye of Jesus who is the shepherd and bishop, or overseer, of their souls. A shepherd guides his sheep with love and tends to their every need (1 Peter 2:25; John 10:1-18; Hebrews 13:20)