Lent Devotion | Day 11

Isaiah 53:6 (NIV)

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Sheep, often misrepresented as being stupid animals, are quite intelligent. They are known to experience many of the same emotions we humans face…fear, joy, boredom, anger and happiness. Isaiah likens us to sheep who have gone astray which, if sheep were stupid animals, might serve to explain our wandering away. But since they are smart animals the comparison is more striking. This would mean that we have chosen, of our own volition and desire, to turn our backs on Jesus.

Jesus, in turn becomes the perfect sacrifice for us as the spotless Lamb of God. The weight of our iniquity is unfathomable, way too much for us to carry alone. So, He bears it on the cross. Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” because He took ALL the weight of our iniquity upon himself.

Be a smart “sheep” and turn back to Jesus. Let him lift the burden of guilt and sin from your shoulders and walk the easy and light life yoked together WITH Jesus. It is a life that is abundant and free!