“Jesus Pierced” sounds like the title of an Easter devotion, not Christmas. Let’s face it, around Easter time, we consider how nails pierced His hands and feet; a whip pierced His flesh; thorns pierced His head; a spear pierced His side; and it was all our fault! “But He was pierced for our transgressions”… Isaiah 53:5
Yes, Jesus was pierced!! However, this devotion is titled, “Jesus Pierced!” Jesus was used to the concept of piercing long before his crucifixion. Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12), and light pierces the darkness to remove the darkness. Jesus had been piercing darkness since the beginning of time. Jesus was present at creation (John 1:3) as light pierced the darkness. Light is the very first thing created (Genesis1:3), and it pierced the darkness that covered the entire earth.
Jesus pierced the darkness of night in Bethlehem at His birth – just ask the shepherds (Luke 2:8). Jesus pierced the darkness of the sky with His star the Magi followed a few years later (Matthew 2:2). Jesus pierced the darkness of the man born blind and gave him his sight (John 9:1). Jesus pierced the darkness of His own grave when He rose from the dead and appeared like lightning (Matthew 28:3). Jesus pierced the darkness of our sinfulness through His perfect life, death, and resurrection. The darkness of our sin will NEVER overcome Him who is the light of the world!! “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
Yes, Jesus was pierced, but I pray that you also consider that all the darkness of our sin has been pierced because God’s love compelled Him to send us a Savior. God sent Jesus, the Light of the World, into our darkness of sin to remove it forever.
Yes indeed: “Jesus Pierced!”
Merry Christmas!
Julian Petzold, Ph.D.
Executive Director