During World War II a minister saw a wounded British soldier painfully hobbling along on a street in London. Stopping him, the minister surprised the soldier by saying, “Thank you for being wounded for me!” Never before had anyone really thanked him in such a manner, though he assumed his sacrifice was appreciated. Then the minister said to the soldier, “I know someone who was wounded for you.”
“Wounded for me, sir?” he replied. “And who could that be?”
“It was the Son of God,” said the minister. “The Bible says, ‘He was wounded for our transgressions.’”
I don’t know how this story turned out. Maybe the man was taught and became a Christian if he had not already. But, no doubt, this comment made a lasting impression on him. He probably thought about it many times as the pain in his body would become almost unbearable.
The cross of Christ remains insignificant until each of us realizes that Jesus died for me. Yes, He died for the world, but it was for individuals in the world. Paul wrote that Christ “loved me, and gave Himself up for me.” (Gal. 2:20)
William G. Owens wrote the following lines in 1931:
“Wounded for me, wounded for me;
There on the cross He was wounded for me.
Gone my transgressions, and now I am free,
All because Jesus was wounded for me.”
Why Was Jesus Willing To Be Wounded For Me And You?
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Because of our value. He did not consider us worthless. In fact, He considered every soul to be of greater value than the whole world. (Matt. 16:26) To Him, the drunk on Skid Row is just as valuable and important as the President. Every person is of eternal value and worth saving. Parents may abuse a child, but when he grows up he can learn and know that he is of value because Jesus died for him. People can be rejected and put down all their lives, but as they consider the wounds of Jesus hanging on that cross, they can know that they are worth something. If we know our value to the Lord, shouldn’t we try to reach every other soul who is lost in sin so that they can know their value also?
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Because our souls were doomed to an everlasting hell. The wages of sin is death, eternal separation from God. (Rom. 6:23; Rev. 21:8) Christ was willing to go to any extent to save us from such a destiny, even the death of the cross. Such a willing sacrifice of Himself was a love the world had never seen. Never did He consider the sacrifice too great. He willingly laid down His life. (John 10:17)
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Because we could not save ourselves. That would have required perfection, as just one sin would separate us from God and bring forth death. (Rom. 5:12) Keeping the law could not save the Jews. “For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.” (Gal. 3:21) The Gentiles, who did not have the law, stood condemned before God. (Rom. 2:12) “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.” (Rom. 3:10)
Every time we read about the cross, let’s always remember that He was wounded for me. Every time we are tempted to sin, let’s remember that He was wounded for me.
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