Wounded for Me

In Rembrandt van Rijn’s painting, The Raising of the Cross, he captures the moment the cross is being lifted with Christ upon it. The scene is intense, filled with shadow and light, drawing attention to the weight of what is happening. But one detail stands out—Rembrandt includes himself among those raising the cross.

The story of the cross can feel distant, like a historical event that happened long ago. But it becomes personal when you come to the realisation that Jesus was crucified for you. This is what Rembrandt was acknowledging. Not just observing the moment, but identifying yourself as part of the reason it happened.

He was wounded for your transgressions. He was bruised for your iniquities.

This is more than a story. It is a transaction. At the cross, there was a great exchange—our sin for His righteousness, our pain for His peace, our brokenness for His healing. What we deserved was placed on Him, so that what He carried could be given to us.

Have you truly made the cross personal, or does it still feel distant? Take a moment to thank Jesus for what He carried on your behalf, and ask for a deeper understanding of what His sacrifice means for your life.