Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–
April 3– Evening
by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned each one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
—Isaiah 53:6
Here is a confession of sin common to all the elect people of God. They have all fallen, and, therefore, admit in common chorus—from the first to enter heaven to the last— “All we like sheep have gone astray.”
This general confession of God’s people also takes on a special and individual dimension since it continues, “We have turned—each one—to his own way.” There is a peculiar sinfulness about each one of us; all are sinful, but each one with some special proclivity not found in others. It is the mark of genuine repentance that, while it associates itself with other sinners in general, it also reflects specifically on one’s own particular sins. Each one of us confesses sinful ways unique to himself and sins performed in unique circumstances which differ from others.
Notice that this confession is unreserved. There is not a word to detract from its force, nor a syllable of excuse in it. The confession gives up on making any arguments of self-righteousness. It is the declaration of men who are consciously guilty– guilty of specific sins, guilty without excuse. They stand with their weapons of rebellion broken in pieces and cry, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned each one to his own way.”
One would expect that we would now hear words of tearful wailings to follow this confession of sin, but the next sentence turns the crying into a song. “The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” It is the most painful sentence of the three, and yet it overflows with comfort. How strange it is that where misery is concentrated, mercy reigns; where sorrow reached her climax, weary souls find rest. The bruised Savior is the One who heals bruised hearts. See how the lowliest penitence gives place to assured confidence through simply gazing at Christ on the cross! Look at him tonight; gaze upon the one who has born your sins. [M&E]
