The whole chapter 53 of the book of Isaiah portrayed the suffering messiah born into this sinful world. For what was its purpose? The ingenuity and flair of the writer and the beauty of the chapter give us a clear understanding of our Lord Jesus; His purposes on earth, accomplishments at Calvary and the motivation of His sacrifices. Isaiah 53:5 onward explicitly detailed the happenings of Jesus Christ sufferings en route to Calvary.
The three nails were what I saw in this graphic. Incidentally, the graphic relates to a commercial product which promotes energised drink. Some may see it differently; others may claim the graphic imagery of the 3 nails represented a connection with the nefarious entity, Satan. Perhaps, also his imminent protege who will take the stage at the end-times. But the three nails, two thieves and one cross at Calvary was the mysterious but perfect salvation plan for mankind. He came for one purpose, that is to die for our redemption and then, rose to life for a victory over death.
The three nails as it drove into the flesh of our Lord Jesus must have been an excruciating experience. Imagine also the scourges of the roman whips on its whole body prior to the actual execution on the hill of Calvary. Any normal human would probably have succumbed to the brutality and die without making the famous journey of Via Dolorosa. The two thieves did not have to be subjected to the scourges before their execution. Why? Isaiah 53:5 recorded the reasons why this Lamb of God must be pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
No human, none neither the past, nor the present or in the future, can say that they can endure such cruelty, torture and agony. None can claim to be the perfect Lamb of God, save our Lord Jesus Christ.
He was made an offering to God for our iniquities. As a perfect Lamb for offering, He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. In short, He was without sin. Yet it is the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer on our behalf. An unblemished lamb set aside for the perfect and ultimate sacrifice that God demanded for our release from the grasp of sins. After then, He will forgive our wickedness, and never again remember our sins. As an obedient Son, He sought only to do His Father’s will. And He did. Therefore, the will of His Father will prosper in His hand.
The three nails, as insignificant as it were, were instrumental in the salvation plan for mankind. Three nails, each represented a different expect of the redemptive works. The nail of forgiveness; God said He will forgive their wickedness, and He will never again remember our sins.” in Hebrews 8:12. The second nail stood for the shroud of mysteries surrounding God’s redemptive rescue. Apostle Paul wrote in his epistle to the Colossians about the great mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. In Isaiah 53:1, the prophet emphatically asked who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? Is the mystery being the revelation of the suffering servant-king? Can it be the inconceivable advent of Grace Himself, Yeshua, for humanity, as a perfect atonement for our sins? Yes, indeed! His sacrifices were His masterful execution of His salvation for us all. The epistles and the book of Hebrews written by Apostle Paul in the New Testament reiterated the mystery upon mystery of the person Grace and Truth. Finally, the third nail represented the act of surrender. This involves doing away with all selfish desires of the flesh. It is depriving oneself of its own wills and rights. Therefore, the act of surrender is never an easy task to undertake. It has to be based on love. Christ is a fine example of what is the essence of the act of surrender. His love for His Father is indisputable as was recorded in John 14: 31, “But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do.” So was His love for us.
1 John 3:16 emphasize the outcome of Christ’s love for us by saying, “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us…” In John 15:13, there are no greater love than this, that One (Yeshua) lay down His life for His friends. If there are still doubters, John 13:34 should eradicate all doubts as it states, “ A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Our Lord Jesus, being a deity Himself, equal with God, chose to submit and in doing so, forsake all His wills and rights. He endured the suffering, humiliation and the cross, knowing the eternal joy and victory it would bring for us.
God the Father was pleased with Jesus Christ His beloved Son.