“...and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned-every one-to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:5-6

“By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:24-25

Peter turns Isaiah’s “we” into “you” and his “have turned” into “have now returned.” What’s he doing?

Peter is identifying his readers as the “we” of Isaiah 53 via their faith in Jesus Christ, who by implication is identified as the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53. According to Isaiah, who’s wounds were healed? Who turned to his own way? Who’s sins did the Suffering Servant die for? Who is saved by His death? Isaiah is clear, “stricken for the transgression of my people” (v8).

Peter is applying the truth of Isaiah 53 to his readers, and by extension, to all believers! If we are in Christ, “we” are the people of God for whom Christ died. His substitutionary death paid for our sins and secured our salvation. Thus, all of us who once had “turned”, “have now returned”! Peter wanted his readers to put themselves into Isaiah 53 if they had indeed put themselves into Christ by faith. And that ultimately is where his readers, including us as his readers today, find hope in this life, even in suffering.

In other words, Peter was telling his readers, “When you see the promises of God in Scripture for His people, put yourself in that verse! If you are in Christ, the “we” is talking about “you”!

So why does Peter take liberty with Isaiah? To drive home this point to Christians who are experiencing tremendous suffering - Christ suffered for you, to save you! Endure by faith these temporary hardships, for one day they will give way to the glorious, eternal, joyful presence of God. Keep your hope in Christ grounded in the next life of eternal bliss, and that will see you through this life of momentary sorrow!