(NIV) Isaiah 53:8 “By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
For the transgression of my people he was stricken.”

Today, there are many followers of Christ who are under oppression and judgment because of their faith in Him.  Are you one of those?  Know that you are loved and prayed for by your brothers and sisters in Christ.

For those followers of Christ who live in a place where you are not persecuted, are you praying for those who are?

Jesus underwent illegal trials by the Sanhedrin (the ruling body of Jews) and by the Roman governor Pilate.  Both Jews and Gentiles were, and are, guilty before Almighty God.  (NASB) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

Jesus, Messiah, died… “cut off from the land of the living”

Why?  “For the transgression of my people he was stricken.”  Isaiah declared that his people transgressed and for this reason Messiah died…notice Isaiah wrote this prophecy as if it had already happened.

Transgression…just what is a transgression?  A dictionary definition: The violation of a law, command, or duty.
So, when you violate a law or command or a duty which God has put in place, you have transgressed and you deserve God’s verdict of…Guilty!

Consider some of the Ten Commandments as a place to begin:
Do you put God first in your life?  Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.”
Do you take God’s name in vain?  Exodus 20:7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.”
Do you keep the Sabbath day as a day set apart for God?  Exodus 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
Do you commit adultery, steal, bear false witness against your neighbor, covet what your neighbor has and you don’t?  See Exodus 20:14-17

Of what transgression or violation of God’s law are you guilty?

For your transgression Jesus died.

Transgressions are real sins which need to be dealt with;

they can only be forgiven by God through the Lord Jesus Christ.