Stripes

A tiger has stripes which, to the unsuspecting eye, help break up its immense size and shape when stalking in the jungle. The stripes referred to in Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24 are the lashings relentlessly whipped on to the back of Jesus's body, following which he had to carry a huge, heavy roughly hewn wooden cross before he was nailed to it and crucified as a criminal. Jesus had relinquished his status as the Son of God and His position as the Shepherd of His people flock. Instead, he became as an innocent mute lamb led to slaughter. "By His stripes we are healed". We are indeed "healed" of sin which brings us guilt, shame and subsequent ill health. Jesus's death on the cross brings us back into unrestricted relationship with God.