Christ’ death on the Cross is so pivotal because it is a place we should look back at and worship the Lord. That is really something we should all do when we face sickness. We are called to take our eyes off of our current condition and look to Jesus. So does the Cross also include physical healing for our bodies today? I believe there is a clear answer from the Scriptures on this question.
Isaiah 53 is such a great chapter. It is one chapter I pray more Jews would read and understand what Jesus did for them. Isaiah 53:3-5 tells us, “But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.” (HCSB).
Now from this some in the cessationists camp believe that Isaiah 53 is only talking about spiritual healing. The Scripture that disproves this idea is Matthew 8. In this passage, Jesus goes to Peter’s mother-in-law who is sick and heals her. They begin to bring people in, one after another. Matthew tells us that Jesus, “healed all who were ill” (Matthew 8:16). The purpose that Matthew tells us was “to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: ‘He Himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases.’” (Matthew 8:17). Matthew is making a commentary on the famous quote, “By His stripes we are healed” from Isaiah 53. Matthew is telling us that Isaiah 53 was written about how Jesus physically healed people. Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus is still a healer today. I like what David Servant once said, “The Bible is pro-healing. Just think about it for a few seconds. Is the Bible more pro-healing or anti-healing?” God has a heart to see us in health. Obviously, that does not always happen because we still live in this fallen world and are still subject to persecution. Nevertheless, we can know that God is pro-healing.
Jesus healed many people in the Bible, “Your faith has healed you”. Many times, in the four gospels, faith is involved in healing. I encourage you to read the stories about healing. When we do read them, we should be convinced healings take place because of God’s favor through our faith.
All sickness is a result of sin. Sickness and Disease is never a positive thing in the Bible. Job’s friends blamed Job for his sin (Job 4:7-9).Job’s wife blamed God saying, “Curse God and Die” (Job 2:9). When someone goes through a sickness, let’s avoid casting blame on them. Let’s be like the four friends who cut a hole in the roof to lower their disabled friend down. They got him to Jesus and he was healed. Realize that we may not fully understand the exact reason why someone didn’t get healed this side of Eternity.
Divine healing is something Jesus paid for. It is in the atonement of Jesus Christ. When you are sick, go to the Lord. Believe in faith for that healing. Receive your peace even if you are in pain. Ask the Lord to give you joy. Joy that is sustaining. Joy that is like good medicine. Seek the help of others. Don’t fight it alone. Believe and trust that God is a good God! Think about the words of Sam Storms who says, “Let us forever acknowledge that whatever healing and health we experience now is a blessing that flows from Calvary’s tree.”
Hello Caleb,
Thank you for the post, I will like to ask for your thoughts on the following please;
(1) The healing in Matt 8:16 was performed before the cross, and therefore cannot be said to be a part of the atonement as Christ had not yet been crucified. The Lord did not take upon Him the sickness/diseases of the world on the cross, BUT THE SIN. Jn 1:29
(2) We find scriptures that indicate ‘healing’ as performed by our Lord being an ‘identity card’ for the Jews to recognize who He was as their Messiah, so they could turn to Him and be saved. Lk 7:18-22
Thank you.
Hello Babs Enochs! Thanks for making a comment!! I appreciate it!
(1) The healing of Jesus at Peter’s house cites Isaiah 53 and Isaiah 53 is all about the Atonement. At the College of Biblical Studies, my teacher once said something like this. Those saved in the OT were saved on a heavenly credit card. They were waiting the full salvation of Christ.
If the Bible says that people were healed before the Cross then that is what it is.
The Bible never says that Jesus didn’t take away the sickness of the world. In fact it does point to a God who, “Carries our diseases” and heals us. This doesn’t mean there is always 100% healing in this life. It does teach us that if we have faith, we can be healed.
(2) Yes you are right Jesus’ healing are like a identity card! It is the way many on Palm Sunday knew of him. They heard that He raised Lazarus from the dead. 👏 Jesus is the same, yesterday, and forever ♾
Also this is the passage for (1)
When Jesus went into Peter’s house, He saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and began to serve Him. When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick, so that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: He Himself took our weaknesses and carried our diseases.”
Matthew 8:14-17 HCSB