“…And with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
Dear Ones:
One of the most amazing things about John’s vision of the Lamb of God in the book of Revelation, chapter four, is that when he sees the Lord Jesus, he describes Him as “…a Lamb as it had been slain.” (v.6) It is apparent by the vision that the glorified Christ still bears the scars of His suffering and crucifixion in His body. Even after the resurrection, before He ascended into heaven, the Lord Jesus showed Thomas the scars in his hands and side. Why do His scars remain? They are meant for an everlasting testament, the result and effect of the sinfulness of man, but also, of the love of God. What is the significance of these scars for us today?
These scars and the “healing” of man go hand in hand. The scars make the healing possible. What manner of healing are we talking about? When we consider the subject of healing, most of our attention is drawn toward that which is physical. Though we see the Lord Jesus healing many physically during His ministry, we also see Him healing in a different way. In French evangelical circles, when considering ministering to others, the term, “cure d’ame” is often used. It’s translation means, “…the healing of the soul.” Christ died not only to be the Healer of our bodies, but the Healer of our emotions, intellect, and will…that which comprises our soul. When the demon-possessed man of the Gadarenes came to Jesus, after living among the tombs, wearing no clothes, and breaking every bond, Jesus sent the demons into swine which were grazing near by. When the towns-folk came to see the sight of the “healed” man, they found him: “…sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed, and in his right mind.” (Luke 8:35) Jesus had healed “his wounded mind.” In Jeremiah’s prophecy to Israel, he wrote concerning the return of the people from the land of their captivity to the land of Israel. “Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I WILL CURE THEM, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.” (Jer. 33:6) Of what type of healing does He speak? In the Old Testament, there is the consistent theme of sin being the cause of wounds. “Thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity.” (Jer. 30:15) Israel suffered greatly when she was taken away into captivity. Not only was there physical suffering, but also the great suffering of sorrow. In the promise of God to heal her, He says: “I will cure them…and reveal unto them the abundance of PEACE and Truth.” Jesus would later say to the multitudes: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (peace)…ye shall find rest unto your SOULS.” (Matt. 11:28,29) Have we made the Lord Jesus to be our Healer today by faith? He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Dear Father, Open our eyes to see that by the stripes inflicted on Christ’s body, we ARE HEALED. The testimony of those stripes declare the wretched results of our sin, but also, the mercy, grace, and love of God. Give us to realize that Christ came to heal…not only the body, but the soul…OUR soul…TODAY. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad