DID JESUS DIE FOR OUR PHYSICAL HEALING?

But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 ESV

In one of the greatest chapter in the Bible, the Prophet Isaiah gave a detailed account of the atoning work of Christ. The above verse is a beautiful explanation of what our Lord did for us. But this verse is widely misunderstood, at worst seriously undervalued. 

In Isaiah 53:5, we see the greatest exchange between the holy and unholy. Jesus the innocent One was punished for guilty sinners. He was pierced and crushed for our sins. Christ made a way so that there’ll be peace between God and man.

The big question is, what are we healed of? Well, the verse explains itself. Christ atoning work on the cross was dealing with man’s primary problem. Sin is the disease that leads to death. The fall of Adam affected his relationship with God, his wife and the rest of the creative order. As a result, the fallen man had a disease that needs to be cured (Genesis 3:1-19).

As God planned and the Prophets predicted, the second Adam suffered in place of the sick descendants of the first Adam in order to heal them of the incurable disease (Romans 5:12-21). The blood of Christ heal spiritually and cleanse from all unrighteousness.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 ESV

Peter’s use of Isaiah 53:5 shed light on the correct interpretation of the verse. Peter confirms that this healing from Christ is spiritual. The wounds of Christ healed us from spiritual sickness namely sin. Our lowly bodies will be transformed and glorified (Philippians 3:21). So also, the substitutionary death of Christ grants a new life and a power through the Holy Spirit to live in righteousness.

However, someone may object stating that Jesus healed many people and that it must be His will to heal people all the time. Firstly, the primary purpose of Christ miracles are to confirm that He was the promised Messiah but also to reveal the glory of God (Acts 2:22, John 11:4).

Evidently, He expressed this to the unbelieving Jewish leaders for them to see His signs and believe that He is the Saviour of the world (John 10:37-38). In addition, Jesus healed as He was moved with compassion however, He didn’t heal everyone (John 5:1-9). So also His appointed Apostles took after Him to authenticate their message that they are messengers of God (Mark 3:13-19, Hebrews 2:3-4).

Most importantly, Jesus did not promise a perfect life but assured us of troubles in this present age (John 16:33).  However, His grace is sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The central importance of physical healing is that, it’s temporal but most of all it’s a foretaste of our eternal state. For instance, Lazarus was raised from the dead but died again (John 11). Ultimately, the healing that people need is eternal (Ephesians 2:6). Nevertheless, God does heal, however, it is according to His sovereign will.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 ESV

Our physical bodies are declining through suffering and age. However, the hope of a Christian is that it’s working for our good. Whilst, we decay outwardly, inwardly or spiritually we are being renewed. 

The truth is, Christians are not exempt from life’s afflictions and will sometimes endure adversity. However, God uses those afflictions to purify us but also for His glory. 

Remarkably, the afflictions, we will experience in this life, is light compared to the future glory that awaits us. Therefore, whether, a Christian is suffering from physical sickness or other types of suffering or thriving in health and wealth. The wonderful truth is, every true Christian has an eternal glory that awaits them in the coming age.