“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6 NIV)
What is the reason Christ went to the cross? Was it to heal our sicknesses and diseases? Where exactly does it say that? Verse 5, “... by his wounds we are healed.”? Is there only one type of healing? Could it refer to the healing of our souls that were bound for an everlasting hell because of our propensity to sin. Again I ask, why did Jesus have to go to the cross? The answer is simple, but has nothing to do with physical healing.
The answer is that Jesus had to go to the cross, bleed, and die to provide a living sacrifice for the entirety of sins committed by us all. Being sick or having a terminal disease aren’t classified as sins. But a lifestyle that contradicts what God had intended for us is sinful. Why? Because Romans 3:23 tells us “we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” No matter how good you may think you are, without Christ you are a sinner, just like everyone else. Christian’s are just sinners saved by grace.
Nothing in Isaiah 53 would lead us to believe that His death on a cross would insure our physical healing. Would that mean no one would ever die? If every time we were ill, no matter how mild or how critical, God would touch us, and we would become well? That sounds a little absurd to me. We all die eventually, but God does heal according to His will for us as individuals. He chooses not to heal at times, and though I don’t entirely understand why, it’s okay with me because I’ve learned to trust Him with my life. There are many examples of believers who were struck by tragedy, and while God chose not to heal them, He did use them mightily for His Kingdom.
Life this side of heaven was never intended to be perfect. Evil exists in this world because of the one who has control over it; Lucifer, aka, Satan. We can live within a sin sick, evil world because Christ lives and is our protector.
To conclude, let me ask you one more question. Would you rather be healed of some terminal disease or be forgiven for all your sins? Mind you, it’s one or the other. It cannot be both. A terminal death would just usher me into His presence that much sooner. Do you love the Lord? Are you disillusioned by the fact that not all sicknesses are healed by God? Don’t be. Scripture is very clear; Jer 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” That’s why I trust the Lord. How about you?
Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.
In His Name & for His Glory,
RL Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
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