“…by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5d

 This is a proclamation to be believed, not a remark to be debated. It is by and through the event of Calvary and the Sacrifice that Jesus there became for the whole of humanity that we receive every good thing that God has for us this side of Heaven. The declaration is here made through the Prophet Isaiah that not only do we receive the removal of our sins and restored peace with the Father through the Cross, but healing – that is, renewed health in body, mind, and spirit – is a part of the package, too. Doctors and the whole gamut of professionals that make up the medical system (for which we are thankful) can make diagnoses and offer temporary reprieves through medication for ailments of the mind and body, but complete healing is rarely, if ever, a guaranteed end result. But Jesus!

‘Healed’ in the Greek may be better rendered and understood in this way: to make fresh, restore to health, usable, fertile. How many people – believers, even – feel completely useless, void of purpose, empty, and without anything to give to the world around them because their minds have been ransacked, broken, and battered by the enemy of their souls? Yet God desires to restore us to the picture of Psalm 1, “…like a tree planted by rivers of water that bringeth forth his fruit in his season…”. Precious believer, this promise is for you – you who would dare to lift your weary gaze again towards Calvary and the Sacrifice that Jesus there paid for you to be whole. This is the heart of the Father crying out through the life and death of His Son, “Wilt thou be made whole?” (John 5:6).

Only believe, only believe;
All things are possible, only believe.
Only believe, only believe;
All things are possible, only believe.
(Hymn by Paul Rader)