Healing in the Atonement (4/22)
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. You were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” I Pet. 2:24, 25
The Good Shepherd cares for his sheep and He still heals us. That healing is first of all spiritual because we have gone astray. But Jesus took our sins on his body, so there is also physical healing and health. Those who live by God’s commands have less health problems in general. We don’t abuse our bodies as many in the world around us do.
We can also expect healing based on Isaiah’s great prophecy in chapter 53. “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows.” V. 4 That refers to both physical and emotional healing. Of course, the entire passage of Isaiah 53 refers to Jesus, his death and resurrection. Verse 5 continues, “the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
Did the New Testament church practice healing? Most certainly. It is listed as one of the spiritual gifts poured out on the church. It was experienced by many people when they heard the gospel. It was also administered by elders in the church praying for members of the flock. (Remember that NT elders and pastors were interchangeable, whether part time elders or full time pastors.) “If any of you is sick, let him call for the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.” James 5:14 I am happy to be part of a church that practices that.
These times of prayer take place mostly behind the scenes. We have seen God minister to many people. They are not always healed, but we continue to pray for those who need it and leave the results in God’s hands. Laying on of hands, with or without oil, is the biblical method; and the name of Jesus is the Key.
We try to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in these times of ministry. We are mindful that even the apostles did not always heal. Sometimes they themselves were sick or had friends remain sick. But God is gracious either way!
We are also thankful for healing gifts through doctors and medicines. I have heard doctor friends say: “We do the treatment, but God does the healing.” Amen!
Dear Lord, thank you for what Jesus did in taking our sins on his body on the cross. Thank you for forgiveness. But we also thank you that you are a healing God and there is healing in the atonement that Jesus accomplished on Calvary.
God, we confess that we don’t understand your ways and that our plans are often adjusted. But Lord, thank you that you have given us a way to have prayer for our infirmities, illnesses and conditions. Thank you that by his wounds we are healed. Lord, we realize that physical healing is temporary for a time in this life. But we thank you that spiritual healing is eternal. And so we continue to celebrate the cross and Jesus’ many gifts to us. In His Name we pray, Amen.
Lord, we remember the words of Jeremiah 17:14: “Heal me and I will be healed, save me and I will be saved, for you are my praise.”
If you would like to hear a song that I wrote based on Jeremiah 17, you can catch that in my devotional on Fairfield Christian Church Facebook on Monday. God Bless.