I want to continue to share some thoughts on healing because I believe it is absolutely part of our birthright for those born into the kingdom of God. I believe it is something that Jesus purchased on the cross for every believer. Like many things in the kingdom it is part of our inheritance but it is activated in our lives by faith. As believers it is our birthright to be able to come confidently before the throne of grace in times of need and expect help (See Heb.4:16). In other words, as children of God it is our right to ask the Father for help and expect it. It is our right to pray and expect answers but if we have no faith we either will not pray or if we do pray we will ask with little expectation and receive little. Healing is absolutely ours but it must come by faith and many of us grew up in churches that produced little to no faith for that. Because of that, we need to keep building our faith in God’s desire to heal from the Word rather than from experience or our lack of experience.
Healing comes to us through the cross just as forgiveness comes. The Psalms declared much of the gospel in advance through the inspiration of the Spirit – detailed prophecies regarding the crucifixion flow from the (See Ps. 22), hints of the resurrection (Ps.16:10), and clear declarations of grace based on the sacrifice of Jesus (32:1-2). In addition, David declared, “God forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases (Ps.103:2-3). God only forgives our sins on the basis of the blood of Jesus. This scripture also declares that healing comes to us on the same basis. If the blood of Christ buys us forgiveness then it also buys us healing. If his blood does not buy us all healing from all disease then it does not buy us all forgiveness from all sins.
This truth is demonstrated time and again in the gospels. Jesus preached forgiveness and then healed. That was the proclamation of the kingdom – forgiveness of sin and healing of disease and infirmities. Notice how the two were tied together in the healing of the paralytic in Matthew’s gospel.
“Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home” (Mt.9:5-6).
When Jesus forgave the man’s sins initially the Pharisees were indignant that a “man” would dare to forgive sin. But Jesus went on to prove his authority to forgive sin by healing the man. The proof was imbedded in the truth that death and the disease that eventually leads to death entered the world through sin. Those who live a life unforgiven are bound under death and disease. For those who are forgiven and are in Christ, premature death and disease are not inescapable because Jesus has set us free from the curse of the law (See Gal.3:13). The forgiveness of sin opens the door for healing.
Before the New Covenant, the Old Testament sacrifices as well as Passover opened the door to healing. Many sacrifices were offered in the temple that promised healing after blood had been shed. When Israel left Egypt the night after Passover the scriptures say there was not one lame person among them which is highly unlikely for the slave class. Healing had occurred under the blood of a lamb that pointed ahead to the blood of The Lamb. Numerous other examples tie healing to a blessing that comes after sins have been covered by the blood of the Savior. In addition we are simply told that “by his stripes (or wounds) we are healed (Isa. 53:5; 1 Pet.2:24) Isaiah prophesied, “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. (Isa.53:4). The word “infirmities” is a Hebrew word that is translated “sickness” or “illness” nearly every other place it is used in the Old Testament and should be translated in that way in Isaiah’s prophecy.
We can say with great assurance that the Bible teaches that the blood of Jesus not only purchased forgiveness for all who receive his as Lord but also healing for all who can receive that by faith. In Monday’s blog, I want to add one more layer to this issue by looking at the names of God and how they point to the cross as well. Again, before we can begin to ask for healing or command healing with faith, we must believe that scripture teaches that healing is for all those who are in Christ and for others God wants to draw to Christ by his grace. In the kingdom, healing should be the rule rather than the exception. Keep reflecting on God’s heart, the cross, and the grace of God who always wants what is best for his children.
