“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 NKJV
Many of you may be shaking your heads now wondering what in the world is meant by the title of this devotional.
Christians are divided on the issue of healing. Are some people cured instantaneously and miraculously by God? How about gradually and miraculously by God? Are doctors the primary vehicle for curing someone? Does God inspire men and women in advancing both treatment modalities and equipment to heal? Based upon my personal experiences, I know the answers are yes, yes, yes, and yes!
Does God heal everyone? Absolutely not! I confess to not knowing why He cures some people but not others and His timing. However, my lack of understanding does not in any way negate the fact that He heals. I submit that people who do not believe in miraculous healing are highly unlikely to experience it as a result of their unbelief. Here’s the great news: miracles did not cease two millennia ago!
In the original Greek text of the New Testament, the word sozo occurs 101 times. It happens 49 times in the four gospels, including quotations by Jesus. You are likely aware that Bible translators get tripped up over some words that don’t have a single word meaning in English. Sozo is a great example as it carries multiple meanings. It is a verb that means to save, to restore, and to heal. The primary English translation turns up related to salvation. However, this fact does not diminish that it also relates to healing.
The Isaiah prophecy about Jesus appears in the scripture above. The original Hebrew word for sozo translates into healing in this instance. By His death and resurrection we have restoration and salvation. By the beatings inflicted on Him, we have healing.
The Old Testament scripture appears again in the New Testament in 1 Peter 2:24: “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” What word is used in the original Greek text in this instance to indicate His beatings provide a means for our healing? You guessed it–sozo!
Are you willing to cast aside any unbelief and allow God to work miraculously in your life?
Prayer: Thank you, dear God, for providing salvation, restoration, and healing to our lives. Amen