What Happened on the Cross Isaiah 53: 4 – 6

Isaiah 53: 4 Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was on him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

One of the distinct memories I will carry of the second time around with breast cancer is the number of people who prayed with and for me. Several times in my hospital room, on the phone, in the emails and cards, once even at the Dollar Store, many I knew, some I didn’t. It was a blessing that I will ever be grateful for to our God and to those of His people who know the value of speaking with the Father on behalf of another. Prayer does change things, circumstances, and people. One of the most frequently quoted Scriptures during those prayers was the final part of verse 5…and with His stripes we are healed. I stand here before you today as testimony that our God does heal, does perform miracles. I took a brief look at information about survival rates after first and second occurrences of cancer – needless to say, it is only by God’s grace and mercy that I am still here. But the thought, the challenge, the question I’d like you to consider today – is that what that verse is for? Is this about the healing of our bodies or the healing of our souls?
Consider what the verses say we need to be healed from: Verse 4 griefs and sorrows, that is: anguish, heartache, woe, misery; sadness, melancholy, depression..sickness in the heart and the soul. Does sickness in the body create this? Yes it does, but if only the body is healed without the healing of the sin sick soul then we are healed and healthy sinners still on our way to hell. Those observing Jesus thought He was taking on all that suffering because God was punishing Him for something He had done. Isaish says “not so” that was your misery He took on. Verse 5a reinforces that idea, our transgressions and iniquities caused Jesus to be bruised and afflicted. Listen to Matthew Henry’s words about these verses: “Our sins were the thorns in Christ's head, the nails in his hands and feet, the spear in his side. He was delivered to death for our offences. By his sufferings he purchased for us the Spirit and grace of God…” Jesus took the punishment, the chastisement that was required by our Father God in order for us to be at peace with Him. He who knew no sin became sin. Every one of those stripes Jesus took He took for all of our lies, all of our cursing, all of our envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. Our immorality, adultery, fornication, homosexuality. Our gossip, slander, pride, arrogance and boasting; disobedience, faithlessness, heartlessness, and ruthlessness.(Rom 1:24 – 30). By His stripes, we are healed.
Finallly verse 6, just in case we didn’t get the message and think this is referring to everyone else and not to me. Isaiah compares us to sheep..”all we like sheep”..”every one, each one to his/her own way.” There is no getting around it. There is no way to escape or avoid the fact. I, you, me, we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God yet God has laid the iniquity of us all on Him. By His stripes we are healed.
Sickness and disease exist because of the presence and impact of sin on our natural world. But Jesus did not die for the purpose of saving our bodies. Jesus died to save our souls. The part of us that will live on forever in eternity. Can He physically heal us? Absolutely. Is He willing? Without question. Did He suffer, take those stripes on His back, endure crucifixion, bleed and die because of sickness and disease in our bodies? I think not. Did He rise from the dead with resurrection power so that I wouldn’t have to be sick? I repeat as I started. I am a living, walking, breathing testimony to the healing power of Jesus Christ active in this body.
But His stripes, saved my soul,
His stripes and His crucifixion delivered me from eternal Hell,
His stripes, His crucifixion, and His shed blood cleansed me from my sin
His stripes, His crucifixion, His shed blood and His resurrection have given me the victory.
I am healed today saints, but the healing in my body is not even half the story – it is the liberation, the freeing of my soul from the grip of sin that is the whole story. By His stripes I am, I am healed. I am healed.

Meditating on the Word of God Hebrews 4:12

Hebrews 4:12b For the Word of God is …piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

I would like to call your attention to the last portions of the verse. The Word of God is spoken of as piercing and a discerner. Have you ever cut up a whole chicken in parts? I used to hate doing that. But you know how when you are separating the breast halves, or the thigh from the leg there is that one spot where you can insert the tip of the knife and cut, separate. The knife must be sharp and the placement must be accurate to get a clean cut that does not mangle up the meat. So it is with the Word of God. Deep in our hearts where only God can see, beyond the outward appearance, beneath the spoken words and physical gestures, behind the eyes.

• You may display church membership and participation but God knows whether you are saved and His Word will pierce you with conviction until you yield or die and go to Hell
• You may speak in tongues of angels, prophecy, have great faith, do great kind deeds but God knows your motive and His Word will expose the thoughts and intents of your heart
• You may pray, "God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But God knows your heart and His Word will expose whether your righteousness is real.
• You may be confused and think you do not know what to do but God has the answer and His Word will direct your path.

Do you need a change in your life? Perhaps you need to be saved or to be filled with God’s Spirit. Get into God’s Word and let God’s Word get into you.
Do you need an answer to a difficult problem? Are you struggling with someone, something, or are you just your own worst enemy? Get into God’s Word and let God’s Word get into you. I guarantee that His Word is able to handle your every need. Bless you, Leslie