By His Stripes, Ye Were Healed

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By His Stripes, Ye Were Healed

Rev. Faith Afolayan

Introduction:

Beloveth, as we reflect on a powerful and transformative truth from Scripture: "By His stripes, ye were healed." This profound statement, found in Isaiah 53:5 and reiterated in 1 Peter 2:24, speaks to the sacrificial suffering of Jesus Christ and the comprehensive healing it brings. Let us delve deeply into these verses to understand the breadth and depth of the healing that Christ's stripes have secured for us—spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

I. The Prophetic Declaration of Healing

The prophecy of Isaiah gives us a vivid picture of the suffering servant, whose agony brings healing to humanity.

1. Isaiah 53:5:

   • “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.”

   • This verse highlights the substitutionary nature of Christ’s suffering. He was wounded and bruised for our sins, taking upon Himself the punishment that brings us peace.

2. The Meaning of “Stripes”:

   • The term "stripes" refers to the lashings and scourging Jesus endured before His crucifixion (Matthew 27:26).

   • Each stripe symbolizes the depth of suffering He willingly underwent to secure our healing.

II. The Fulfillment in Christ

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

1. 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.”

   • Peter confirms that Christ’s suffering and death on the cross fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy. He bore our sins so that we could die to sin and live for righteousness.

2. Spiritual Healing:

   • The primary healing spoken of in these passages is spiritual. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are healed from the terminal disease of sin.

   • Ephesians 1:7: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

III. The Breadth of Healing

While the primary focus is on spiritual healing, Christ’s atonement also brings emotional and physical healing.

1. Emotional Healing:

   • Jesus’ suffering also addresses the emotional wounds we bear. He understands our pain and carries our sorrows.

   • Isaiah 53:4: “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.”

   • Matthew 11:28: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Christ invites us to bring our emotional burdens to Him, promising rest and peace.

2. Physical Healing:

   • The healing power of Christ extends to our physical bodies. The Gospels are replete with accounts of Jesus healing the sick, demonstrating His power over physical ailments.

   • Matthew 8:16-17: “When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: ‘He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.’”

   • James 5:14-15 encourages us to seek physical healing through prayer and faith: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.”

IV. Living in the Reality of Healing

Understanding the full scope of Christ’s healing compels us to live in its reality daily.

1. Faith and Confession:

   • We must believe and confess the truth of our healing in Christ. Romans 10:9-10 emphasizes the power of belief and confession in our salvation and by extension, in our healing.

   • Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith appropriates the healing Christ has provided.

2. Appropriating Healing:

   • Engage in regular prayer, seeking God for healing in every aspect of life.

   • Maintain a lifestyle of worship and gratitude, acknowledging His healing power and presence in our lives.

3. Living Righteously:

   • 1 Peter 2:24 connects our healing with living for righteousness. As we live in obedience to God, we experience the fullness of His healing.

   • Romans 6:13: “And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”

Conclusion:

By His stripes, we were healed—this is a profound truth that impacts every area of our lives. Christ’s sacrificial suffering has secured our spiritual, emotional, and physical healing. Let us embrace this healing with faith, live in its reality, and share this hope with others. May we continually remember and proclaim the incredible love and power of our Savior, who bore our sins and sorrows, and by whose stripes we are healed. Amen.

Prayer Request: Send your prayer request to this email: mppangr@gmail.com.