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Back to Podcast EpisodesIsaiah 51-55: The Healing
Season 3 Episode 68
The Meaning of True Healing
In our reading today from Isaiah 51-55, we encounter some of the most profound messianic prophecies in all of Scripture. Isaiah 53, in particular, provides a startlingly accurate depiction of the suffering servant, describing one who was despised, rejected, and ultimately crushed for our iniquities. While many depictions of Jesus focus on physical attractiveness, the prophet reminds us that the Messiah had no special beauty or form to make us notice him. His draw was his message and his mission, not his outward appearance.
The commentary for this episode focuses on the interpretation of Isaiah 53:5, which states that we are healed because of his wounds. Steve notes that while many interpret this to mean physical healing from illness or disease, the context of the entire chapter points toward spiritual healing from sin. Sin is the cause of spiritual death, and it is from this ultimate death that we are healed because Christ took the punishment we deserved. While God certainly can and does heal physical bodies today, this specific promise in Isaiah refers to the 100 percent successful healing of our spiritual relationship with the Father.
Ultimately, God is more interested in our spiritual health than our physical health. Steve shares that sometimes physical illness is the very tool God uses to bring someone to a point of accepting His forgiveness. If a life on earth is cut short so that an individual may spend eternity in God’s presence, the spiritual healing far outweighs the physical loss. We are invited to seek the Lord while He is near and return to Him, for He will freely forgive.
On This Date in Church History
On November 5, 1841, American clergyman and hymn writer Daniel C. Roberts was born. He is best known for authoring the majestic hymn, God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand. Additionally, on this same date in 1935, a significant merger took place in Nashville as the Cooperative General Association of Free Will Baptists and the General Conference of Free Will Baptists joined to form the National Association of Free Will Baptists.
Prayer Requests
Today we lift up Kathi, who is undergoing chemo treatments and experiencing significant pain in her arm. We also pray for Del and Kathi as they seek wisdom regarding their living situation and the challenges of managing a three story home with Kathi’s health and Del’s cognitive needs. Additionally, we pray for the mother of a producer known as Sir Titsy, who is also battling cancer. We ask for God’s healing touch and for the peace that passes all understanding to be upon these families.
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Published on 1 day, 15 hours ago