September 14 - Theology of healing

September 14 - doctrine of healing

Let me start today by reading Isaiah 53:4-5

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 

These are the words of Isaiah the prophet. Theologians and scholars look to Isaiah as a bridge between the Old Testament and the promise of the Messiah. Through a close study of Isaiah, you will find that the person of Jesus is laid out with an understanding of his divinity, through the most comprehensive Old Testament prophecies that we have. Isaiah was studied by scholars of old and theologians of today. But Jesus himself also quoted Isaiah when talking about the fulfillment of prophecy through his own life. Luke 4 Jesus went on the Sabbath to the synagogue and stood up to read. He was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah and he unrolled it and read this passage of scripture, 

The spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. 

Luke continues

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 

So even Jesus used the words of Isaiah to prove the authenticity of his messiahship. It was doctrine to the Jewish people, and even today we look to it in order to understand Jesus better. 

Ok, keep that in mind as we read Matthew 8:14-17

When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 

“He took up our infirmities

And bore our diseases.” 

Ok, Matthew here joins in with quoting Isaiah. This is a reference to the section we read at the beginning with Isaiah 53:4. 

Why is this significant? 

What did it say Jesus drove out spirits and healed with? Look back at vs. 16

When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 

With a what? 

A WORD. 

What does that man? 

Well the word ‘word’ here in the original Greek is Logos. In this context, the word Logos means, sound teaching, doctrine.

This is why Matthew quotes from Isaiah here. He believed it to be sound teaching, or doctrine, that Jesus would heal. He has the authority and power to heal, and it is his desire and mission to heal. Not just spiritually. Though this is the most significant part of our healing, Jesus also came to bear our sicknesses. So he brought his theological teaching against the impure spirits and sicknesses. 

The point, 

Jesus desires to heal our physical bodies. This isn’t just a spiritual endeavor. He desires wholeness for our bodies as well. So he was able to come in and simply lay a hand on Peter’s mother-in-law, and  he spoke the word of life over the impure spirits and the sick.

This is something that he desires in each of us today. 

Jesus wants you physical healing, and he wants you to carry the power to see others healed as well. Not only that, Jesus came to fulfill every single word of prophecy that was spoken about him. He has fulfilled over 2/3s of the prophecies already spoken, and he will fulfill the rest one day when he comes back in the end. 

So you can trust him! 

Wrestle with that a little. Find out what things Isaiah says about Jesus, and begin to believe that he will do those things! Jesus came not just as a spiritual being, but as an answer to a theological understanding. He can be trusted, and he will fulfill his promises. 

Here is a quick practice for today. 

What things do you doubt about Jesus? What things do you wonder if he will really do? 

Begin to write those things out. Yes, Journal. Because as he answers them, you will be able to check them off your list, and you will build your faith. And as you do, you will understand what you believe and why you believe it to be true. But until tomorrow, I love you, and may God bless you!