Say, what do you think are more important – physical things, or spiritual things? Well, physical things are only temporary; and spiritual things last forever! Maybe that will give you a clue.
There is a wonderful phrase in Isaiah 53:5 that fills us with hope: “…by whose stripes we are healed.” Now the faith-healing movement uses that phrase to promote their healing ministry. But in the context, the application is primarily to our spiritual healing. The rest of the verse says, “But he was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace fell upon Him; and by His stripes we are healed.” Did you notice that it is our transgressions, iniquities, and chastisement that are at stake? It is from all of these that we are healed.
The word “healed” is the Hebrew word raphah, which means “to bind (a wound); to heal; to cure; to restore.” It’s a word that is used for physical healing, but also for spiritual healing, depending on the context.
When Peter quoted this verse in 1 Peter 2:24, it was in the context of Christ bearing our sin. He said, speaking of Jesus: “And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross…for by His wounds (or stripes) you were healed.”
Today there is a clamor for physical healing…an obsession that has all but obliterated the impact of the incredible and overwhelming nature of our spiritual healing. As we enter into the glories of eternity, physical healing will appear as nothing in the glorious light of being healed spiritually – forever!
Say – God may heal us physically, too. But that’s nothing compared to spiritual healing.