New Testament Reinforcements
You might say, “I’m not sure I accept your rendering of Isaiah 53.” But you cannot argue with Matthew, Peter and the Holy Spirit. Both of these New Testament Jews, inspired by the Holy Spirit, quote Isaiah 53:4–5.
First let’s look at Matthew 8:16 and the beginning of the public healing ministry of Jesus:
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 . . .
Note that in the healing ministry of Jesus, there is no hard and fast distinction between healing the sick and casting out evil spirits. All the way through His ministry, they go hand in hand. Why did Jesus minister like this? Verse 17 tells us:
. . . that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.”
Notice that the meaning of Isaiah 53:4–5, which Matthew is quoting, is totally physical, since he refers to infirmities and sicknesses. Furthermore its outworking is physical: Matthew says Jesus healed all who came to Him. Not some, but all. Every one! There is no question, then, that Matthew gives Isaiah 53:4–5 a totally physical application.
Just one more point from this Matthew passage. The emphasis in the phrase He Himself is on Jesus, not us. When you struggle with sin or sickness or depression or rejection or fear, the Bible says to look away from yourself. The answer is not in you. Turn your eyes to Jesus. “He Himself ” is the answer.
A second New Testament passage also quotes Isaiah 53:4–5. It, too, speaks about Jesus,
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 [again, wounds] you were healed.
1 Peter 2:24
Notice, again, that Peter’s emphasis is on Jesus Himself.
Throughout these passages sin is the central issue. When sin is dealt with, everything else can be taken care of.
Finally notice the verb tense—not will be healed, not even are healed, but were healed. As far as God is concerned, it is already done. When Jesus said, “It is finished!” ( John 19:30), it was finished. On God’s side nothing will ever change it, nothing has to be added to it and nothing can be taken from it. Recall the prophetic word I received through the woman from Oklahoma before God gave me healing: “Consider the work of Calvary: a perfect work, perfect in every respect, perfect in every aspect.” The physical aspect is just as perfect as any other.
Derek Prince, Bought with Blood: The Divine Exchange at the Cross (Grand Rapids, MI: Chosen, 2007).
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