In the first article in this series on healing, I showed how Isaiah 53 is the foundation of healing in the Old Testament. Four Hebrew words are very important to our having a proper understanding. The verbs that apply to how Jesus carried our sins also reveal that he carried our sickness and pain. If we believe he carried the former, we must conclude that he did the same for the latter. The logic is inescapable. The question this article addresses is whether there is any corroboration for this view in the New Testament.
The New Testament explains the Old in light of Jesus.
Jesus spent considerable time explaining to his disciples how he fulfilled Old Covenant scriptures.
Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:27 (NLT)
Jesus is the focus of the entire Bible. If we miss him in the Old Covenant, we have missed the point.
It is clear that Matthew understood the implications of Isaiah 53 regarding physical healing. He clearly stated that Jesus fulfilled Isaiah 53:4 when he healed people.
Now when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying down, sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and began to serve them. 16 When it was evening, many demon-possessed people were brought to him. He drove out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. 17 In this way what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet was fulfilled: “He took our weaknesses and carried our diseases.” Matthew 8:14-17 (NET1)
It is always instructive to see how the Bible interprets itself, as it does here.
Matthew leaves absolutely no room to doubt that Isaiah 53 addresses physical healing, no matter how later translators may skew the meaning because of their biases.
Let’s return to the New English translation to see how it honestly renders the passage from Isaiah.
But he lifted up our illnesses, he carried our pain; even though we thought he was being punished, attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done. 5 He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 (NET1)
Their notes reveal the following insight into their struggle to properly translate this passage.
17 sn Continuing to utilize the imagery of physical illness, the group acknowledges that the servant's willingness to carry their illnesses (v. 4) resulted in their being healed. Healing is a metaphor for forgiveness here.
Even these honest translators feel compelled to weaken the power of physical healing contained in these verses, but Matthew rescues us from this error. These verses cover all forms of healing, to be sure, including the physical aspect.
Peter also cites Isaiah 53 in his first letter.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (NET1)
Those who do not agree that physical healing is for today argue that Peter is here referencing a healing of the soul from the effects of sin and not physical healing.
Healing certainly applies to psychological and spiritual wounds, but it is not limited to them.
God did many signs and wonders through Peter, including remarkable healings. I am sure he understood that this power derived from what Christ suffered during his passion and death, just as did Matthew. They were students of the same teacher and were filled with the same Holy Spirit. God used them both to pen portions of our New Testament.
The Book of Acts reveals what the apostles believed through what they did. Actions speak louder than words. They believed that physical healing is available in Christ. So should we.
In conclusion, we owe a debt of gratitude to Matthew for clearing up this controversy of whether or not Isaiah 53 provides us with a doctrinal foundation for physical healing. Once we know where we stand, it should increase our faith that God still heals today.
