Looking Forward, Looking Back, Receiving Now
Isaiah 53 is a redemptive chapter, describing how Christ would pay for our salvation, forgiveness of sins, the healing of our bodies, and every other need. It talks about complete redemption for the whole man and his needs.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)
This verse is a prophecy of what the Messiah would do, including physical healing. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be our Redeemer and Healer. Isaiah was speaking forth future events.
When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. Matthew 8:16-17 (KJV)
This passage shows Jesus acting out, in part, the prophecy of Isaiah and others. Jesus stood in faith on the verses that were written about Him in order to fulfill them. He found Himself in the Scriptures and by faith, He acted them out. As He stood on Isaiah 53:5 and other verses, He healed the sick, setting man free from illness, physical pain and demonic oppression.
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. I Peter 2:24 (KJV)
This verse shows what Jesus has done for us as a fulfilled fact, something that has already been accomplished. Peter is looking back and telling us what Jesus has already provided. From this viewpoint, we see salvation and healing as a done deal.
Isaiah looked into the future and prophesied of what Jesus would do. Jesus looked back at the prophecies and did what was written about Him. Peter looked back at what Isaiah prophesied and what Jesus did and showed it as a finished work that we can receive. We can use all three of these to stand in faith for our healing.
As we read Isaiah’s prophecy, we know what was written and proclaimed so we can mix our faith with it to prophesy and proclaim our healing and deliverance in every area of our lives. As we read in Matthew, Chapter 8, of what Jesus did in His earthly ministry, we know He does it for us as well. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Therefore, what He did then, He will do now. Redemption is a forever-settled issue that has been paid in full by Christ’s sacrifice and shed blood. Jesus still heals today for all who believe and claim the promises and the complete, finished works of Jesus Christ. In addition, as Jesus acted out the prophecy of Isaiah to fulfill it, we can act out the fulfilled prophecy by doing the same things Jesus did in His earthly ministry to receive healing and to impart it to others. When we read in I Peter that Christ died for us and has provided healing, we can have faith to receive what is already ours. It tells us that we were healed so we just need to receive it to make it a reality in our lives.
Isaiah looked forward and prophesied of the future and of the healing Jesus would provide. Then, Jesus looked back and acted out this prophecy in His earthly ministry. Then, Peter looked back at the cross and established what Jesus purchased for us, including healing of the physical body. And we presently have the healing Jesus paid for. That’s healing- looking forward, looking back, and receiving now.
