Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Daily DevotionalSample

His Hurt, Our Healing About 700 years before the birth of Jesus, God gave the Prophet Isaiah an oracle concerning the cross. It graphically details the suffering the Christ would endure as He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. But Isaiah's prophecy doesn't end there. It goes on to predict that people would also be healed by His stripes. Two things need to be noted here. First, the "stripes" refer to the scourging that Jesus would endure before going to the cross. Although this technically took place prior to the crucifixion process, it's still an aspect of His sacrifice. Second, the Hebrew word here for "healed" speaks of touching something that's wounded or injured in such a way that it is restored to full health and wholeness. This shows us that the cross, among a myriad of other things, is a source of healing. Scripture shows us that this healing occurs in two different stages. Physically, Matthew 8:17 connects Isaiah's prophecy with the healings that Jesus performed during His earthly ministry. But it's the Apostle Peter who makes the spiritual connection between this prophecy and the healing that occurs in the hearts of those who place their faith in what Jesus has done for them: [He] Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. (1 Peter 2:24 NKJV) In Exodus 15:26, God revealed Himself to His people as "the LORD who heals." He's into making us spiritually healthy and whole, and His healing touch upon our hearts was never demonstrated more perfectly or powerfully than by the cross. The cross, among a myriad of other things, is a source of physical and spiritual healing. Think about it... What does this passage reveal to me about God? What does this passage reveal to me about myself? Based on this, what changes do I need to make? What is my prayer for today?