Christian Living

Healing for What?

by paul hoffmaster
05/18/26
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For years, I have witnessed people seeking physical healing.  I have heard of people who have traveled hundreds of miles to seek healing from evangelists who claim they have the Gift of Healing.  People pack auditoriums with a confident expectation that they will be healed if prayed over.  Prayer clothes are mailed and distributed to those who are unable to attend a Healing crusade.  Healing by Proxy, and if necessary, the rebuking of evil spirits, as well as prayers of agreement that are thrown Heavenward.  Special oils from the Holy Land are used to anoint the afflicted, and it goes on and on.  What is heartbreaking is seeing people’s hope crushed when there is no evidence of healing taking place.  Of course, the canned response is that the people are not healed because of their lack of Faith.  Healing is for today, but it must be based on correct Scriptural interpretation.  The “pilot” Scripture for those who believe in physical healing is Isaiah 53: 5 “…And by his stripes we are healed.”  This whole chapter is a Prophesy of what Jesus would do to save man from his rebellious ways. (Isaiah 53: 6a)

Through the Cross, the roadway to the Kingdom residency was opened to whosoever would accept Jesus’ finished work.  The Scriptures in Isaiah 53 point out the sacrificial road that Jesus would take.  He bore our grief’s, carried our sorrows, and was wounded for our transgressions.  He was bruised for our iniquities.  He took chastisement and stripes that we might experience peace and spiritual healing.  He was oppressed, afflicted, led to the slaughter, and silent before His tormentors.  He was imprisoned, judged, cut off from the living, and stricken.  It was God who poured out His judgment on His Son.  The reality of these prophesies would cause Jesus on the Cross to call out, “My God, My God why hath thou forsaken me.” (Matthew 27:46)

What happened on that hill overlooking Jerusalem was for man’s spiritual deliverance.  The Apostle Peter understood Isaiah by affirming that the sufferings Jesus went through were for man’s spiritual healing. “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 we are healed.” (I Peter 2:24) Jesus suffered, representing His identification with man.

Jesus used healing to attract the people’s attention to His ministry of reconciliation to God.  For some reason, we have carried Jesus’ miracle ministry into a ministry all by itself.  When we put our emphasis on the physical instead of the spiritual, we have lost God’s vision for the Church.  The angels rejoice over one person turning or returning to God. (Luke 15:10)

The Scripture states that if one is sick to call for the elders of the church, and they will conduct themselves according to the Word. (James 5: 14)  God can also heal through physicians and medicine.  Jesus said. “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick,” (Matthew 9; 12)

Our relationship with the Lord must always take precedence over our quest for physical healing.  I have seen people’s spiritual quests result in physical healing.  We need to reach out to the Lord spiritually (spirit), mentally (soul), and physically (body), for that is God’s order of ministry.