The Bible, God’s Holy Word, states and restates that Christ’s suffering as God’s sacrificial Lamb at Pilate’s Judgment Hall, followed by His death, burial, resurrection and ascension provided the “Double Cure” for humanity’s sin and sickness problems. This fact is incontrovertible, if you believe the Bible is inerrant and infallible.
Isaiah 53: 5 says, “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.” This scripture shows the conjoining of Christ’s provision for our SINS and our SICKNESSES (“pains or diseases”). This truth depicting God’s concern for both our spiritual AND our physical wellbeing is stated again in Matthew 8:17 (“That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.”). We see it again being confirmed by the Holy Spirit in
1 Peter 2: 24 (“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”).
For yet a fourth verification of these phenomenal benefits of Christ’s crucifixion, we journey back to a prophecy in the Old Testament. The Psalmist David, looking ahead and seeing the redeeming work of the Messiah, stated emphatically in Psalms 103:2-4, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (key words underlined for emphasis by the author).
It is important to see that the Psalmist was instructing his readers not to forget all the benefits that would accrue from Calvary. This is critical for the believer to actively remember, lest we forget, all that Christ has accomplished for us. Here we are concentrating on the first two, which are salvation and healing. However, the passage lists others that are also of great significance to the child of God. Many times, we allow the circumstances to overwhelm us and we simply fail to remember the promises or the provisions Christ has purchased for us. No matter what is transpiring in your life, do not forget that we have the benefits of forgiveness and healing available upon request.
If it was God’s plan for Christ to provide forgiveness for all sins, and to equally provide healing for all diseases, then the conclusion must be drawn that Christ’s exclamation from the cross, “It is finished,” was, at least in part, referring to His dual mission assigned by His Father. The stripes had been administered to His back for our healing and His blood had been poured out as an offering for our sins according to the prophecy by Isaiah. What remained of Christ’s mission was to transpire over the next forty days culminating in His Ascension ten days before the Feast of Pentecost. After Calvary, there would be no more stripes and no more blood. The full redemptive price for our Double Cure had been “paid in full.” These are undeniable facts based upon the Word of God.
There are two additional scriptures making five and six that add further reinforcement to this principle of “The Double Cure.” As you continue to read in Isaiah 53, you see a remarkable statement in verse ten. It says that Christ would be “put to grief” (Hebrew: Strong’s Concordance 2470). This language is a little blind to us because it does not mean Jesus was going to become the sad figure He is depicted as in many paintings. The literal Hebrew says that Christ would be “MADE SICK, DISEASED, OR PUT TO PAIN” for us. If He truly was to be our substitute, He had to “carry our sicknesses and diseases” in His body prior to His crucifixion.
The other significant verse for consideration is found in 2 Corinthians 5:21. Here Paul states, “For he hath MADE HIM TO BE SIN for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Jesus, the Holy Lamb of God, sinless and pure, was forced by virtue of His substitutionary work on Calvary to carry the sins of the world. Paul and Isaiah each portray an aspect of the dual work of Christ’s redeeming sacrifice for mankind. Isaiah said He was made sick and Paul said He was made sin in order to provide the Double Cure of salvation and healing to a sinful and suffering world.
Perhaps it will help us grasp the reality of this “Double Cure Provision” if we make a chart. In one column, list all the sins you have repented of that have not been forgiven by Christ. Then, make another column listing any sicknesses, pains or diseases that still linger in your body. Just as you have addressed the “sin situation” through faith in His blood, now begin to address the “sickness situation” through faith in His stripes. It is God’s expressed desire that BOTH columns be empty with this seventh verse,
(3 John 2), “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth”).
I WILL NOT "PUT UP" WITH ANYTHING THAT CHRIST "PUT UNDER" HIS FEET FOR MY BENEFIT (Ephesians 1:22, “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.”).
| SIN COLUMN | SICKNESS COLUMN |
Author: Donald Frazier
| Author's Website: http://donfrazier.com
Written: 08/07/2008
| 
Category: Golden Nuggets
Comments: 5
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What an awesome, uplifting and inspiring article on the Double Cure you have brought to us! You have provided us with much spiritual food to ponder and absorb. Our God is such an awesome and great God for who He is, and all the great things He has done and provided for us!
Thank you for all you have shared in this article. I know I will be reading it time and again to take in all that you have expounded on here!
Many blessings to you!
Amazed in His presence and humbled by His great love!
“God makes everything happen at the right time.” (In His Time) Eccl. 3:11
When I was diagnosed as having fibromyalgia roughly a decade ago, I had never heard of the chronic, debilitating illness. In fact, I was first introduced to it by its alternate name, chronic fatigue syndrome. Indeed, I had been suffering from the illness for some time without knowing what was wrong with me.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever. Jesus Healed them All.
SoundMan
I HAD NEVER NOTICE IT THAT WAY. PRAISE THE LORD!I MUST PUT MY FAITH TO WORK ON THE HEALING OF MY ILLNESSES.
It is with great pleasure that I am able to count Dr. Frazier as a personal friend as well as my pastor from many years ago. His keen insight into scripture, both then and now, is a blessing in my life. Somehow, he captures nuances which have managed to escape me, but are oh, so relevant. This article is no exception. Thoughts expressed here are just what I need for today. Many thanks!
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