The Spiritual Man

(Martin Jones) #1

Sickness 687


is the relation between sin and sickness. Generally sickness results
from sin; and individually, too, it may result from sin.



  1. The Lord’s Work and Sickness


“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we
esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was
wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities”
(Is. 53.4-5). Of all the Old Testament writings this 53rd chapter of
Isaiah is quoted most often in the New Testament. It alludes to the
Lord Jesus Christ, especially to Him as our Savior. Verse 4 affirms
that “he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” whereas
Matthew 8.17 declares that “this was to fulfil what was spoken by the
prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases’.” The
Holy Spirit indicates here that the Lord Jesus came to the world to
take our infirmities and bear our diseases. Prior to His crucifixion He
had already taken our infirmities and borne our diseases; which is to
say that during His earthly ministry the Lord Jesus made healing His
burden and task. He not only preached, He also healed. He preached
the glad tidings on the one hand, but on the other hand strengthened
the weak, restored the withered hand, cleansed the leper and raised
the palsied. While on earth the Lord Jesus devoted Himself to the
performance of miracles as well as to the ministry of the Word. He
went about doing good, He healed the sick, and cast out demons. The
purpose of His work was to overthrow sickness, the result of sin. He
came to deal with death and sickness as well as with sin.


Psalm 103 is familiar to many of God’s children; I myself love to
read it. David proclaims, “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is
within me, bless his holy name!” Why bless the Lord? “Bless the
Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” What are His
benefits? “Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your
diseases.” (vv.1-3) I wish brothers and sisters to see that sickness is
coupled with two elements: death on the one side, sin on the other.

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