Prof. Mervyn T. Judge continues:
“This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, “He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases” (Matt. 8:17 NLT).
The prophecy of Isaiah says that Jesus took our sicknesses and removed our diseases. If Jesus took away our sicknesses when He took away our sins, then it is our duty to “claim” this “gift” from God, provided we have the necessary faith.
Faith is, therefore, the motivating force and NOT our own works or attainments in theological accomplishments.
Faith is the key that unlocks the door and claims what Christ accomplished for us, on Calvary, when He trod the path towards hell and then rose and ascended to heaven that we might have life and have it more abundantly – ‘freedom from sicknesses and disease’.
This father, of whom I have told you, will never again read the story of Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah without walking with him into the depths of his misery and then climbing with him into the heights of faith.
Nor will he ever forget the gracious promises at that time given to our father Abraham as a reward for his faith that through Abraham’s offspring, Jesus, all nations on earth would be blessed. (Gen. 22:16, 18; Gal. 3:16). Those who trust in Jesus are blessed with healing of the spirit and soul with peace, pardon, righteousness, eternal life and healing of the body.
Such tangible evidence of the almighty power of a loving God, as I have related, is the power He has placed in OUR HANDS.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12).
“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick” (Luke 9:1-2).”
Quotations from the NIV unless otherwise noted.
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