Isaiah 35:5-6 – Redemption: Healing
Should we look from Isaiah forward to the days of the gospel? We read here of the eyes of the blind opened, the ears of the deaf unstopped, the lame leaping like a deer, the tongue of the dumb singing. Think, for example, of John 9, with Jesus healing the man born blind. Think of Mark 7:31-37, with the man who is both deaf and mute being healed as Jesus put his fingers in his ears and said, ‘be opened.’ Think of His healing of the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda in John 5. And in fact, we remember that Jesus did far greater than this, for he raised some from the dead. This prophecy speaks of the time of the coming of Jesus Christ.
How we need such healing. We have problems, not just physical ones. We have some hearing problems, every one of us. We have some vision problems. Have you not used your eyes to gaze upon that which is desirable to you in a lustful or covetous way, making it an idol? And what about your ears? Have they not listened to the words of others telling you that something wrong is right? And your mouths, have they not uttered blasphemy at times? I spoke of Jesus raising others from the dead, and truly, spiritually, have you not been dead? We need this sort of healing.
You see, physical healing was done by Jesus, but physical healing alone was never Jesus’ aim. Physical healing will only do you any good for a while, even when done by Jesus Christ Himself. Physical healing alone will do nothing for eternal purposes. However, God in grace saves sinners. He delivers them from their spiritual death and all the effects of it. And He has told people to come to Him. Our Lord Jesus Himself has said to those who are weak, who are weary, who are burdened and crushed, ‘come to me.’ For, those who find true deliverance in Jesus, find that their eyes are now bright indeed. They hear the joyful sound (Psalm 89). They walk and run with the gospel of peace (Romans 10:14-15). And their mouths utter praise to their deliverer. And though they die, yet shall they live (1 Corinthians 2:6-9). This is ultimately the healing and the deliverance that is being looked to here.
Questions
- What does this prophecy point to?
- What kind of healing do we need?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for the spiritual healing we have in Christ.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.