Pleading the Blood?

Stever responds:

Scriptural Grounds for Pleading the Blood of Jesus

There are some Christians and denominations that attack this form of prayer. They ask where in Scripture is there proof that we can use this kind of prayer for either protection or deliverance when we really need it. There was no evidence that the early apostles ever pled the blood to heal, to cast out demons or to get God’s basic protection on them.

I believe that there are three things contained in the Blood of Jesus – forgiveness, deliverance and protection. Most Christians only know about the first one – forgiveness. They have no idea that there are two other things available to them that will enable them to live a victorious and overcoming life in Jesus while still living down here on this earth. I will briefly discuss each of these three things.

1. Forgiveness
As Christians, we all know that there is definitely forgiveness in the Blood of Jesus. This is the basic central message of true Christianity – that God the Father sent His one and only begotten Son Jesus Christ down to our earth in the flesh to physically die on a cross in order to give us total and permanent forgiveness for all of our sins.

Without Jesus dying and shedding His blood on that cross – there would be no forgiveness and no remission of any of our sins. Here are some extremely powerful verses from Scripture specifically telling us this:

"For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (Matthew 26:28)

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7)

"But now in Christ Jesus you who were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ." (Ephesians 2:13)

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood ... for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul." (Leviticus 17:11)

Notice the emphasis on the word "blood" in those verses. There is no question that in these verses and others in the Bible that the blood that Jesus shed on the cross, which caused His physical death, is what leads to our salvation, the forgiveness of all of our sins and entrance into heaven when we die and cross over.

2. Deliverance

Now what then are the Scriptural grounds that will give us the legal right to be able to use His Blood when taking on any attacks that may come our way? As you will see in the following testimonies – you can Plead the Blood of Jesus against specific types of attacks such as attacks from demons, any kind of physical disease or illness, any kind of addictions to drugs or alcohol, etc.

Many Christians are not aware of this second component that is in the Blood of Jesus which entitles us to be able to use His Blood to go on the offensive against any adversity that may come our way.

Something else happened that day when Jesus died on the cross for all of our sins. The Bible tells us that Jesus also defeated Satan and all of the powers of darkness that day! Here are some specific Scripture verses proving this point for you:

"… that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (Hebrews 2:14)

"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13)

"Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:15)

"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8)

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." (Revelations 12:11)

What defeated Satan and all the powers of him and his demons? The physical death of Jesus on the cross. And what did Jesus do when He died that day on the cross for us? He shed His Blood!

That is why Pleading the Blood of Jesus works so well in real life combat situations when it really is needed to defeat attacks that come against us from the dark side.

Many Christians are not aware of this fact about the Blood of Jesus – that the blood can also be used to engage with our enemies when they do try and launch an attack against us. I believe that all of the above Scripture verses definitely tell us that the blood that Jesus shed that day on the cross has totally defeated Satan and all of his dark powers.

The only thing remaining is for Christians to realize and grab a hold of this powerful truth and not to be afraid to use when they need it – especially when demons or other evil humans attempt to come against them with any unjust actions or attacks.

Here are four more powerful verses from Scripture showing that all Christians now have God’s power and anointing at their disposal to use when they need it against the dark side:

"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:19)

Notice in that verse we have God’s power over all the power of our enemies – not just against part of their powers. This means we have the ability to come out completely victorious in some of life's battles and struggles – but only if we learn how to use what is available to us.

"Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." (Luke 9:1)

Notice in this verse that Jesus gives the twelve apostles power over all demons – not just some of them. If we have God’s power available to us to defeat all demons – then I believe that we also have God’s power to defeat any and all humans that may try to come against us with any type of unjust action or attack.

"... but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits." (Daniel 11:32)

"Knowing their God" means that we have spent quality time in establishing a personal intimate relationship with God. If we do that, then this verse is telling us that God will strengthen and empower us when we need His power to be able to carry out great exploits and great adventures for Him.

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." (2 Chronicles 16:9)

This verse is telling us that God is actually looking for people that He can anoint with His power – but the implication appears to be that He really cannot find too many people who are willing to pay the price to be able to really walk with His anointing.

As you can see from the way all of the above verses are worded out, true Christianity is not a weak, wimpy or passive religion. As born-again believers, we all have the Holy Spirit literally living and dwelling on the inside of us. As a result of our bodies now becoming the temple in which He now lives in, His supernatural power is available to all of us in order to help us handle some of the storm clouds that this life can throw at us.

Learning how to properly Plead the Blood of Jesus for any deliverance or protection that you may need is just one part of your arsenal. I will be doing other articles in the future covering some of the other aspects on this part of our walk with the Lord.

3. Protection

As you will see in the next section, you can also Plead the Blood of Jesus on specific things like your body, your house, your car, your finances, etc. The goal is to Plead the Blood on those things in order to protect you before any kind of adversity should come your way.

If the above verses are showing us that we can Plead the Blood of Jesus on attacks that may have already come our way when we need God’s deliverance and/or healing power to get us out of a dire predicament – then I believe it only stands to reason that we can also go one step further with the Blood of Jesus – and that is to use it for protection before any actual attacks could come our way.

In this case – you simply Plead the Blood of Jesus on whatever you want God’s full protection on before any attacks could possibly come your way.

I believe that there is also something else in the Bible that gives us another clue that entitles us to be able to Plead the Blood for this specific purpose. In the Old Testament, God the Father had it arranged with His chosen people – the Jews – that in order for them to be able to enter into a covenant relationship with Him – they had to have some kind of "temporary covering" for their sins. Jesus had not come yet – so there was no full remission for any sins that had occurred back at that time

What God the Father had set up was the sacrifice of blemish free animals such as bulls, goats and lambs. Their blood had to be shed once per year on what was called the day of atonement. The shedding of these animals’ blood was what gave the Jewish people a "temporary covering" for their sins so as to enable them to enter into a covenant relationship with God the Father.

That is why Jesus is called the "Lamb of God." He is an extension of the lambs used by His Father in the Old Testament to give the Jewish people the temporary covering for their sins. Once Jesus had shed His own blood on the cross – there was no more need for any more animal sacrifices. His death on the cross had completed and fulfilled what His Father started in the Old Testament with the sacrifice of these animals.

Now watch this analogy. In the shedding of the lamb’s blood on the day of atonement – there was temporary forgiveness for the sins of the Jewish people. Then Jesus comes in the New Testament and the shedding of His blood now gives all believers complete and total forgiveness for all of their sins.

Now here is where I feel that something else occurred back in the Old Testament that may entitle us to be able to use the Blood of Jesus for protection. In the story of the Passover, God had sent His servant Moses to rescue the children of Israel out from underneath their bondage and captivity to the Egyptians. God had thrown ten whopper plagues at the Pharaoh in an effort to get him to release His people from his rule.

On one of those plagues – God tells Pharaoh that He is going to allow an angel of death to come through their camp to kill all of their firstborn children. However, before God sets all of this up to occur – He tells His people to shed the blood of a blemish free lamb and to put that shed blood on the doorposts and lintels of their houses.

God tells His people that the angel of death will bypass their house if he sees this shed blood put on their doorposts and lintels. This angel of death will thus not kill any of the Israelites’ firstborn – but only if he sees the blood properly applied to the doorposts and lintels of their houses.

In other words, the blood of this blemish free lamb was being used for protection before this attack would come their way. Had each person not properly applied the blood on their doorposts – their firstborn children would have been killed along with the rest of the firstborn of the Egyptians.

Here is my argument on this. If the shed blood of the Old Testament lambs used for the temporary forgiveness and covering of sins eventually leads to the shedding of Jesus’ blood for permanent and total forgiveness of all of our sins – can we also use that same analogy and say that the shed blood of the lamb used in the Passover for protection could also lead to the shed Blood of Jesus having protection in it?

I personally believe that the answer is yes, and that is why God the Father seems willing to honor any believer who will plead the blood on whatever he wants protection on before any attack can come their way – just like He did in the story of the Passover with His own chosen people.

Before I go into the specifics on how to Plead the Blood of Jesus – there is one more area that each Christian must make a decision on before God will give you His full protection.

Saved and Surrendered
In order to be able to Plead the Blood of Jesus for any kind of deliverance or protection that you may need – there are two requirements that must be met.

1. Saved
You must be a saved and born again Christian. A non-believer cannot use the blood of Jesus. In the story of the Passover – only God’s chosen people were allowed to apply the blood of the lamb on their doorposts to get His full protection on them.

It is the same in the New Testament. Only born again Christian believers can use the blood of Jesus. For those of you who are not saved and born again – there will be other articles on our site on what it means to become saved and exactly how to get saved if you decide that you want to turn from the kind of life that you have been living.

2. The Full Surrender
For those of you who are already saved, there is now one more thing that you will all have to do to really get God’s best to start to flow into your life – which will include getting His maximum protection on you and your life. And that is to be willing to make a full and complete surrender of your entire life over to God the Father.

You have to get both saved and surrendered in order to really be able to step from the dugout out on to the real playing field where the real walk with the Lord is at. God is wanting you to surrender four specific things to Him:

Your body
Your soul
Your spirit
Your entire life
The Bible tells us that we have three parts to our beings – body, soul and spirit. God wants all three parts of our being completely surrendered over to Him. The fourth thing that God will also want from you is for you to fully surrender your entire life over to Him. When I say entire life – I mean everything in your life.

If you are single – God will be choosing who your mate will be. He knows who is best for you – you do not. God will be choosing what your call or calls will be in Him as He knows what your true potential and capabilities are – you do not.

The Bible tells us that with the measure we use – will be the measure measured back to us. In other words, if you want God’s best to flow into your life – then you have to give Him your best – and your best is a complete and full surrender of everything in your life over to Him. It’s "your all" for "His all."

This right here is where many Christians are missing the boat with God. They are saved, but they are not walking in this full surrender with God the Father. As a result, God is not working full force in their lives. The only way to get God to start working full force in your life is to come under a complete and full surrender with Him.

Bottom line – God’s knowledge and wisdom is perfect – yours is not! God can see into the future and knows exactly what is going to happen – you cannot. God knows you better than you can ever know yourself and as a result, He knows what your true potential and capabilities are – you do not.

Our powers are limited – but God’s powers are not. The Bible tells us that God is all-powerful and that there is nothing that He cannot do. Nothing is impossible with God. Our faith is focused on Him, and Him alone. Even though our faith is nothing more than the size of a mustard seed, as long as it is focused on HIM and HIS power to do anything, we have all of the faith we need.

God bless,

Stever :-D

This is a great question. I have read a book on this subject of the blood and I believe Andrew Murray touches on this exact question of "pleading" the blood if I remember correctly. You can read the book online here:

[b]The Power of the Blood of Jesus by Andrew Murray[/b]
http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/murray/5f00.0572/5f00.0572.c.htm

Stever's response:

Everyone has their own opinion about this. God is the one that knows our hearts. For years, when I was praying for salvation for loved ones and friends, I always asked that God would soften their hearts, open their eyes, and draw them to Him.

God answered my prayers, without ever letting me know that He provides a "New Heart", and that my prayer should have been for a "New Heart", and not a "soft Heart".

Pleading the blood is nothing more than another quiver that we have in our arsenal.

Some feel comfortable with it, and others do not. I am one who does feel comfortable with it and uses it often.

God bless,

Stever :-D

P.S. I wonder if it has anthing to do with Conservative and Liberal? Or--Baptized in the Holy Ghost (Spirit Filled) and Christian Brothers and Sisters that are not????

Stever wrote:Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scriptural Grounds for Pleading the Blood of Jesus

There are some Christians and denominations that attack this form of prayer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

philologos wrote:Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No it is not scriptural and there are no scriptural examples. It is part of a pentecostal/charismatic notion that key words can automatically create protection. It is more in the nature of a magical incantation than a biblical pattern.

Spirit of faith, come down, reveal the things of God,
And make to us the Godhead known, and witness with the blood.
’Tis Thine the blood to apply and give us eyes to see,
Who did for every sinner die hath surely died for me.

No man can truly say that Jesus is the Lord,
Unless Thou take the veil away and breathe the living Word.
Then, only then, we feel our interest in His blood,
And cry with joy unspeakable, “Thou art my Lord, my God!”

O that the world might know the all atoning Lamb!
Spirit of faith, descend and show the virtue of His Name;
The grace which all may find, the saving power, impart,
And testify to all mankind, and speak in every heart.

[i]Charles Wesley[/i]

This is a testimony; I don't claim it as [i]theology[/i].

Part of my childhood was in Africa, in an area where the gospel had been taken to oppose juju worship, in which sacrifices - say, a chicken, and its blood - were (are) left at little shrines, often under trees.

God gave me a dream, once (when I was still quite young), in which I knew that He was my God, and the gods amongst whom I had lived, had no power over me. Later in life, though, I was attacked spiritually (This has happened more than once.) and the only way I could break through (out of), the effect it had on me, was by the sense I was able to make of the meaning of the death of Christ, as the Lamb of God.

THIS (the death of Jesus Christ) is the sacrifice to end all sacrifices. THIS is the sacrifice which breaks the power of any other spiritual bond which is evil, or unholy, or Satanic, or through the willing practice of sin. It is [i]this[/i] blood, applied to the stains on our souls, which is able to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This is what the hymn which sings of the power in the blood, is about.

I agree that it is not a 'magic' formula which can be applied verbally without engaging with God, but, [i][b]understanding[/i][/b] the full scope of what Jesus was doing on the cross, is an essential part of victorious living in Christ. We have victory over sin because the Father sees His Son in us, and if we are walking in the light as He is in the light... 1 John 1:7.

So, to me, it has been most meaningful to mention the blood when I pray, not only for myself, but, in other situations. Personally, I believe it is part of the language which is understood by principalities and powers, and I have no trouble exercising my faith towards God, in the knowledge that He is the one who ordained that blood should be shed, for the cleansing of souls. The sacrifices under the Old Covenant, also had to do with first the Passover by the angel of death, and later, the consecration of places - the land, the temple, the nation.

It is important to KNOW that one has been cleansed from all unrighteousness, or, one can easily be taken over by the thought that [i]oneself[/i] is responsible for the spiritual opposition one faces.... but this would be misapprehension of what's going on - unless one is [i]knowingly[/i] harbouring a part of one's life to which the Lord has never been consciously invited. Then it may well continue to be troublesome, until one has capitulated to Him. By capitulating, I don't necessarily mean repenting. There are other needs which can interfere with our wholeness in God, which He can fix, if we ask Him to.

Stever said:

the blood that Jesus shed on the cross, which [b]caused[/b] His physical death,

Also, when His side was pierced with the spear, blood and water came out [i]after[/i] He had died. I realise this could be a red herring to this disucssion, but, just wanted to state your assertion is not supported by scripture. This is not to detract from the efficacy of His death, in which there was indeed shedding of blood.

Stever posts again on this issue:

When I pray for a sick person, after I have anointed them with oil and lay hands on them---many times I pray the promises in God's Word.

During my prayer, I will mention the promise--"John, as it says in God's Word, by his stripes we are healed, tonight we claim this promise found in God's Word for you. By Jesus's stripes you, John, are healed, from the top of your head to the tips of your toes, you are fully healed and restored. We thank you Father for your healing of John tonight, in advance, and we bless you for it, and praise your Holy Name.

Thank you Lord, in Jesus Name, the Name above all names, Amen".

1 Peter 2:24
" 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."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

God bless,

Stever :-D

P.S. There is no "magic" or any other kind of thing like that involved with this type of prayer. As Spirit filled, born again believers, we have access to the throne room of heaven, and the Holy Spirit is the one that empowers us to pray with boldness for the sick and dying. We have also been empowered with the power of attorney to use the Name, the Name above all names to use when we pray, the Name of Jesus Christ.

Our belief is in His (God's) power to do anything. It has nothing to do with our own puny faith. If we include God's promises, from His Word, it sometimes provides understanding to the one we are praying for with the smallest amount of faith (that of a mustard seed) of the power that God really has, the God that we are talking to and praying to that keeps all of our prayers in heaven, in golden vials, forever!

Rev 5:8
" 8. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints."

Stever responds:

Various verses that testify to the power of the blood. In the Old Testament it offered a protection, a covering for sin. The entire time, over 1,500 years all of these sacrifices of animals was only a picture of the one time sacrifice of God Himself, on the Cross, for our sins.

Exodus 12:17
7.\tAnd they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

Exodus 12:13

11.\tAnd the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

Leviticus 17:11
12.\tFor the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

New Testament references to the power of Christ’s blood in the life of the believer:

1 John 6:7

7.\tBut if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Hebrews 9:6-14

6. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
7. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
8. The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
9. Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
10. Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
11. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
13. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 13:20
20.\tNow the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Hebrews 13:20 (Amplified Bible)
20.\tNow may the God of peace [who is the author and giver of peace], who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament). [Isaiah 55:3; 63:11; Ezekiel 37:26; Zech 9:11].

God bless,

Stever :-D

i wonder if sometimes such prayer for healing are not answered immediately because even while the idea is noble, the intent is not to glorify God,

Am I naive? Does God heal under these circumstances? My faith doesn't stretch to praying for healing on the off-chance God will hear me. I know Him. I don't want to offer to pray unless I sense the Holy Spirit's prompting, also bringing the necessary faith for that circumstance.

the matter of being healed in body is contingent on faith and obedience to God's instruction in response to a petition for such.

In general, I don't think of healing as dependent on anything except the faith of the Son of God, Whose Word is Life; Who is Life.

Stever responds to Ironman:

If I am praying “improperly” by claiming the promise that all sickness is/was healed by the stripes of Jesus Christ, then the following sicknesses, that were healed by prayer, given by my wife and myself to the Lord, tell an entirely different story:

1.Necrotizing Pancreatitis in a 60 year friend that I went to College with many years ago. The "healing" that has his doctors shaking their heads to this day, 4 years later.
2.Terminal brain cancer of a 6 year old boy
3.Healing of a knee with excruiating pain that had taken place over a 2 year period---that was scheduled for a 2nd surgery 3 days later (the surgry never had to take place). It was healed the very next day.

There are many other healings, all performed by Christ through the power of prayer, by: 1) the anointing of oil, 2) laying on of hands, 3) and claiming the promise found in 1 Peter 2:24 in specific intercessory prayer for each person that states by his stripes we are healed!

“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.”

Also, in Isaiah 55:5 “ 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.”

There is a lot of misunderstanding in the body of Christ in regards to Christ’s work on the cross, and in His death and resurrection from the dead. Hopefully, the following will shed light on this issue for all those who are interested. The power of the blood is awesome, and removes the blot of sin, as well as cures the sickness from the lives of believers in Jesus Christ:

“BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED”

BRUCE R. REICHENBACH*

I. SICKNESS AND SIN IN SCRIPTURE
Old Testament thought frequently links sickness, suering and sin. Humans freely sin, and sin leads to punishment, which culminates appropriately in suffering. In the Genesis story of the fall the writer traces both the excruciating pain of childbearing and the man’s painful toil in tilling the soil for a living to human disobedience of God’s command regarding the central tree of the Garden (Gen 3:16–19). God punishes Miriam with leprosy when she complains about Moses’ recent marriage and his failure to share power (Num12:1–16), while those who gave a false report about Canaan die from a plague (14:33–38). Elisha’s servant Gehazi greedily pursues Naaman’s of payment for services rendered and is punished with leprosy (2 Kgs 5:20–27). Elijah instructs Jehoram that because of his idolatry and murder of his brothers he will suer a “lingering disease of the bowels, until the disease causes your bowels to come out” (2 Chr 21:12–16).

The Levitical instructions regarding the oering for atonement provide hints of the broad extent to which ancient Israel viewed the connection between illness and sin. Not only did serious sins and unintentional sins demand atonement; it also was required for certain illnesses that made a person unclean—such as infectious skin diseases or unusual bodily discharges, as when a woman’s menstrual period lasted longer than normal but that were not considered results of sin. After certifcation as clean, the healed were to request the priest to make a sin offering on their behalf.

This perceived connection of sickness and sin continues into the New Testament. Jesus tells the leper whom he heals to offer the atonement offering (Matt 8:4), and he commands the healed paralytic, who likewise went to the temple to offer the atonement offering, to “stop sinning or something worse may happen to you” (John 5:11). James, who holds that since some sickness results from sin, prayers of confession possess a concomitant healing power (Jas 5:13–16), makes the clearest connection.

At the same time it is unlikely that ancient Israel believed that every instance of pain, suffering, or dysfunction resulted from sin. Strong voices in both Testaments deny the universal linkage of suffering and sin. The book of Job stands as a monument to an opposing view. Though Job cannot understand the reason for his physical ills and suffering, he repeatedly resists his visitors’ contention that his suering results from his sin. He protests his innocence and calls on God as his witness. Jesus too denies the universal connection of serious sickness and sin. In their encounter with the blind beggar (John 9) Jesus’ disciples query whether it was this man’s sin or that of his parents that caused his blindness. Jesus rejects both options in favor of another reason. Even James, in his epistle, appears to reject a universal connection when he introduces the hypothetical “If he has sinned.”

The Levitical laws for atonement did not require a sin offering for every illness, boil or swelling but only for illnesses that were prolonged (and hence possibly contagious) or when a person abnormally emitted fluids like blood that could spread contagion. One might conjecture that atonement applied to those diseases that were viewed as threats to the general health and welfare of the community.

Given this, it is probably safe to say that in general the ancient Hebrews believed that serious illness was more than a physical phenomenon. It had moral and spiritual dimensions that made it appropriate to beseech the Almighty for deliverance (Ps 91:1–10).

Since a function of God was to heal the sick (Exod 15:26) the role of healer, found in surrounding cultures, did not form a significant part of OT Hebrew culture (though this apparently changes in the Greek period). Priests provided diagnostics and administered purication laws and rituals but were not considered healers. Sin not only leads to illness but also can result in death. David’s adultery with Bathsheba led to the illness and death of the child born from their union (2 Sam 12:15–18). In the NT Paul traces the entry of death into the world through the sin of the first human (Rom 5:12–17). The wages of sin are death, Paul claims (6:23). The linkage between sin, sickness, suering and death forms a background motif for Isaiah in the Servant song of chaps. 52–53. For him there is no difficulty in moving between the two in prophetic poetic parallelism.

II. SICKNESS, SUFFERING AND SIN IN THE AGE OF MEDICINE

The modern age greatly resists this linkage. Medical practitioners generally are not trained in the spiritual arts of healing. They rely on the physiological staples of drug therapy and surgery. Media accounts of horror stories where reliance on faith healing, though based on sincere religious conviction, leads to disastrous consequences bolster the correctness of this approach.

Yet the recent emphasis on holistic health therapy seeks to restore some measure of balance between the spiritual and physical dimensions of healing. It recognizes that many factors, including those beyond what can be treated with drugs or surgery, aect a person’s health. Healing, in part, comes from within oneself rather than without. One’s emotional state, family and social relations, and personal outlook on life can significantly influence one’s health. The role of placebos here is informative. One study suggests that “in general, a placebo is between 30% and 60% as effective as the active medication with which it is compared, regardless of the power of the medication.”

Whether or not this figure is wholly accurate it indicates that the psychological plays an important if not often a crucial role in the origin and treatment of illness. Similar things confirming the links between the psychological and the physiological can be suggested for certain dispositional traits. For example, anxiety or worry produces diverse physiological symptoms from rashes and hives to asthmatic attacks. Persons with type-A personality characteristics, who are aggressive and competitive, have higher productions of adrenaline and cortisone, which can lead to arteriosclerosis. Similarly it would seem that states of character—virtues or the lack thereof—might likewise be linked with emotional and physical health. Treating humans merely physiologically is inadequate, and treating human illness merely psychologically or spiritually is irresponsible. As with our argument in the previous section, the truth lies in the middle. Possessing both spiritual and physical dimensions, human illness must be addressed using appropriate measures from both directions.

The linkage, then, between sin and sickness should not be easily dismissed. While it would be perverse to assess the moral character of individuals based on their suerings, it would be naïve to think that sin never brings painful consequences for the perpetrator or that immorality in a person’s act or character might not underlie illness. Treatment of such an illness might begin by addressing the spiritual dimension of the ill.

HEALING IN THE Old TESTAMENT
We have seen that ancient Hebraic thought sees serious human sickness and suffering, even death itself, connected with sin. We might say that the human predicament includes both sin and suffering. What we seek is a cure for both the symptom (illness) and its cause (sin).

The Levitical sacrificial system did not provide healing for persons afflicted with infectious diseases (Leviticus 13). When diseased, persons were brought to the priest for examination. After sequential periods of isolation, if upon further inspection the ill continued to show signs of an infectious disease they were removed outside the camp until they were healed. If eventually the diseased thought healing had occurred, the priest was summoned to so certify. The priest when he visited the ill did not bring healing but only a certification that healing had occurred. If the diseased were healed they were then invited back into the camp, whereupon the priest atoned on their behalf by presenting the sin and the guilt offerings. The atonement provided forgiveness for the sin that occasioned the disease, thus allowing the person again to participate in communal life and its relationship with God. But though sacrifice atoned for the sin on behalf of the person now certified as healed, that sacrifice did not cure the ailment. The sacrificial system left the human predicament of sickness and death untouched. Humans need healing, which can extend beyond physical and mental symptoms, for as we have seen, serious sickness can have deeper roots. For healing to occur it often must assume a deeper, spiritual dimension. Though the word “atonement” is not mentioned in Isaiah 53, the concept underlies the passage. The Servant comes to address the human predicament in a way not before fully envisioned.

Since the Servant appears not to come from the Levitical tree, his mission extends far beyond mere certification of cleanness. The Servant takes on the role of healer or physician in its radical and culturally relevant dimensions. The writer of Isaiah 53 describes humans as a˙icted with infirmities and pains. On one interpretation of the historical context of the passage the sufferers are the Israelites captive in Babylon. As unclean sinners they have been driven from the camp (Jerusalem) because of their sickness. Since they cannot cure themselves they need a deliverer, the Servant, who removes their illnesses to end their exile and restore them to their home, community and temple (the dwelling of Yahweh).

In a more particularized and less politicized sense, individual humans are sinners. The Servant is not like the priests, who merely certify uncleanness and cleanness. He actually bears the sins of those who have sinned, are afflicted, and cannot find a cure. The Servant in this atonement role assumes the infirmities and sins and thereby elects a cure for the human predicament through his own suffering and death. He is a “man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering,” stricken, smitten and afflicted, pierced and crushed, wounded and finally killed. Atonement comes through another’s suffering and death.

The drama portrays more than a temporary reprieve. The self-sacrifice has finality. It is curative and finally restorative. In a way that the priests and their sacrifices could not accomplish, the Servant heals through his suffering, death and intercession. He is the Great Physician.

Indeed, Matthew quotes this passage in this very light. He understands Jesus’ healing of the sick who come to him in droves as fulfilling the Servant passage (Matt 8:16–17).

Jesus comes as the promised healer of his people, one who can heal by forgiving sins (9:1–8). To the paralytic lowered through the roof Jesus says, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” When questioned whether what he said was appropriate, Jesus notes: “Which is easier: to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?” Then to show he had the power to forgive sins he commanded the paralytic to get up and go home. For Matthew, Jesus carries out the dual healing ministry prophesied by Isaiah.
xxxxxxxxxx

Hope this makes it clear for all of those that made it this far.

God bless,

Stever :-D

well i'm reminded of the time in Nazareth wherein Christ could do no miracle because the people there had no faith. or do we consider healing and miracles separate things? either way, if even He being of perfect faith couldn't do anything there, that speaks to the working of miracles also being dependant in some measure on our own faith. yet at the same time Christ's own faith is required. or maybe you mean we ought to have Christ's Faith rather than a faith from ourselves?

Thanks for these challenging questions. I have never thought about the lack of faith which prevented Jesus from doing healings and miracles, because there those who present themselves for prayer for healing are demonstrating a measure of faith and openness to receive, simply by coming forward. But, it is a valid point, that Jesus Himself would not [u]force[/u] healing and miracles upon an unwilling population. We should take this to heart in our own ministries.

I've not given deep thought to the difference between a healing and a miracle, but I know some people believe healing is a speeding up of a natural process, whereas a miracle requires something new to be created to complete the transformation. I'm not sure it makes much difference if the prayer of faith is being offered in the right attitude towards God. It is HE who does whatever is needed. Our faith in His faith brings me (us) to the point of asking Him.

Recently, I've seen that it is His life which heals. He was raised from the dead by His Father. Before He died though, He said 'I am the Resurrection and the Life'. Yet, being dead, He could not raise Himself. That took faith that His Father would do it.

Probably, I should not say much more until I've thought some more. I know one thing, that the blood is for our cleansing. The life in the blood that He shed, was the life which was sacrificed for the remission of our sins.

Inasmuch as Christ had not died before He was able to give power to the disciples to heal and cast out demons, I feel there is something else at work through the Spirit, when we pray for healing. Yes, there may be a need for the confession of sin at the same time, but, I see the two as distinct, even though there may be a cause and effect sometimes.

I don't believe there is scriptural support for a mention of the blood when we pray for healing, although it is because of the blood that we can receive the Holy Spirit and be in a position to pray for healing.

The Lord showed me once, in a life-changing encounter, that He [u]is[/u] COMPASSION and it is this compassion that heals. Compassion seems to be a function of His love operating through us. But, Love is not Compassion only.... it is much more. Nevertheless, His compassion was what moved Him to heal when He was on earth. We need His compassion to move us, perhaps, before we can begin to feel the overwhelming desire He has for each person to be whole, and to minister this wholeness in His Name.

I do believe in calling on the Name of Jesus for everything I feel led to trust is in His will. But, as I said in an earlier post, that's more because I believe it is part of the language understood by principalities and powers, not because I think it is 'magic' in its application.

I use it because I believe myself to be 'in Jesus'. (Acts 19) I believe God answers those He recognises in His Son. This is [i]my[/i] faith.