Dan Czaplewski posted on March 06, 2007 09:33
It is cold and flu season in South Florida. I’m doing my best not to get sick, but I can feel a cold trying to ruin my week. Most people I know get a cold or the flu about once a year. I know a few people who are lucky enough, or blessed enough, or smart enough to not get sick very often at all. Other people, either because of bad genes or lousy health habits, seem to be sick all the time.
When we get sick or run into other difficulties, we want an explanation. Maybe you got that cold because you didn’t wash your hands enough or you skipped breakfast or the person next to you in grocery store kept sneezing. Maybe you have endured a loss or hardship because you did something to deserve it.
I don’t think so!
Isaiah reminds us who now owns our sickness and sorrows: “He (Jesus) was wounded for our rebellious acts. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so that we could have peace, and we received healing from his wounds.” (Isaiah 53:5) We deserved to feel the full effects of our rebellious acts-our sins-but Jesus, the Suffering Servant, took ownership of them instead. If you are feeling bad either because of your physical health or your life circumstances, know that Christ has provided you peace and restoration.
For some of you this may be a bad day. For a few of you this may be a really bad day. You may not even know how you will get through it. God will get you through it; He has given you peace and He restores your soul. But more than getting you through today, what Christ’s sacrifice on your behalf holds the promise that you will receive ultimate peace and healing in the resurrection of your body. You have a hope that you will one day be given an incorruptible body that will be incapable of experiencing suffering.
God bless you with a day of living in that hope.