Isaiah 53:5 “But he was wounded for our transgressions he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes (scourging) we are healed.”

When Christ was tied to the pole on which he would be whipped with a cat-o’-nine-tails, he was about to suffer physical torture beyond what our human minds can fathom. Hideously designed to remove skin from flesh and separate flesh from bone, two Roman soldiers would take turns using these small flails to cause mind-numbing pain from our Lord’s neck all the way down to his thighs. During this bloody beating, he would suffer for every pain, every disease, every infirmity that we would ever face. It was for our healing that Jesus suffered his body to be disfigured by the lash; not to sympathize with our ailments, but for their healing. How many lashes, how many pounds of flesh pays the price for cancer? How many biting, ripping stings settles the debt for liver disease, a failing kidney, or injuries from a car accident? Jesus left nothing to chance. He paid the price in full. We have healing for our bodies and for our minds now because Jesus willingly placed his hands in those knotted leather cords, laid his body against a stained whipping post, and allowed the Roman guards to do their worst. Today, remember he did it for you.

Prayer: “O’ God, Thank you that I have never had to suffer the excruciating pain that your son endured when he was scourged. I believe that healing is available to me today, right now, for whatever ails me because the work your son did that day paid the price in full. He didn’t take one lash too few, he didn’t stop one moment too soon. Father, thank you for suffering with your son while he was suffering for me. Jesus, never let me forget that nothing I could be called on to suffer could possibly compare. I love you, Lord. It is in the strength of your name I pray…Amen.”