Holistic Redemption: Forgiveness and Healing in Christ

Sin entered the world through Adam, and with it came death, sickness, and all forms of brokenness that affect our bodies and lives. This inheritance from Eden means that humanity is marked by the consequences of sin, not just spiritually but physically as well. Yet, when Jesus came, He did not simply carry our sins and sicknesses as a burden—He became sin itself. On the cross, God turned away from Jesus because God and sin cannot coexist. This separation was so that God would never have to be separated from us. Jesus became the embodiment of all that is wrong—sickness, disease, pain—so that we would not have to bear them ourselves.

The gift of God, however, is eternal life through Christ. Eternal life is not just a promise for the future; it is the very life of God, experienced now. It is life as God has it, free from the power of sin and its consequences. This is what it means to live in righteousness: to live as things ought to be, as God intended. Jesus demonstrated this life during His ministry, healing the sick and proclaiming the kingdom of God. His actions showed us what righteousness and eternal life look like in practice.

Forgiveness of sins and healing are inseparable. When Jesus died, He provided forgiveness for all—past, present, and future. But this forgiveness must be received; it is not automatic. For those who receive Christ, forgiveness is theirs, and with it comes the provision for healing. Isaiah 53 makes it clear: Jesus was wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities, and by His stripes, we are healed. God’s justice was satisfied in Christ, so it would be unjust for God to punish us again with sickness or disease. Jesus bore it all so that we could live in the fullness of God’s provision.

Therefore, sickness and disease are not punishments from God. If God were to punish us after punishing Jesus, it would undermine the very work of the cross. Instead, we are invited to receive both forgiveness and healing as a complete package, trusting that Jesus has already carried every burden for us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The inheritance of sin from Adam brought not only spiritual death but also physical suffering and brokenness into the world. Jesus’ work on the cross addresses both, offering a holistic redemption that touches every part of our existence, not just our souls. [11:35]
• 2. Jesus did not merely carry our sins and sicknesses; He became sin itself. This profound exchange meant that God turned away from Him so that He would never have to turn away from us, ensuring our eternal connection with the Father. [12:32]
• 3. Eternal life is not just a future hope but a present reality—life as God Himself experiences it. To live in righteousness is to live as things ought to be, reflecting God’s original intention for humanity, free from the dominion of sin and its effects. [14:32]
• 4. Forgiveness and healing are inseparable in Christ. When we receive forgiveness through faith in Jesus, we also receive the provision for healing; these are not separate gifts but part of the same redemptive work accomplished on the cross. [17:09]
• 5. God’s justice was fully satisfied in Christ’s suffering. To believe that God still punishes us with sickness or calamity is to misunderstand the completeness of Jesus’ sacrifice. We are called to live in the freedom and wholeness that Christ has already secured for us. [20:33]
  ** [20:33]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [11:35] - The Inheritance of Sin and Death
• [12:10] - Jesus Became Sin for Us
• [12:50] - Jesus Carries Our Sickness
• [13:44] - Living to Righteousness
• [14:16] - The Gift of Eternal Life
• [15:16] - What Eternal Life Looks Like
• [15:42] - Jesus Demonstrates Righteousness
• [16:28] - Forgiveness Provided for All
• [17:09] - Forgiveness and Healing: The Complete Package
• [17:44] - Isaiah 53: Jesus Bore Our Griefs
• [18:36] - The Justice of God and Our Peace
• [19:19] - God’s Will to Crush Jesus
• [20:08] - No More Punishment for Us
• [20:52] - Which Is Easier: Forgiveness or Healing?
• [21:21] - Encouragement and Resources

Bible Reading

Romans 6:23 (ESV) — > For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

- Isaiah 53:4-5, 10 (ESV)
> Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 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 we are healed... Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

- Matthew 9:5 (ESV)
> For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?

Observation Questions

1. According to Romans 6:23, what is the result of sin, and what does God offer instead?
2. In Isaiah 53:4-5, what does it say Jesus carried for us, and what was the result for us?
3. The sermon says Jesus didn’t just carry our sins and sicknesses, but “became sin” for us. What does that mean, and how did God respond to Jesus on the cross? ([12:10])
4. In Matthew 9:5, what question does Jesus ask, and what does it reveal about forgiveness and healing?

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon teaches that Jesus became sin so that God would never have to turn away from us. How does this change the way we see our relationship with God, especially when we feel unworthy or distant? ([12:32])
2. If forgiveness and healing are a “complete package” in Christ, as the sermon says, what does that mean for how we pray or what we expect from God? ([17:09])
3. The preacher says that if God punished Jesus for our sins, it would be unjust for God to punish us again with sickness or disease. How does this challenge common beliefs about suffering and God’s role in it? ([20:33])
4. Eternal life is described as “life as God Himself has it, right now.” How is this different from just thinking of eternal life as something that happens after we die? ([14:32])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that sickness and disease are not punishments from God. Have you ever thought of your struggles or sickness as God punishing you? How does this teaching change your perspective? ([20:33])
2. If forgiveness and healing are both available in Christ, is there an area in your life where you need to receive or believe in God’s provision more fully—whether it’s forgiveness, healing, or both? What’s holding you back? ([17:09])
3. Eternal life is described as something we can experience now, not just in the future. What would it look like for you to live “as things ought to be” in your daily life this week? ([14:32])
4. The preacher says Jesus became the embodiment of all that is wrong so we wouldn’t have to bear it ourselves. Is there a burden—physical, emotional, or spiritual—that you are still carrying? What would it mean to give that to Jesus? ([13:09])
5. When you pray for healing or forgiveness, do you see them as separate things, or as part of the same gift from God? How might this change the way you pray or encourage others? ([17:09])
6. The sermon mentions that not everyone receives the forgiveness Jesus provided. How can you help someone else understand and receive this gift? ([16:28])
7. Jesus demonstrated what righteousness and eternal life look like by healing and loving people. Is there a way you can show this kind of life to someone in your family, workplace, or community this week? ([15:42])