Wounds
On the cross, Jesus died not only for us, but as us. We were buried with Him in His baptism into death and raised again to new life (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12). The prophet Isaiah wrote “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5, NIV). The wounds of Christ have healed the whole human in mind, body, and spirit. We have been brought peace. By His wounds, we are healed. In the words of a familiar hymn: the wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory.
From each of the sufferings laid on Christ, we freely receive the opposite. He bore the burden so we could freely receive the gift of eternal life. This eternal life includes an inheritance of healing. The wounds of Christ teach us about our heavenly inheritance.
Crown of Thorns
Jesus’ crown of thorns allows us to wear His crown of righteousness. The crown of righteousness is the renewed mind, for we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). It is freedom from consciousness of sin. The crown of thorns symbolizes the toil and hardship resulting from Adam’s sin (Genesis 3:18). Christ, the last Adam, bore this toil and hardship to allow us to live in power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). The human mind is healed in Jesus.
Flogged and Beaten
Christ was flogged and beaten following His trial by Pontius Pilate (Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; John 19:1). Blood and sweat covered the tortured body of Jesus. His blood ran freely. This same blood allows us the provision of divine health in our bodies as we pursue it and believe God. Jesus suffered in body so we may live in health and freedom in our physical bodies. By His stripes, we are healed (1 Peter 2:24).
Hands and Feet
The hands and feet of Christ were nailed to the cross. Hands and feet are symbolic of activity. On the cross, the Word of God was hanged and impaled. There He suffered, static and immobile. We are anything but static and immobile - the Holy Spirit empowers us to walk in the works of our destinies (Ephesians 2:10). We have become His hands and feet on planet earth - bringing the good news to all and healing the nations.
Pierced Side
A Roman centurion pierced the side of Jesus. From the wound flowed blood and water (John 19:34). We now have this blood and water flowing from within us. We have a river of living water flowing from our innermost being (John 7:38). The water that flowed from Jesus’ side is our river of life. This water was a symbol of the spiritual water that had begun to flow in a dry and parched land. It is a symbol of the Holy Spirit’s outpouring (Isaiah 44:3).
Crucifixion
Christ submitted Himself to the law (both the Jewish religious law and Roman legal law) and died under the law. This obedience allows us to live free from any law-based relationship with God (Galatians 5:18; Romans 6:14). We now live as God’s sons and daughters in the freedom of the Spirit. Christ fulfilled the sacrificial demands of the Old Covenant code. The lamb of God died as a one-time sacrifice, that all men may live in freedom.
Death
Christ’s death allows us access to eternal life. This eternal life is the restoration of mankind’s ability to abide in the presence of God - in this life and beyond. In Him, we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). In Christ, we have been raised to new life. We keep our eyes fixed on unseen realities (Colossians 3:1). We are seated with Christ in heavenly places, where we co-labor with Him in the healing of the world (Ephesians 2:6).
