Wounded for our Transgressions

Isaiah 53:5
"5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed."

In the Hebrew the word "stripes" is not plural as it is in these verses, it was singular, meaning by the blow from the Father, the separation from His Father as the sin of the world was laid upon Christ on the cross.

The blow from the Father, the separation from the Father was far worse for Christ than any physical misery. Yes the physical brutality was the means by which Christ died and rose again, but it was not the means through which are sin are forgiven, nor was it the means through which we are physically healed. The sins of the world were laid upon Christ on the cross, not the physical problems.

We were not healed from physical illness, we were healed from our sinful nature, but only if we trust in Christ and His payment for our sin.

God does heal often, but other times He leaves us in our infirmities to make us stronger. Just as the workout coach pushes us harder until the muscles break down. When the muscles repair themselves from the strain, they become stronger than they were before.

Difficulties, illnesses and infirmities cause us to lean on the Lord more, as well as making us see the power in the faith in Christ as we go through tough things.

James 1:2-3
"2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."

1 John 2:1-3 "1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours alone, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments."

There are many people who are being judged as lacking faith because they have physical infirmities. I suggest to you, based on Scripture, that perhaps often the ones with the greater faith are those who must trust Christ through life long infirmities. Do not be so proud as to think you have greater faith because you are not enduring illness.

Hebrews 12:7-9 "…7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?…"