Stripes

When you hear the word “stripes”, what do you think of?  The 1981 movies with Bill  Murray and John Candy? Tigers? Zebras? Sport’s referees?  The flag?

Stripes tend to be a very identifying characteristic?  We talk about cowards having a yellow stripe down their back. When you see a white stripe on a dead animal on the road, skunk comes to mind and we swerve out of the way.  The stripes on our flag have been given significance over time.  Originally they represented the 13 colonies.  Later people have ascribed significance to the color, red representing courage and the blood shed by our soldiers and white representing purity.  How many of you thought of the stripes laid across the back of prisoners in ancient times?   Paul states in 2 Corinthians that five times he received forty stripes save one from the Jews.  Jesus was beaten and scripture tells us “by His stripes you were healed”

I am continually amazed of how much time preachers spend telling us what this verse does NOT mean.  Even preachers who say that they take scripture literally!  They will say that this does not refer to physical healing.  The reason that they feel compelled to make this argument is to explain the lack of healing occurring in today’s churches. It MUST not mean physical healing because not everyone gets healed when we pray.  These are the same preachers that try to explain away the statement in John 14:

“He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. ¹³And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴If you  ask anything in My name, I will do it.

They say that they are doing the greater works, preaching salvation.  How arrogant!  Jesus spent His time healing but we are above that!  People came by the thousands to get healed!  We have better techniques and methods to get people into our pews.  We have the best music program in town!  Our sound system is top notch!  We have free coffee and donuts.  Our sanctuary is air conditioned.  Our pews are the most comfortable.  Our sermons never last more than 20 minutes.  We promise that you will be out of here so you can be first in line at the buffet and get home in time for the kick-off!  We can't be bothered by praying for people individually.  We email the prayer requests.  Just drop a card in the offering plate along with your tithe and offering! (I don't remember Jesus ever taking an offering.  Maybe I missed that verse!)  We don't have enough time between services to pray for all the sick, plus do you know how contagious that new flu is?  By the way, we have disinfectant wipes by the door to make sure you don't get that bug!

The lack of healing can’t be due to our lack of faith!  Surely, we have at least mustard size faith!  We just chose not to move mountains!  Surely, we have more faith that the 9 disciples who could not heal the little demon possessed boy!  Surely, we have spent enough time praying in fasting!  Surely, we have surpassed Daniel’s faith! We don’t need to spend three weeks fasting and praying!  Scripture does not really mean what it says!  These same preachers insist on that tithing is for today, even though there is not a single verse in the New Testament stating such.  The same preachers that insist that they don’t need to anoint with oil and follow the directions in James!  The same preachers that insist that wine is the root of all evil! 

Is it any wonder that the church is powerless today!  We make up our own religion to fit our beliefs!  Is it any wonder that many churches never see someone accept Christ as Savior?  Is any wonder that our youth are leaving the church!  Is any wonder that churches and cathedrals being abandoned or becoming mosques!  Is any wonder that prayer is no longer allowed in our public schools!

Healing is part of my Father’s DNA.  It is part of His character.  His name is JEHOVAH-RAPHA, the God that healeth thee!  

 He is the God,

       Who forgives all your iniquities,

       Who heals all your diseases,

           Who redeems your life from destruction,

        Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

        Who satisfies your mouth with good things.

The God whose people that know Him do exploits!

The  God whose people that believe,

     In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;⁸they  will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

The God who said:

     For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? ⁶But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

The God who told his disciples to:

         Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out          devils.

Yup, I guess all those preachers are right.  God wants you to be sick!  God wants to teach you something!  However, go to your doctor and get a prescription to fight that infection so you won’t learn quite so much. 

Don’t go THE GREAT PHYSICIAN, go to the guy down the street!  We know that guy down the street wants you to get better!  We’re not sure about THE GREAT PHYSICIAN!