Greetings in the powerful name of Jesus!

I want to begin my letter today by telling you that we are receiving calls, letters, and emails from all over the world. People are really tuning in on different media platforms because they are looking for teaching they can trust. Providing that kind of material is our prayer — and we are thankful to God for using us to touch so many lives. And…we are thankful to YOU for being a partner and friend who is helping us to carry out this important mission that God has given us. Denise and I, our family, and our team are willing to do the work — and we are working hard — but we can only do it because of God’s grace and the faithful giving of our partners. I often say that our partners are the ones who put gas in the tank so we can take God’s Word to people — and I want to say THANK YOU for the financial fuel you put into the tank so we can fulfill God’s call on our lives!

I’m so glad that many have ordered my new book The Rapture, the Antichrist, and the Tribulation — An End-Times Countdown and What Happens Next — and now it’s time for me to let you know that the Renner Interpretive Version — A Conceptual Interpretation of the Greek New Testament, First and Second Peter will be released in one month! This second volume of the RIV is amazing, even to me. When I finally saw it all typeset and ready to be printed, I was nearly speechless at the vast amount of revelation on these pages. I wanted you to know that it still is available at a special presale discount right now. To order it, simply call 1-800-742-5593 or go online at renner.org. I’m excited for you to get your copy!

In my letter today, I want to continue sharing with you about how to receive the healing that Jesus purchased for you in His work on the Cross. A study of the Scriptures shows that healing and health are an inseparable part of what Jesus provided through His redemptive work on the Cross. As a matter of fact, healing and health belong to you just as much as God’s forgiveness, freedom from guilt and shame, peace of mind, and everything else that belongs to you in Christ. What Christ endured in His scourging and death on the Cross was literally a deathblow to sin, disease, illness, and sickness, and through faith in His work on the Cross, we can enter into wholeness in every part of our beings.

Today, I want to show you what Isaiah wrote about the price Jesus paid to obtain healing and health for us. I really want you to see that healing and health are an inseparable part of what Jesus provided through His atonement. We can be assured that healing and health are safely held in the spiritual bank of Heaven, and they await every child of God to lay claim to them. Yet many Christians find themselves beset by illness, and many are unaware that healing and health have been provided at the Cross. But you are about to see that healing is your rightful inheritance, and it is God’s fervent desire for you to embrace a life of wellness.

A Deeper Look at Isaiah 53:3-5

Nearly 700 years before Christ, the prophet Isaiah prophesied about the suffering that Christ would endure and the purpose for it. In Isaiah 53:3-5, Isaiah wrote, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

Throughout the Old Testament, no prophecy about Christ’s suffering and eventual glorification is as clear as what Isaiah presented in these verses. Because these words of Isaiah are so pivotal in this discussion, we will begin with Isaiah 53:3, where Isaiah began by vividly writing that Christ would be “despised” by men.

The word “despised” originates from a Hebrew word frequently encountered in the Old Testament that paints a picture of disdain and scorn. The gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John vividly illustrate how Jesus was subjected to extreme derision by religious authorities, guards, soldiers, and political figures alike. Various translations of the word “despised” include despise, disdain, disesteem, hold in contempt, or scorn.

In the span of His three-year public ministry, Jesus was “despised” and treated with non-stop “contempt” by the religious leaders of His day. Their verbal onslaughts and relentless attempts to undermine Him were unyielding. But their contempt of Him reached its zenith on the night He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot. Upon His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was taken to the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest. It was there that He faced the brutal hostility of Israel’s most revered religious figures. Behind closed doors, these leaders descended upon Him like a brood of vipers, unleashing their fury with words of venom, spitting in contempt, and inflicting physical blows upon Him.

Following His interrogation by Pilate and Herod Antipas, Jesus then endured unspeakable cruelty at the hands of Roman soldiers. They mocked and cursed Him, striking His face with a reed plucked from Pilate’s courtyard fountain. In their brutality, they yanked the beard from His chin and crafted a painful crown from razor-sharp vines and forced it onto His head. As if this torment were not enough, He was led to a whipping post, where two merciless scourgers used their savage instruments to rend His body with each vicious lash.

Ultimately, Jesus’ hands and feet were pierced with nails that secured Him to the cross they used to crucify Him. These acts of brutality were the bitter fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 53:3 that He would be “despised” and shunned by the very people He came to save.

Isaiah 53:3 also prophesied that Christ would be “rejected” of men. The word “rejected” might also be translated abandoned or forsaken. It captures the image of one isolated, shunned by society, and avoided by those around him. Despite moments when Jesus drew crowds, His loyal followers were consistently just a “little flock” (see Luke 12:32). Of that little flock, we are told in John 6:66 that “many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” There were others who believed on Him, but would only come to Him by night, as was the case with Nicodemus in John 3:2. John 7:48 implies that other rulers and great men may have believed on Him, yet stood aloof from him, and according to Matthew 26:56, eventually even His own disciples “forsook him, and fled.” Thus, we see the complete accuracy of Isaiah’s prophecy.

In Isaiah 53:3, the prophet continued to say that Jesus would be “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” The word “sorrows” is very important for us to understand. It is translated from a Hebrew word that is rich with meanings of physical torment, deep anguish, acute pain, and profound suffering. It is derived from a root that means to grieve or to be in pain. It is similar to the Greek word that depicts a scourge that was used by Roman soldiers to torturously rip open the human body and shred it to pieces. Furthermore, the word “sorrows” that Isaiah used in this verse also encompasses both emotional and physical torment. Here, Isaiah prophesied the violent nature with which Christ would be treated.

Isaiah went on to describe Christ as being intimately “acquainted with grief.” The Hebrew word that is translated “acquainted” means to be acquainted or to know by intimate personal experience and personal knowledge. The Hebrew word that is translated “grief” undeniably refers to physical and mental afflictions of the body and mind — diseases, illnesses, and sicknesses. While some might attempt to spiritualize this into a metaphorical spiritual illness, the Hebrew word incontestably points to tangible physical and mental suffering. The use of this word “grief” underscores that Christ personally experienced and tasted physical and mental disease, illness, and sickness in His redemptive work on the Cross.

Then in Isaiah 53:3, Isaiah added that “we hid as it were our faces from him.” The word “hid” depicts such a deep aversion to something that one cannot bear to look upon it. What Christ endured was so ghastly that when these events occurred, those who were close enough to see them turned their heads to conceal from their sight the horrible rending and tearing of Christ’s flesh at His scourging and crucifixion. It was too much for human sight to bear. Isaiah’s prophecy thus was fulfilled.

Forgive me for commenting on a movie, but Mel Gibson’s magnificent 2004 film called The Passion of the Christ is one of the most profound portrayals of Christ’s suffering ever produced. As I sat in the movie theater to see it, during the scene when the Roman soldiers unleashed their brutal scourge upon Jesus, I noticed that I — along with nearly everyone else in the theater — instinctively turned away. In that moment, I inwardly heard Isaiah’s words “we hid as it were our faces from him.” If a cinematic portrayal affected the audience so profoundly, one can scarcely fathom the unimaginable reality of Christ’s suffering witnessed firsthand. In each screening in cinemas worldwide, viewers recoiled from the ghastly spectacle, and every time they “hid their faces,” it served as a testament to Isaiah’s prophecy that witnesses of Christ’s torment would avert their gazes, unwilling or unable to bear the sight of such profound anguish.

For a moment, I must dive into Isaiah 52:14, where Isaiah prophesied just how torn Christ’s body would be in His redemptive work for us. In that verse, Isaiah said, “As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.”

The word “visage” in Hebrew describes Christ’s visible appearance as a result of the harrowing ordeals He endured. The Hebrew word translated “marred” means that as a result of His scourging and crucifixion, Christ’s human body was in a state of complete disfigurement. The words “more than any man” lets us know that His condition was unparalleled, surpassing any suffering endured by another human throughout history.

Isaiah 53:3 continues to say that “he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Here, the word “despised” again emphasizes that, despite the fact that He endured such profound anguish for our sake, humanity as a collective scorned His sacrifice and looked upon it with disdain. Even though He endured all this for each of us, humankind looked upon His sacrifice with contempt and despised it.

In fact, Isaiah says that we “esteemed him not.” The word “esteemed” in Hebrew means to appreciate, consider, esteem, or value. The phrase “esteemed him not” conveys a complete lack of recognition. The word “not” in Hebrew is emphatic, which means that, as a whole, we emphatically did not esteem what He was doing on the Cross. This prophecy foresaw that the gravity of Christ’s sacrifice would be lost on those who bore witness.

In essence, this prophecy foretold that at the time of Christ’s sacrificial death, those who witnessed it would not appreciate it, consider what it really meant, esteem what He was doing, or value what was happening. It brings to mind the soldiers who callously watched Him die on the Cross while they cast lots for his garments, or the religious leaders who looked upon Him and spoke blasphemous words against Him — or the thief who verbally abused Him even as Christ was paying the price for him and all the others to be redeemed. Those present during Christ’s sufferings failed to grasp the monumental act unfolding before them, neither appreciating, considering, nor valuing the priceless gift of salvation.

To summarize, Isaiah 53:3 declares that in His sacrifice for us, Christ:

• Was despised and treated with contempt.
• Was wholesale abandoned and rejected of men.
• Endured physical torment, deep anguish, acute pain, and profound suffering.
• Personally tasted physical and mental illness, disease, and sickness.
• Was shunned by humankind, who turned their faces to avoid looking upon His suffering.
• Did it all for each of us — even though He was despised for it.
• Was not appreciated, esteemed, or valued for what He was enduring for each of us.

But then Isaiah 53:4 adds, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.”

In Hebrew, the word “surely” is imbued with a profound sense of certainty, and it could be rendered categorically, definitely, emphatically, indeed, truly, or verily. This is an emphatic word, and it means Isaiah was making an ardent declaration. He was elevating his tone to hammer home an unquestionable statement. The word “surely” means that “categorically, definitely, emphatically, indeed, truly, or verily…He has borne our griefs.” By choosing this potent word, Isaiah speaks of what is absolutely certain, indisputably and undeniably true, and completely unquestionable.

Then Isaiah adds that Christ “hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.” In Hebrew, the word “borne” evokes an image of one who lifts a weight from another’s shoulders and chooses to bear it upon himself. In context, what Jesus lifted from us and took upon Himself is explained by the words “our griefs.” This word “griefs” in the original Hebrew specifically denotes physical and mental afflictions of the body and mind — physical and mental diseases, illness, and sicknesses.

Though some may argue for a metaphorical interpretation and suggest these terms refer to spiritual weaknesses, the original Hebrew text does not support such a reading. An honest analysis of the text reveals that Christ, in addition to purchasing forgiveness of sin, freedom from guilt and shame, and peace of mind, also lifted physical and mental disease, illness, and sickness from us, and He took them upon Himself on the Cross.

If we stopped here, the original Hebrew text has already gloriously told us, “It is absolutely certain, indisputably, undeniably true, and unquestionable that He has personally lifted all physical and mental diseases, illnesses, and sicknesses from us and taken them upon Himself….”

And then Isaiah eloquently reveals that Jesus “carried” or shouldered the immense load of our “sorrows.” The Hebrew word translated “carried” could be rendered as shouldered, and it implies an act of bearing something tremendously heavy or lifting a significant burden. The burden Christ “carried” and “shouldered” for us was our “sorrows.” The word “sorrows” is interpreted from a Hebrew word that depicts physical and mental anguish and pains. The precise choice of these words powerfully underscores that through His redemptive act, Christ lifted from us and absorbed into Himself our physical and mental diseases, illnesses, and sicknesses. He lifted them from us and took them upon Himself at the Cross on our behalf.

Pausing here to reflect on what all this means, the text could be rendered, “It is absolutely certain, indisputably, undeniably true, and unquestionable that He has personally lifted all physical and mental diseases, illnesses, and sicknesses from us, and He has taken upon Himself absolutely all physical and mental anguish and pain….”

Isaiah 53:4 continues to say that “we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” In Hebrew, the word “stricken” conveys the notion of having someone or something subjected to a brutal, harsh, and forceful hand. In the Old Testament, this word is often used to describe a moment when a person (or people) is visited with severity — and very frequently the visited severity manifests as physical disease, illness, or sickness. Meanwhile, its counterpart, “smitten,” portrays the actions of someone who physically lays his hands on someone or something to afflict or severely beat or strike it with the intention to destroy. Notably, this same word is also used militarily to describe a ferocious attack on an adversary during warfare with utter obliteration as the goal. Then on top of all these already intense words, Isaiah adds that Christ will be “afflicted,” which in Hebrew means to be utterly crushed.

Adding all of these meanings to this verse, we find that Isaiah 53:4 could read as follows: “It is absolutely certain, indisputably, undeniably true, and unquestionable that He has personally lifted all physical and mental diseases, illnesses, and sicknesses from us, and He has taken upon Himself absolutely all physical and mental anguish and pain, as God’s forceful hand of judgment came upon Him. God struck the enemy with the intention to completely destroy him, and God did it with such force that it was completely and utterly crushed.”

When all this occurred, God was unleashing a mighty blow against the sin and physical and mental disease, illness, and sickness that Christ had willingly absorbed into His being. God was waging a war against everything Christ took upon Himself — sin, guilt, shame, lack of peace, and every ailment, disease, illness, sickness, and torment — both physical and mental. These were age-old enemies that had been unleashed upon the world from the moment of Adam’s transgression and that had haunted humanity ever since. Yet at the Cross, God launched an attack that was aimed at eradicating them, and He delivered a decisive and fatal strike against them.

Isaiah 53:5 summarizes, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” In the original Hebrew, the word “wounded” conveys a sense of being pierced or deeply wounded, foreshadowing with remarkable clarity the future piercing of Jesus’ hands, feet, side, and brow. Remarkably, Isaiah captured this vision of Christ’s suffering with prophetic precision, seven centuries before the event unfolded.

The Hebrew concept of “transgressions” refers to violations of God’s commandments and God’s nature, including sin, rebellion, and turning against God — all of which are a reflection of humanity’s flawed nature that was inherited from Adam’s initial transgression. Isaiah foretold that Christ would be physically pierced and would bear physical wounds, shedding His blood to pay the ultimate price for our sins and acts of rebellion. That payment of blood was required for Christ to redeem us from Satan’s slave market and to restore us to God’s original intent for our lives.

Then Isaiah says, “…He [Jesus] was bruised for our iniquities…” (Isaiah 53:5). The words “was bruised” are a translation of a Hebrew word meaning to beat to pieces, to crush, or to destroy. This highlights the profound suffering Christ endured on behalf of others and emphasizes themes of substitutionary atonement and redemption. Meanwhile, the word “iniquities” stems from a Hebrew word that encompasses a range of human failings including guilt, moral lapses, depravity, perversity, and shame.

This passage reveals that Christ’s sacrifice went beyond just covering our sins; He obliterated our iniquities. This includes not just our moral failures, but also the guilt and shame attached to them. Through His redemptive act on the Cross, Christ obliterated these burdens entirely, offering freedom from guilt, moral failings, all forms of perversity, and the heavy cloak of shame that once ensnared us. Thus, Christ’s redemptive work on the Cross includes the complete removal of all of these, and He intends for you to be freed from all associated shame that once hounded you because of past iniquities in your life.

Isaiah 53:5 states “the chastisement of our peace was upon him.” The word “chastisement” is from a Hebrew word that pictures punishment for past activities. This illustrates the profound truth that at the Cross, Christ bore the penalty we deserved and paved the way for us to attain “peace.” This “peace” is deeply rooted in the Hebrew concept of shalom, a word that signifies not just tranquility, but an all-encompassing state of wholeness and completeness in every part of a person’s life. This term encompasses happiness, health, prosperity, safety, security, and soundness of mind. It paints a vivid picture of a life that is abundantly blessed and that is flourishing in every dimension. Thus, when Jesus paid the price for us on the Cross, He was not only bearing our burdens but also securing our holistic well-being and ensuring that we could experience a profound peace of mind and that we would thrive in every aspect of our lives.

Then Isaiah 53:5 adds, “…And with his stripes we are healed.” The word “stripes” finds its origins in a Hebrew word that pictures bruises, welts, and the dark-blue marks left by a severe whipping. Of course, this is a reference to the scourging that Christ endured to obtain our freedom from all forms of physical and mental disease, illness, and sickness.

By understanding the meaning of the Hebrew word rapha, which is rendered “healed” in this verse, it’s clear that Christ’s redemptive act brought about not only the forgiveness of sins, liberation from shame, and mental peace, but also physical and mental healing from all manners of ailments. Christ’s work on the Cross provided for the comprehensive restoration of every facet of our existence — spiritual, physical, and mental.

Combining all these Hebrew word meanings in this verse, Isaiah 53:5 carries the meaning:

But he was pierced and deeply wounded for our transgressions — that is, our violations of God’s commandments and God’s nature, including sin, rebellion, and turning against God. He was beaten, crushed, and destroyed for the removal of our iniquities — that is, our guilt, moral lapses, depravity, perversity, and shame. The punishment we deserved for our past activities was laid on him, and we have been given peace in its place — not just tranquility, but an all-encompassing state of wholeness and completeness in every part of our lives so that we can peacefully thrive. And due to the massive, full body bruises, welts, and stripes that were laid on him by a severe lashing of the whip, we are healed from all manner of physical and mental disease, illness, and sickness.

Do you see how vital it is that we understand Isaiah 53:3-5? Having unraveled its profound messages, we are now poised to embark on next month’s letter where I want to talk to you about how to appropriate healing and health for your body and mind.

I realize this letter is a little longer than usual, but I really want you to see what is stated in Isaiah 53:3-5 about what Jesus purchased in His work on the Cross. Jesus paid the ultimate price so you could be set free in all these areas. If you are struggling in any of these areas that Jesus died to free you from, we want to pray with you. We are waiting to join our faith with yours for God to do what needs to be done. Just call 1-800-742-5593 any weekday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT or write to us anytime at prayer@renner.org. And as I always request, please be praying for us as well as we press ahead by faith to do what Jesus has asked us to do in our ministry. As a partner, you are a big part of what we do, and we thank you again for being such a faithful friend and partner!

We are your brother and sister, friends, and partners in Jesus,

Rick and Denise Renner
along with Paul, Philip, and Joel Renner and our entire ministry team

P.S. Click here to view the new interactive Ministry Update page or click here to download the printable pdf flyer.