Luke 23:32
“When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one of his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
V44 “It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit”. When he had said this, he breathed his last.”
Jesus was put to death physically to take our sin upon himself – it was not in some way merely a spiritual death, but it was an agonising, physical crucifixion. His fully physical human body suffered and died, and was buried.
In every way, God himself identified with us as human beings, so that Jesus could die in our place. Our humanity matters that much to our Creator.
Peter could write with confidence, “By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24) because Jesus’ suffering was physical and there were many witnesses to it.
Peter was quoting Isaiah 53:5 “and by his wounds we are healed.” Jesus is not only interested in saving us from sin, but in our physical and mental healing – so we can pray for healing with confidence.
Be thankful that Jesus died for our sin, and healing for our bodies and minds as well.