Shout out

The final pair of verses in 1 Peter 2 shout out to me. Verses 24-25 shout out what Jesus did:

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 

The context is 101% talking about redemption, the forgiveness of our sins.

Read all about it in the original prophecy: Isaiah 53.5.

And yet, my buddy Matthew, being a first-hand witness at Peter’s house in Capernaum one night, whips the prophecy totally out of context, unveiling another entire facet in Mt 8.16-17:

That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 

This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” 

I know there be some who would choose to explain the healing part away. But I am not one of them.