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 THE SEVEN
WOUNDS OF CHRIST
Free Us from Sin, Fear, Sickness
& Satan
by Pastor Max
Solbrekken, D.D.
"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." (Isaiah
53:5)
How
to Receive Healing Through the Blood of Jesus
The
ancient prophet Isaiah set forth a graphic picture of the coming Jewish
Messiah in the 53rd. chapter of the book we call 'The Gospel of
the Old Testament.' "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." (Isaiah 53:5)
We
can receive total healing through the wounds of Jesus Christ - According
to the prophets, the Messiah would suffer, bleed and die for His people.
He would be cut off in death, but rise again in power. He would be
wounded, bruised, chastised and striped in order to purchase our salvation
and bring deliverance from sin, sickness and eternal death.
And
St. Peter records the glorious results of Christ's terrible sufferings as
our substitute. "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." (1 Peter 2:24)
THE
SEVEN WOUNDS OF JESUS SPELL COMPLETE REDEMPTION
Jesus
Christ received seven specific wounds in His body during His week of
suffering and death. The number seven in biblical terms speaks of
perfection and completeness. Wounds
according to the dictionary are divisions of the soft part of the body by
a mechanical force applied externally. They are classified as: contused,
lacerated, penetrating, perforating and incised! Jesus Christ
received each of these plus an additional two, by mutilation and falling.
1)
THE CONTUSED WOUND - produced
by a sharp instrument. "They
shall smite the Judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek." (Micah
5:1) St. Matthew wrote, "They smote Him with rods." (Matthew
26:67; John 18:22) (Newberry & Revised) "Then they did spit
in His face and buffeted Him, and others smote Him with the palms of their
hands." (Matthew 26:67)
Very
definitely, Jesus suffered pain and humiliation as Roman soldiers beat Him
about the face with their rods! Others,
including the servants smote Him with their hands. The rod would cut into
the flesh, leaving a contused wound.
2)
THE LACERATED WOUND - produced
by a tearing instrument.
The
Romans used the cruel cat-of-nine tails to scourge criminals. On the end
of the whip were nine pieces of leather to which were attached sharp ivory
or metal balls with protruding nails. As the whip was cracked, it would
tear out pieces of the flesh. Jewish law
demanded that not more than 40 lashes be administered, since often the
victim would faint or even die during the scourging.
The
Romans did not need to adhere to Jewish law. As a matter of fact,
crucifixion was a Roman mode of execution! The Romans always scourged a
condemned man before crucifying him.
Some
historians and Church Fathers believe that Jesus Christ may have received
many more than 39 stripes. The more punishment a prisoner took on
the whipping pole, the shorter was the guard duty for the Roman Soldiers
at the scene of execution.
Since
the Jewish leadership had accused Him of perverting the people, the Romans
certainly had no reason to "go easy" on Him! And no
doubt the tough Roman soldiers would have been happy to see Jesus squirm
and cry out - especially since he had refused to talk to the Governor!
We
do know that St. Paul was whipped by the Jews on five separate occasions: "Of
the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one." (2
Corinthians 13:24) Paul was not a candidate for crucifixion, by the
Romans. He was prosecuted under the jurisdiction of the Jewish hierarchy.
If
Jesus received 39 stripes in Pilate's Judgment Hall, that would have
inflicted a total of 351 gashes on His lacerated back. If He received more
than 39 stripes, the gashes would have been more numerous.
THE
WOUNDS OF CHRIST PURCHASED OUR HEALING: SPIRITUAL,
MENTAL AND PHYSICAL
The
Old Testament prophet declared, "The ploughers ploughed upon My
back. They made long furrows." (Psalms 129:3) Seven hundred and
fifty years earlier, Isaiah had prophesied concerning the Messiah, "I
gave My back to the smiters" (Isaiah 50:6)
"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." (Isaiah 53:5) St.
Matthew records, "Then Pilate therefore took Jesus and scourged
Him." (Matthew 27:20; John 19:1)
Prisoners
who were scourged usually lost a lot of blood and sometimes fainted. Jesus
suffered the agonizing and brutal scourging for us!
3)
THE PENETRATING WOUND: a
deep wound caused by a sharp, pointed instrument.
The
crown of thorns that was pressed upon the head of Jesus caused such
wounds. The Jerusalem thorn, known as the Arabian Nebulae, was 4 inches
long and as sharp as a needle. The cruel diadem containing over 100
spiculets, was driven into His head with blows from the rod.
The
Bible Scriptures record, "And when they had platted a crown of
thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand: and they
bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the
Jews." (Matthew 27:29)
"Then
came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And
Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!" (John 19:5)
It
was the Governor's intention to scourge Jesus and then release him.
He had hoped the pitiful sight of a weary, weak and bloodies man would
satisfy their blood lust and evoke sympathy for the prisoner. Instead of
being satisfied, they craved more blood, crying out "Away with
Him, crucify Him, crucify Him!" (Matthew 27:22-23)
THORNS
SPEAK OF THE ORIGINAL CURSE
Thorns
speak of the original curse, "Cursed is the ground for thy sake;
in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;" "Thorns
also and thistles shall it bring forth unto thee..." (Geneses
3:17-18)
JESUS
TOOK THE CURSE FOR US
Jesus
Christ bore the penalty for our sins, transgressions, sicknesses,
diseases and pains! St. Paul writes, "Christ hath redeemed us
from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written,
Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.
`“That
the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ;
that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:13-14)
In
the book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 28, Moses enumerates the blessings of
keeping covenant with God. He also lists the curses! The curses include sickness,
disease, insanity, torments, plagues, pestilence, famine and war. The
Apostle to the Gentiles states unequivocally that, "Christ hath
redeemed us from the curse of the law." So we are free.
The
Roman soldiers tried to drive Jesus insane by beating that crown of sharp
Arabian Nebulae into His head. But He didn't lose His sanity but rather
through this horrible experience purchased our peace and tranquility.
"And
having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all
things unto Himself." (Colossians 1:20)
Because
of the penetrating wounds He bore for us, WE HAVE PEACE!
4)
THE PERFORATING WOUND: From
the Latin word; "to pierce through
`A
Messianic psalm stated, "They pierced My hands and My feet" (Psalms 22:16)
At the time of David's prophecy, he knew nothing of crucifixion, for the
Hebrew method of capitol punishment was stoning!
The
prophet Zechariah also foretold of the Messiah's death by crucifixion. "And
one shall say unto Him, What are these wounds in Thine hands? Then shall
He answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of My
friends." (Zechariah 13:6)
By
the time Jesus was born, the Romans had conquered Palestine and
crucifixion had become the mode of execution. The New Testament records: "And
when they were come... to Calvary, there they crucified Jesus." (Luke
23:33; John 19:16-18)
The
Bible says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life." (John 3:16) Jesus Christ suffered the
torments, agony, pain and death of the most horrible of all deaths - The
Death of Crucifixion! He suffered for us. He bled for us. He died for us!
And He arose again from the dead, for us!
5)
THE INCISED WOUND: a
cut produced by a sharp edged instrument.
"But
one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came
there out blood and water." (John 19:34)
As
the Sabbath was approaching the soldiers helped speed up the expiration of
the victims by smashing their thigh bones, thus allowing asphyxiation.
When the Roman soldier came to Jesus, he noticed that He was already dead.
The soldier then went on to the thief on Jesus' other side and with his
large axe, smashed the femur bone (thigh bone) causing a quicker death.
In
order to verify Jesus' death, the soldier then plunged his spear into the
left side of Jesus!
This
fulfilled the scripture, "They shall look upon Him Whom they
have pierced." (Zechariah 12:10) So large was the wound that
after the resurrection, Thomas "the doubter" was invited to
thrust his hand into that wound.
"Then
saith He to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and
reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless,
but believing." (John 20:27)
St.
John was standing near the cross and noticed blood and water coming out of
His side. The pericardium is a closed sac encasing the heart,
lubricated by a small amount of fluid to facilitate the motion of the
heart.
Mallory
& Wright's pathological technique answers the question, "How
could John have seen such a small amount of water flow out of the wound?
The normal amount (of pericardial fluid) is about a teaspoon, but it may
be increased to 100 c.c. (24 teaspoonfuls) where death agony is prolonged.
`Another
miracle was that contrary to nature, blood flowed from a dead man, proving
that the blood of Jesus did not die but is efficacious even today !
"There
is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Emmanuel's veins, And
sinners plunge beneath the flood, Lose all their guilty stains`
`The
blood and water which St. John saw coming out of the side of Christ may
also have been the physiological aspect of death.
Medical
science teaches that, "Blood in a cadaver readily separates into
clear serum and red blood cells, thus certifying that the person is
clinically dead." It could be that both of these things were
happening at once. Either way, it proves that the death of Jesus was a
reality and that there is life through His precious blood.
The
Bible says, "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission
of sins." (Leviticus 17:11,14); "It is the blood that
maketh atonement for the soul." (Hebrews 9:22) "And
the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sins." (1
John 1:7)
THE
BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, SHED FOR US ALL ON GOLGOTHA, HAS PURCHASED OUR
SALVATION
I)
WE RECEIVE FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"In
Whom we have redemption through His blood, even THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS,
according to the riches of His grace."(Ephesians 1:7)
(II)
WE RECEIVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"Forasmuch
as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver
and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your
fathers;"
"But
with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot:" (1 Peter 1:18-19). "Take heed therefore unto
yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made
you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His
own blood." (Acts 20:28)
(III)
WE RECEIVE CLEANSING FROM SIN THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"But
if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one
with another, And the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all
sins." (1 John 1:7)
(IV)
WE ARE LOOSED FROM OUR SINS BY HIS BLOOD
"And
from Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of
the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved
us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood." (Revelation
1:5)
(V)
WE ARE JUSTIFIED THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"Much
more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath
through Him." (Romans 5:9)
"Being
justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His
blood, to declare the righteousness for the remission of sins that are
past, through the forbearance of God;"(Romans 3:24-25)
(VI)
WE RECEIVE PEACE THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"And
having made peace through the death of His cross, by Him to receive all
things unto himself;" (Colossians 1:20)
(VII)
WE RECEIVE ACCESS TO THE FATHER THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"Having
therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of
Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us through
the veil, that is to say, His flesh;" (Hebrews 10:19-20)
(VIII)
WE RECEIVE DIVINE HEALING THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"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." (Isaiah 53:5)
"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." (1 Peter 2:24)
(IX)
WE RECEIVE VICTORY OVER THE DEVIL THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"And
they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of
their testimony." (Revelation 12:11)
(X)
WE ARE SANCTIFIED THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"Wherefore
Jesus also, that He might sanctify His people with His own blood, suffered
without the gate." (Hebrews 13:12)
(XI)
WE RECEIVE A CLEAR (PURGED) CONSCIENCE THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"How
much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the Eternal Spirit
offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience (mind) from
dead works, to serve the Living God?" (Hebrews 9:14)
(XII)
WE RECEIVE ETERNAL GLORY THROUGH HIS BLOOD
"These
are they which come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before
the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that
sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them..."
"For
the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall
lead them unto living fountains of water: and God shall wipe away all
tears from their eyes." (Revelation 7:14-17)
6)
WOUNDS BY MUTILATION - the
plucking out of His beard.
"I
gave My cheeks to them that plucked out the hair." (Isaiah 50:6)
Not
only did they slap and spit upon His face but they yanked out His beard
causing the wounds of mutilation. Can you imagine the awful pain, as cruel
Roman soldiers pulled out His beard! The blood flowed down upon Christ's
chest as cruel tormentors mutilated His face by tearing out handfuls of
His beard.
He
did it for us, because by "His Sore" (original Hebrew)
we are healed! He was "one sore" from head to toe, by
the time He had undergone the full mistreatment which the Roman soldiers
heaped upon Him! He suffered more than any man and He did it all for us -
to purchase our salvation.
7)
WOUNDS BY FALLING:
They
laid the rugged cross upon His lacerated, bleeding back and forced Jesus
to carry His own cross, as was the custom for condemned criminals. Due to
loss of blood because of the scourging, He was unable to do so.
As
He stumbled and fell, His body received more bruises and sores, and He
suffered more pain, for us.
Historians
claim, that after His striping in Pilate's Judgment Hall, Jesus was
subjected to a heavy wooden cross laid upon His raw, bleeding back.
Apparently,
the cross bar was tied to His wrists and the stock to His left ankle. When
He stumbled and fell, He had no way to protect Himself, so His body was
further bruised and battered! And Roman soldiers then forced a stranger,
Simon of Cyrene to bear His cross up Calvary's hill.
"And
He bearing His cross went forth to the place of a skull..." (John
19:17) "And as they led Him away they laid hold upon one Simon,
a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross,
that he might bear it after Jesus." (Luke 23:26)
“And
they compel one Simon a Cyrenian who passed by, coming out of the country,
the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear His cross.” (Mark 15:21)
Alexander became a great leader as is recorded in the Holy Scripture:
“And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him
forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have his defence
unto the people.” (Acts 19: 33)
Apparently
that event caused such an impact upon the Cyrenian that he became a
convert to Christ. And that his two sons also became mighty men of God and
preached the gospel of Christ after His resurrection.
St.
Paul mentions Rufus in his letter: “Salute Rufus chosen of the Lord, and
his mother and mine.” (Rom.15: 13) Rufus' mother was so kind and beloved
that Paul referred to her as his mother also.
CHRIST
WAS WOUNDED FROM HEAD TO FOOT WITH SEVEN WOUNDS IN ORDER TO BRING US
HEALING
And
St. Matthew stated, "When the even was come, they brought unto
Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with
His word, and healed all that were sick:
`"That
it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Easias the prophet, saying,
Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." (Matthew 8:16-17)
"It
is no wonder, St. Thomas, upon his encounter with the risen Christ
declared, "My Lord and my God." (John 20: 28)
MAY
THE RISEN CHRIST BLESS AND HEAL YOU AS YOU APPROPRIATE HIS PROMISES FOR
YOURSELF.
I
pray you will receive total healing through the wounds and blood that
Jesus Christ shed for you. AMEN.
Why
was
JESUS CHRIST BORN?
Jesus Christ was
born to to destroy the works of the devil
Sin,
however, was in the world because Satan (the devil). The devil, who
is the father of sin and death, had been cast out of Heaven and is called
the 'Prince of the power of the air', as well as the 'god of this world'.
(Ephesians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4)
The
devil had caused previous disruption and chaos. (Genesis 1:2;
Ezekiel 28:13-19; Isaiah 14:12-17).
Because
of Satan (the devils) rebellion and hatred for God, he had cunningly
planned his strategy by tempting Eve, with the Tree of Life, in the Garden
of Eden. (Genesis 3:1-6; Job 1:8-22; Job 2:1-8)
GOD
CALLED ADAM WHERE ART THOU?
The
great transgression had been made by Adam & Eve. Now, for the
moment of truth. How would Adam & Eve feel? Would they now
be wise as God, as Satan (the devil) had promised them? Was the
rebellion and disobedience towards God worth it? No - a thousand
times NO.
Adam
& Eve's eyes were opened. But, what did they see? Adam
& Eve saw their own vulnerability, stupidity, weaknesses, sin and
nakedness. Fear stalked and filled their souls. They had never
felt fear before sin entered their lives. They realized they were
naked, vulnerable and inadequate. Now, they realized they must face
the music, and meet God alone.
But
where was Satan (the devil)? Where was the evil one who had been
their wise tempter such a short time ago?
Of
course, the devil was gone, to gloat over his victory. I'm sure that
the devil, the liar and deceiver was not far away, probably hiding behind
a tree, excitedly waiting to see the inevitable outcome of their sin.
The inevitable outcome, the separation, dis-fellowshipping of God and His
special creation, man.
THE
DEVIL REJOICED OVER ADAM & EVE'S FEAR & TERROR
Evil
satisfaction filled the devil's heart as he observed Adam & Eve's
plight, their complete confusion, perplexity, fear and terror.
Adam
& Eve heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the
cool of the day. God said, "Adam, where art thou? ADAM,
WHERE ART THOU?"
As
God called Adam that day, He is still calling you and me. "John,
where are you? Mary, where are you?"
Adam
answered, "We are hiding, we are naked, we are afraid"!
God questioned, "Who told you that you were naked? You were
clothed with My glory. Have you eaten of the fruit that I forbad
you"?
Adam
gave a typical answer from a typical sinner! Adam said, "The
woman you gave me, she gave me of the fruit. It is Eve's fault, she
gave me the forbidden fruit and it's really Your fault, Lord, because You
gave me the woman".
EVERYONE
LIKES TO PASS THE BLAME TO SOMEONE ELSE
It
seems normal for people to justify themselves. It's much easier to
pass the buck, or to blame someone else rather than take the blame,
saying, "I made a mistake, I am wrong, please forgive me."
It's
similar to the preacher who enjoyed portraying woman in a negative way.
One Sunday morning as he was preaching on 'The Fall of Man', he vigorously
attacked Eve. If Eve, the weaker vessel, hadn't fallen, the world
wouldn't be in the mess it's now in. The preacher nailed Jezebel and
Delilah. "Women are the ruination of many good men", he
shouted.
At
the close of the service, the minister stood at the door shaking hands.
Some complimented him on a wonderful sermon, while others were glad to get
out the door.
A
tall lady shook his hand and she wasn't smiling. She squeezed his
hand until he said, "Woman, you are hurting me". She
looked him square in the eye and asked, "Pastor, what is the
telephone number of the Garden of Eden"?
He
answered, "I don't know what you are talking about". She
squeezed his hand again until he said, "Ouch". She spoke
again, "Pastor, do you know the telephone number of the Garden of
Eden"? He answered, "Woman, I do not and by the way you
are hurting me." She said, "Well, I know the telephone
number of the Garden of Eden. It's Adam 8-1-2", and she let go
of his hand and left.
Adam
ate one too! Eve wasn't the only one to blame. Adam also
disobeyed God, but really the blame goes into further - straight to the
evil one, the devil (Satan).
THE
DEVIL IS TO BLAME
God
didn't argue with Adam. He turned to Eve and said, "Woman,
what is this that thou hast done?" Eve made more sense than
her husband. She put the blame where it belong. "The
serpent beguiled me and I did eat."
I
agree with Eve. Satan (the devil) is the culprit. The devil is
to blame for all the sin, fear, heartbreak, divorce, alcoholism, drug
addiction and juvenile delinquency. He is the architect of all that
is evil, wicked and destructive. Riots, anarchy, thievery, murder,
sickness, disease and war are the outcroppings and results of his plans,
goals, purposes and seduction.
SATAN
(the devil) IS TO BLAME. Shout it loud and clear - the devil is the
troublemaker.
JESUS
CALLED THE DEVIL A LAIR & MURDERER
Jesus
called him a liar, deceiver, murdered and thief. (John 8:44; John
10:10) Our Lord said, "The thief cometh not for to steal,
kill and destroy. I am come that they might have life and more
abundantly." (John 10:10)
YES
- THE DEVIL IS TO BLAME FOR ALL SIN
God
said, "THE SEED OF THE WOMAN SHALL BRUISE THE SERPENT'S HEAD."
Almighty
God called out "Because thou hast done this, cursed art thou among
all the beasts of the field. Upon thy belly shalt thou go all the
days of thy life..." (Genesis 3:14-15)
It
is noteworthy that some scientists believe that at one time serpents and
snakes walked upright and didn't crawl on their bellies as today.
"And
I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed (the
wicked) and her seed (the righteous). It (Jesus, the seed of the
woman) shall bruise thy head..."
JESUS
DEFEATED THE DEVIL WITH HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS
On
Golgotha's Hill, Jesus defeated the devil. When Jesus paid the
supreme sacrifice for the sins of the world, and rose again from the dead.
He had delivered the death blow to Satan.
When
Jesus cried, "It is finished", He had defeated Satan (the devil)
and since that very hour the blood of Jesus Christ washes away all the
sins of the repentant sinner, and His stripes bring healing to the
believing, sick person..
The
Bible says, "He (Jesus) was wounded for our transgressions, He was
bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him;
and by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
WHY
DID JESUS COME INTO THE WORLD?
The
Bible says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have
everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn
the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John
3:16-17) Hallelujah.
The
Bible says: "Neither is there salvation through any other, for
there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby you may be
saved, but by the Name of Jesus"! (Acts 4:12) "There is
one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus." (1
Timothy 2:5)
JESUS
CAME THAT WE MIGHT HAVE LIFE
Jesus
said, "I am come that they might have life and have it more
abundantly." (John 10:10) And St. John stated:
"For this purpose was the Son of God manifested that He might destroy
the works of the devil". (1 John 3:8) The Scripture says, "When
the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with
devils: and He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that
were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the
prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our
sicknesses." (Matthew 8:16-17)
WHAT
DID ISAIAH PROPHESY?
Hear
it and hear it well: "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He
was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was
upon Him (Jesus) and by His stripes we are healed."! (Isaiah 53:5)
The
Bible says, "Who His own self (Jesus) bare our sins in His own
body on the tree (cross) that we, being dead to sins should live unto
righteousness, by Whose stripes ye were (at the cross) healed"!
(1 Peter 2:24) "He that believeth on the Son hath
everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life;
but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36)
THERE
IS ONLY ONE WAY - JESUS CHRIST IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH & THE LIFE
Jesus
said, "I am the way, the truth and the life and no man cometh unto
the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) Again our blessed
Saviour said, "I am the door, by Me if any man enter in, he
shall be saved..." (John 10:9) Again He said, "Come
unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you
rest." (Matthew 11:28)
WHY
DID JESUS HAVE TO DIE?
The
Bible says, "Without the
shedding of blood there is no remission for sins."
(Hebrews 9:22) "It is the blood that maketh atonement for
the soul." (Leviticus 17:11) Again, "The
soul that sinneth it shall surely die." (Ezekiel
18:20)
In
Old Testament times, an animal - without spot or blemish - would be
sacrificed, spilling his blood. (Atonement means "covering")
AS THE LAMB DIED ON THE ALTER IN THE TEMPLE, JESUS THE LAMB OF GOD, DIED
ON THE CROSS TO PAY FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD.
The
Scripture says, "If we walk in
the light as He is in the light we have fellowship one with the other, and
the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (John
1:7)
Jesus
is the Lamb of God, Who was slain for our sins! "One of the
elders saith unto me, weep not: behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the
Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven
seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the
throne...stood a lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven
eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
And
He came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the
throne. And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and
twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps
and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints."
"And
they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to
open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by
thy blood of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;....Worthy
is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and
strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."
"And
every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth,
and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying,
Blessing, and honour, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."
(Revelation 5:5-13)
JESUS
SPOILED SATAN'S KINGDOM
The
Bible says, "And you, being dead in your sins and the
uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having
forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances
that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way,
nailing it to His cross, and having spoiled principalities and powers, He
made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians
2:12-15) Oh, Praise God.
We
serve a risen Saviour, he's in the world today. I know that
He is living, whatever men may say...
I see His hand of mercy....I hear His voice of cheer....And just
the time I need Him....He's always near.
He
lives....He lives...Christ Jesus lives today.
He walks with me and talks with me, along life's narrow way.
He
lives...He lives....Salvation to impart....
You ask me how I know He lives....He lives...within my heart.
What
power! What might! What strength, and what great ability Jesus
has. St. Paul brings it out so graphically in his epistles.
Drink in these truth and be set free and filled with all knowledge, joy
and Holy Ghost power.
"The
eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the
hope of His calling, and what the riches of glory of His inheritance in
the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward
who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He
wrought in Christ, when he raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His
own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and
power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in
this world, but also in that which is to come. And hath put all
things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the
church." (Ephesians
1:18-22)
The
Bible says, "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in
us." (Ephesians 3:20)
St.
Paul writes, "Who (God) hath delivered us from the power of
darkness (Satan) and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son
(Jesus Christ) IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, even the
forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13)
In
referring to Jesus, John the Baptist made the startling statement, "Behold
the Lamb of God which taketh away from the sins of the world."
(John 1:29) To this agree the angel's words to Joseph, "Ye
shall call His name Jesus (Salvation) for He shall save (salvage) His
people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
"Let
this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself
of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in
the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled
Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore
God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name is above every
name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven
and in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
(Philippians 2:5-11)
THIS
DAY IS THE SCRIPTURE FULFILLED
The
book of Isaiah is called the "Gospel of the Old Testament".
The 53rd chapter prophecies the death of Messiah Who would bring
forgiveness and healing to His people. Isaiah 7:14 speaks of His
virgin birth; Isaiah 9:6 speaks of His Kingship and the fact that He is
very God; Isaiah 28:11-12 foretells the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the
end-time phenomena of glossalalia, or "speaking with other
tongues" as a gift of God to bring stability, rest and peaceful
strength to the Church in times of pressure and tension. Isaiah
61:1-3 prophecies the Gospel Age of His salvation with forgiveness,
healing, deliverance and joy!
"And
he came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was,
He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And
when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written,
"The
Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because he hath anointed Me to preach the
gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach
deliverance to the captives, the recovering of sight to the blind, to set
at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the
Lord."
"And
He closed the book, and He gave it again to the minister and sat down.
And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on Him.
And He began to say unto them, This day is the scripture fulfilled in your
ears." (Luke 4:16--21)
Jesus
entered the synagogue in Nazareth and read from Isaiah the Prophet.
He ended the reading by saying, "This day is this scripture
fulfilled in your ears". He declared Himself the Son of God and
Jewish Messiah by those words.
The
year of Jubilee could not begin until first the Great Day of Atonement had
taken place. He would die on the cross like the lambs died on the
alters of Jerusalem because He is the Lamb of God which taketh away the
sins of the world." (John 1:29)
He
would fulfill the Old Testament 'Great Day of Atonement' when the high
priest entered into the Holy of holies with the blood of the sacrificial
animal. Jesus was not only the sacrifice but also the high priest
Who carried His own blood into the Holy of holies in Heaven itself.
(Hebrews 9:11-14)
The
scapegoat (Leviticus 16:7-21) is also a type of Jesus carrying away our
sins. He is our substitute! Every 50th year Israel celebrated
the 'fear of Jubilee' when all the prisoners and slaves were freed and
debts were forgiven. This is a picture of the Gospel Age when
everyone is set free by the blood of Christ and His everlasting Gospel!
THEY WERE OFFENDED IN HIM.
My
dear friend, Let me admonish you to receive him into your heart and life
as your Lord, Saviour, Redeemer, Healer, Baptizer and King.
JESUS
CAME TO SEEK & SAVE THE LOST
Jesus
said, "I am come to seek and save that which was lost." (Luke
19:10) You are included in that number, for "All have sinned and
come short of the glory of God". (Romans 3:23) You say, 'I
cannot live a Christian life in my own strength'!
You
are absolutely right. You can't do it in your own power, but He will
change you and give you the power to live for Him.
The
Bible say: "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.
But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of
God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:11-12)
Jesus
promised, "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is
come upon you...." (Acts 1:8) Finally Jesus said, "I will
never leave thee nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5) "...and
lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew
28:20)
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