Today the world recognizes the Christian holiday of the Lord’s passion and death on the cross. At the time of his death there was no recognition. There was resignation from His followers. There was revenge from the religious leaders. There was retribution by the Roman government for crimes against the state.
Then they saw Him as a criminal hanging among criminals. Now we see Him as a substitute slain from the foundations of time for the sins of mankind!
Then they cried out of loss of a leader, friend, and source of blessing. Now we rejoice in His eternal friendship, blessings, and guidance!
Then they felt the earth shake and the sky turn black. Now we feel our lives shake and our sky turn bright with expectation of a better day!
Then He was recognized as a prophet. Now He is recognized as God and the Savior of the world!
Then He laid down His life for the world. Now He lifts up the world with His resurrection life!
THIS IS GOOD FRIDAY AND THERE IS A GOOD GOD TO CELEBRATE AS WE RELIVE THE PRICE THAT WAS PAID SO WE COULD BE FREE!
Your faith has the opportunity to release to you an entire aspect of God’s redeeming grace, so that today, right where you are, you can receive Jesus not only as your Savior, but also as your deliverer and your Healer!
I believe that at the same time people receive Jesus as their Savior—when they open their mouths and call on the name of the Lord—they can also as a group or individually call on the name of the Lord and receive Him as their Healer!
When you come into relationship with Jesus Christ you first receive His grace, and in His grace there is an expression of all the blessings that He purchased for you.
Jesus took upon Himself the penalty for what we had done wrong. Sin had separated us from God, bringing death upon all humanity, and with this death came sickness and disease. Jesus was the solution to the sin and disease problem! He did for us what we could not do for ourselves!
Jesus knew His mission. He was set to go to the cross, and on that cross He would pay the price for our sin, for our peace, for our sicknesses, and for our diseases. He took upon Himself all our punishment on that cross. He had come to earth to forgive us of our sins and to heal us of our diseases!
Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice on the cross paid the price for both sin and sickness. There is dual provision available to us when we comprehend Christ’s sacrifice for us.
Even today some are offended by miracles, saying that miracles have long passed and are no longer part of the Christian life. That could be true if God has changed or Jesus has changed, but the authority of God’s Word says that neither One has changed. In fact, God says of Himself, “I am the Lord and I change not”!
Regardless of where you find yourself today, Jesus said, “I will never leave you and never forsake you.” You can come to Him right now! He is waiting for you with arms wide-open!
If Jesus needed miracles 2,000 years ago to confirm the words He spoke, don’t you think miracles will confirm the words we speak today? Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!
