Victory Through the Crossনমুনা

THE REDEMPTION POWER

INTRODUCTION

When we celebrate Good Friday we will think of the cross at the Calvary. The horrible pain, torture, and death that come together to our minds. The suffering of the crucifixion of dear our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. The wrath of God was poured out on Him unsparingly. The gruesome imagery of the Calvary was painted with crimson blood sacrifice, a scene too unbearable for God the father to even glance at. God’s only Son so perfect and spotless was hung on the cross for our sin.

The sins of all the people are now on one man. We called that day the Good Friday because it is the day of atonement and salvation for all mankind. Jesus did not stay on in the grave forever but He rose from the dead on the third day with the power forever to redeem.

DISCUSSION

1. Power to pardon our sins (Col 1:14)

Barabbas, a notorious criminal convicted with the death penalty, was set free. Jesus took over his place to die on the cross. Barabbas represents all mankind who are sinners. Romans 3:10 says there is no one righteous, not even one. Even the high priest himself who was supposed to be holy was the one who initiated the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. All of us need redemption for our sins. Aren’t we grateful that He has died on the cross on our behalf? We were the ones who were supposed to die on the cross for the punishment of our own sins. Instead, the blameless and spotless lamb of God came down from heaven to earth to replace us to die on the cross for our sins. There is no greater love than a man who laid down his life for another. Therefore, there is no salvation we can find under the sun but only in the name of Jesus Christ. Let’s give thanks to our Lord Jesus for his sacrifice on the cross that He shed His precious blood so we could receive the forgiveness of our sins. There is no sin too great for Him that He cannot pardon. Let’s come to him in repentance and receive the forgiveness of our sins.

2. Power to heal our sickness (Isaiah 53:5).

Our Lord Jesus was whipped 39 times by the Roman soldier. He was wounded for our transgression, bruised for our iniquities and with His stripes, we are healed. The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ gives life. When Jesus walked on this earth, no sickness and disease can prevail under His power and authority. The bible mentioned in Matthew 4:23 that Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. He did not heal just one kind of disease or many kinds of diseases but the bible clearly mentioned Jesus healed every disease and sickness. Hallelujah! The blind sees, the deaf hears,  and the crippled walked even the death is raised! There is no sickness too chronic for Him to heal. What an amazing power of resurrection! Maybe the doctor has just said to you that your disease is incurable. Know that His resurrection power is still available to heal you. Look upon Him and put your trust in Him and say to him, Lord Jesus you are my healer, heal me from my sickness and disease, I believe in your healing power and by your stripes, I’m healed in the name of Jesus we pray, amen.

3. Power of restoration (2 Cor 15:18)

When Jesus breathed His last breath. It is finished, He said. The veil of the temple of God was then torn into two. It represents the reconciliation between men and God. Before it was only the high priest who can enter the holy of holies once a year. Now all men can enter boldly into the throne of God to have communion with Him. We were once God’s enemy now we are called his friends, beloved sons, and daughters of God. Jesus restored our status before God not just as ordinary men and women but as king and priest for His kingdom (Revelation 1:6). If only we had known our status before God, we would live our life differently. 

4. Power to liberates us from the curse (Matthew 27:29)

When Adam disobeyed God and fallen into sin after they have eaten the forbidden fruit, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God cursed the ground because of Adam; through painful toil, you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow, you will eat your food until you return to the ground since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust, you will return. This means that the whole being of mankind was cursed ever since the fall of Adam. God cursed even to the root of humanity which is the ground from which we humans were taken and formed. Thorns and thistles will produce. But thanks be to our Lord Jesus Christ who bore the crown of thorns on His head to carry the curse of mankind and broke the curse on the cross. Now we can live a fruitful and abundant life in Christ. Our life can bear fruits for His Kingdom instead of thorns and thistles. Hallelujah!

CLOSING

We can’t thank Him enough for His wonderful works of salvation at the cross. The greatest miracle that Jesus performed was laying down His life for the ransom of many so whoever believes in Him will receive salvation in His name and have eternal life. His power of redemption is still available for us today. The power to forgive sins, the power to heal, the power to restore our status as King and priest before God, the power that liberates us from the curses. Therefore, Let’s spread this good news of redemption to our family, friends, and those who need the redemption power of Jesus Christ.