On that Friday, Jesus' disciples thought everything was over with Jesus death. They had followed Him faithfully and now He's dead. All they had was a cross! What the disciples didnt know was that the excruciating pain & humiliation that Jesus suffered was nothing compared to what was to come - the Resurrection on Sunday. Death would be defeated. All who receive Jesus would have eternal life coz we would not experience eternal death.
John 11:25-26 "Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies, & whoever lives & believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?
The cross represents the cancelled curse. There are many aspects of the cross :
1) The Disfigurement of Jesus' face
The Father put the world's sins on Jesus & He willingly accepted this responsibility. He took on our shame for us.
2) The Crown of Thorns
Thorns and thistles represent ruin & Jesus carried upon his head the terrible toil. In Him, we have freedom from toil.
3) The Stripes Upon His Back
Jesus received 39 whip lashes from the soldiers. We can be healed from all pain, diseases & sicknesses. They are cancelled by the stripes inflicted on Jesus' back.
4) The Nails on His Hands
Each of Jesus' hands were nailed onto the cross with a very sharp nail. Each of the nails has a very important meaning.
1st nail - This 1st nail frees us from guilt. There is no need for us to feel guilty as Jesus took this horrible curse upon himself.
2nd nail - This 2nd nail cancels every arguments from satan on our lives. Arguments are created by the curses we have inherited from our family. This together with negative words spoken over our lives are now cancelled.
5) The Nail on His Feet
3rd nail - His 2 feet were put together by a 3rd long nail. This nail gives us victory over every oppression tt Jesus himself had suffered on our behalf.
6) The Spear on His Side
After Jesus died, a soldier pierced his side with a spear & water & blood came out. Medical experts say that when water & blood get mixed tog in the body, it is usually because the person's heart has exploded. We may say - my heart is hurt & my soul is broken but Jesus tells us his heart has exploded so that ours can be healed. This represents inner healing.
7) The Blood (like sweat) at Gethsemane
Hebrews 9:22 "Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness." Just one drop of Jesus' blood has the power to cleanse the darkest & most despicable sin that man has ever committed.
The Encounter gives us a new opportunity to receive the blessings of God after breaking all curses in our lives at the cross which we have inherited from our forefathers.
An encounter with God will confront our past & uproots its negative influences totally from our lives. Every fear, hurt & wound of ours are nailed at the cross. Only then, will we have a more intimate relationship with God, stronger conscience/spirit, love others unconditionally without feeling suspicious, resentful or offended, & stop rehearsing past hurts when we are with people.
The Lord says to all of us ...
Isaiah 42:6-7 "I the Lord have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you & will make you to be a covenant for the people & a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison & to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.