“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
In this month of Easter, it is important for us to revisit the cross of crucifixion and the precious blood that flowed from it. The blood of Jesus flowed from seven major parts of His body: His head, back, side, two hands and His two feet. Each of this flow of blood from His body holds significant meaning for the Christian. There are no coincidences with God.
HIS HEAD: The Roman soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and placed it on Jesus’ head. They also struck His head with a reed (Mark 15:17-19). His scalp was battered, bruised and mangled, and blood flowed freely from His head. The head of a man is the pinnacle, crown and chief of his/her life. Whatever falls on the head whether blessings or curses affect the destiny of the person. Jesus carried the curse of our lives on His head when He was crowned with thorns; thorns signify a curse. A token of frustration, hardship, pain and defeat. Jesus was crowned with thorns and released the crown of glory on our heads.
HIS BACK: Jesus’ back was beaten with scourge. A scourge is a whip with many tentacles that has bones and metals attached to it. It is more of a weapon than a whip. His back was totally disfigured, He became an object of horror through the beatings, and from His appearance one would scarcely know He was a man(Isaiah 52:14, NLT). Jesus needed to shed His blood from His back because of our healing, wholeness and health. He was beaten so we could be whole, He was whipped so we could be healed (Isaiah 53:5).
HIS HANDS: The hands of Jesus were nailed to the cross, the nails pierced His hands and blood flowed freely from His hands. Our hands are symbols of labor, productivity and wealth (Proverbs 10:4). When Jesus shed His blood through His hands, He was breaking the yoke and power of poverty from our lives. He was revoking the curse that God placed on mankind after the Fall of Man (Genesis 3:17-19). Jesus paid the price through His blood to remove poverty in our lives and release prosperity.
HIS FEET: Blood also flowed freely from the feet of Jesus when they were nailed to the cross. God released a prophecy in Genesis 3:15 after the Fall of Man that the serpent (Satan) will bruise the heel of the Seed of the Woman (Jesus), while the Seed of the Woman will in turn bruise the head of the serpent. Satan in masterminding the death of Jesus confirmed prophecy when blood flowed from the heels of Jesus. In turn, Jesus smashed his head (Satan) through the cross. Jesus’ feet was bruised so that our feet will be strong for trampling on demonic powers (Luke 10:18-19). The feet are a symbol of dominion.
HIS SIDE: The side of Jesus was pierced with a spear, and blood and water came out (John 19:34). The blood and water that flowed from Jesus’ side is the double cure for sin. Augustus Toplady writing by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit penned the hymn “Rock of Ages”. The blood and the water that flowed from His side signify the forgiveness and cleansing of sin which is only possible at the cross of Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION: Dearly beloved, for the blood to be efficacious, it has to be shed and applied. Jesus has shed His blood for mankind, it is our responsibility to apply it by believing in the redemptive work of Christ on the cross. Is your faith solely and firmly on the cross of Christ? If not,make adjustment in this Easter season before it is too late. Happy Easter in advance.
Ade(Gboyega) ESAN
http://gboyegae.blogspot.com
www.pittsburgh.net
Monday, April 2, 2012
Pleasing God (March 2012).
The dictionary defines pleasing someone as giving pleasure or satisfaction to the person. Pleasing someone also means gratifying the person. It’s awesome that a mighty God who is the Beginning with no beginning and the Ending with no ending seeks to be gratified by mortal, finite and failing Man.
The utmost desire of every child of God should be to please Him. We are able to accomplish this desire when we first discover what pleases Him and then exert ourselves to do these things in the power of the Holy Spirit. Below are some already known truths of things that please God:
1. Walking by faith: Faith is simply having an unwavering mind in God and His promises. Abraham pleased God by his faith. He came to a state of full persuasion that what God has promised him, He will deliver. His faith was credited to him as right standing with God. What we feed on determines whether we have faith in our hearts or fear. Excessive feeding on God’s word will birth more faith in us (Romans 10:17).
2. Generosity towards others: God is benevolent and kind. He spreads His goodness and generosity to all, even to those who hate Him. Whenever He sees this attribute in us, He is pleased. The scriptures say,” Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:16). God considers reaching out to the needy, doing acts of kindness, helping others, and generally extending blessing to others as acts of worship.
3. Genuine Repentance: The Bible says the angels in Heaven rejoice over every sinner that truly repents on earth. The angels rejoice because they see the joyous mood of God over a repentant sinner. The prodigal son was received back home with pomp and pageantry after having a true change of mind which resulted in a change of lifestyle. Will you make Heaven happy today by repenting and accepting Christ as Lord and Savior if you have not done so?
4. Walking in the Spirit: The human nature work contrary to the Spirit of God in our lives. Those who walk according to the falling human nature cannot please God (Romans 8:8). On the contrary, when born again believers tune to the Holy Spirit within them always to help counter the indulgences of the human nature, this action pleases God. When our conduct is controlled by the Holy Spirit, God becomes the controller of our lives.
5. Witnessing for Christ: Jesus is the sacrifice of God for the sins of the world. Humankind is not saved by good works but by faith in Christ. God needs mouthpieces that will tell the entire world that salvation from sin and its consequences is found solely and only in Jesus Christ. The Bible says the feet of those who declare Jesus saves to a dying world are beautiful. God is pleased when we witness about Christ.
CONCLUSION: Other acts such as a continuous life of praise and worship; standing for truth, righteousness and justice; serving faithfully with one’s gifts and talents, honoring God’s servants, etc also pleases God. May your life begin to please your God in Jesus name.
Ade(Gboyega) ESAN
www.rccgpittsburgh.net
http://gboyegae.blogspot.com
The utmost desire of every child of God should be to please Him. We are able to accomplish this desire when we first discover what pleases Him and then exert ourselves to do these things in the power of the Holy Spirit. Below are some already known truths of things that please God:
1. Walking by faith: Faith is simply having an unwavering mind in God and His promises. Abraham pleased God by his faith. He came to a state of full persuasion that what God has promised him, He will deliver. His faith was credited to him as right standing with God. What we feed on determines whether we have faith in our hearts or fear. Excessive feeding on God’s word will birth more faith in us (Romans 10:17).
2. Generosity towards others: God is benevolent and kind. He spreads His goodness and generosity to all, even to those who hate Him. Whenever He sees this attribute in us, He is pleased. The scriptures say,” Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:16). God considers reaching out to the needy, doing acts of kindness, helping others, and generally extending blessing to others as acts of worship.
3. Genuine Repentance: The Bible says the angels in Heaven rejoice over every sinner that truly repents on earth. The angels rejoice because they see the joyous mood of God over a repentant sinner. The prodigal son was received back home with pomp and pageantry after having a true change of mind which resulted in a change of lifestyle. Will you make Heaven happy today by repenting and accepting Christ as Lord and Savior if you have not done so?
4. Walking in the Spirit: The human nature work contrary to the Spirit of God in our lives. Those who walk according to the falling human nature cannot please God (Romans 8:8). On the contrary, when born again believers tune to the Holy Spirit within them always to help counter the indulgences of the human nature, this action pleases God. When our conduct is controlled by the Holy Spirit, God becomes the controller of our lives.
5. Witnessing for Christ: Jesus is the sacrifice of God for the sins of the world. Humankind is not saved by good works but by faith in Christ. God needs mouthpieces that will tell the entire world that salvation from sin and its consequences is found solely and only in Jesus Christ. The Bible says the feet of those who declare Jesus saves to a dying world are beautiful. God is pleased when we witness about Christ.
CONCLUSION: Other acts such as a continuous life of praise and worship; standing for truth, righteousness and justice; serving faithfully with one’s gifts and talents, honoring God’s servants, etc also pleases God. May your life begin to please your God in Jesus name.
Ade(Gboyega) ESAN
www.rccgpittsburgh.net
http://gboyegae.blogspot.com
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