BENEFITS OF THE CROSS

On the first Sunday of each month, we serve communion to the congregation.  We remind them of our many benefits and that Jesus paid the price for them as He suffered, died, and rose from the dead.  I Corinthians 15:27 says, “He has put all things under His feet.”  Since we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ and since He has all authority in heaven and earth, as believers we benefit by the victory He won at Calvary.  The benefits Jesus has purchased for us include…

·      ACCESS TO THE FATHER:  Ephesians 2:13, 18 tells us, "But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For through Him, we have access by one Spirit to the Father."  When Adam and Eve sinned they hid themselves from God.  Sinful man has been doing this ever since.  In the Old Testament, only the High Priest had access to the Father once a year as he entered the Holy of Holies to atone for the sins of Israel.  A thick veil separated the High Priest from the people and protected them from being killed.  As Jesus died on the cross the veil was ripped in two (Matthew 27:51), signifying that access was now being granted to all who would believe and receive that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.

The Holy Spirit now lives in us, making us the temple of the Lord.  He is our comforter, our counselor, and our guide.  Through Him, we can now pray directly to the Father in Jesus’ name and our prayers are heard and answered by Him. 

·      THE CURSE UPON THE WORLD IS BROKEN:  Jesus had a crown of thorns placed upon His head.  In Genesis 3:18 we find that thorns and thistles sprang up from the earth due to Adam’s sin.  They are a symbol of cursing upon the earth.  Through Christ, this curse is broken.  We now have the authority to command the earth we live in and possess the power to bring forth blessings and increase.  I have heard many testimonies from believers who testify that God has blessed their crops, has brought protection to their property, and has caused rain to fall and storms to cease.  

One of the most remarkable mission videos I have seen was from a rural area of Guatemala.   A village there had been taken over by witches, Satanists, and corrupt people.  Crime was rampant and the village was impoverished.  Even the soil would not produce.  A faith-filled pastor in this village stood his ground against the enemy and he and his congregation engaged in intense spiritual warfare, fasting, and prayer.  Suddenly witches began coming to Christ and getting delivered.  Drug and alcohol addicts began being set free from their bondage.  The black magic practitioners who would bow their knees to God ended up fleeing the village.  The church grew and the bars and prisons emptied as revival hit the area.   The very soil of the region went through a miraculous transformation as God’s Spirit took over the village.  The video I watched showed believers holding up carrots the size of a woman’s arm.  Lettuce, cabbages, onions, and all produce took on enormous proportions.  God not only blessed the people, but He blessed the soil that had been cursed by the fall of man and by the evil practices in that area. 

·     THE CURSE OF PARENTAL AND GUARDIAN ABUSE IS BROKEN:  Jesus received the lashes of the whip which purchased our physical healing.  “By His stripes, we are healed”.  But the whip also represents abuse from those who are over us as authority figures.  This includes parents, coaches, relatives, and bosses.  Famous speaker and minister, Joyce Meyer, is a great example of how Jesus heals the brokenhearted who have been abused by an authority figure.  Her father sexually abused her for many years as a young girl in her home.  The same is true of Christine Caine.  Yet these precious women of God are now healed of their wounds and have victoriously lived to testify of the Lord’s love and ability to set captives free through forgiveness.   The whip Jesus suffered not only paid for our physical healing, it also paid for our inner healing.

·      THE CURSE OF OPPRESSIVE EMPLOYMENT:  Jesus had nails driven into His hands and feet at the cross.  Before Jesus began His earthly ministry He worked vocationally as a carpenter.  He worked with nails.  The nails of the cross represent our jobs and vocations in a fallen world.  Many of you have suffered at the hands of a bullying boss, an employer who was unfair with your wages, a supervisor who unjustly passed you over for promotion, or you might have even been a victim of sexual harassment.  Jesus paid the price to purchase our deliverance from these kinds of abuses and injustices.  If you are facing this kind of torment presently, it is time to bring your prayers and petitions to God.  He will make a way of escape.  He can remove your oppressor or move you into a better place.  The nails in Jesus’ hands and feet have paid the price.

·      THE CURSE OF OPPRESSIVE GOVERNMENTS:  Jesus also had a spear hurled into His side on the cross.  It was used by a Roman soldier who worked for his government.  The world today is dominated by corrupt governments and national leaders.  Instead of serving God and the people of their country or region, they serve themselves as they relish their power and position.  Proverbs 21:1 tells us that the heart of the king is like channeled water.  God directs it as He pleases.   We should pray for our leaders every day and specifically declare this scripture over them.  Look at how Daniel was a prayer warrior and was able to successfully and supernaturally see King Nebechudnezzar’s heart turn to God.   As Absolom sought to kill his father, David prayed that the advice Ahithophel gave him would be thwarted.  God answered his prayer and David’s life was spared.   The spear that pierced Jesus represents the price that was paid for us to be able to influence the decisions and actions of our government leaders.   In this important election year in America, we should be praying for the raising up of God’s choice to take positions of authority.  We should also pray for the exposing of lies, deceit, deception, and corruption in our governing leader’s lives. 

We have received many benefits because of what Jesus suffered on the cross over 2,000 years ago.  

The next time you take communion perhaps you can pause and give thanks to God for some of these.  Do it in remembrance of Him.