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If we are looking for internal peace, the cross is the place to start. www.rhythmsofgraceuk.org/the-power-of-the-cross.html Click to Tweet The apostle Paul said that he preached 'nothing but Christ crucified' [1 Corinthians 2:2], so central was the Cross to his Gospel. And for us as ‘new creations’ it is the basis on which our whole lives are founded. The Cross is not only the answer to our shortfall, it is the answer to every question, every problem faced by mankind, for Jesus took on Himself the sin and suffering of the whole world. If we are looking for internal peace, the Cross is the place to start.
At the beginning of this section of the website, we explored some of the reasons why the Cross is so important; if you haven’t already done so, please read them before continuing with this page: |
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WHY IS THE CROSS IMPORTANT?Isaiah chapter 53 is one of the most important chapters in the Bible. Hundreds of years before Christ, Isaiah had a prophetic revelation about what would be accomplished through the coming Messiah. It’s essential to take time to grasp the enormity of what he was saying. Not only was Jesus to die, so we would be forgiven our sin, and be healed spiritually; but also to set us free from the consequences of living in a fallen world—physically, mentally and emotionally.
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Many are deeply wounded as a result of other people’s actions; many struggle with mental or physical health issues, as well as guilt and shame. Each one is the result of the work of the satanic ‘Prince of this world’ [John 12:31], and his minions.
However, Jesus came to wage war, and set people free from every bondage.
However, Jesus came to wage war, and set people free from every bondage.
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
[1 John 3:8]
[1 John 3:8]
We see that battle being fought in every healing, every deliverance, and every restoration during Jesus’ ministry. However, the final victory over the Evil One's destruction was won on the Cross [John 16:11], and is described by Isaiah in the passage below.
ISAIAH CHAPTER 53
Alternative translations of the original Hebrew text are given in brackets, to amplify and increase our understanding of that amazing event:
Who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.
He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of (physical & mental) sorrows, and familiar with suffering (sickness & disease).
Like one from whom people hide their faces, He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem. Surely He took up (removed to a distance, like the scapegoat) our (‘our’ is emphatic) infirmities (sicknesses) and carried our sorrows (physical, emotional & mental pain), yet we considered Him punished by God, stricken (word used in connection with leprosy) by Him, and afflicted.
But He was pierced (defiled) for our transgressions (rebellion), He was crushed for our iniquities (punishment); the punishment that brought us peace (well-being, wholeness, safety, prosperity, peace with God and man) was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. (Literally, 'by the means of His stripes there is healing for us'.)
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted (humiliated), yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
By oppression and judgment He was taken away. Yet who of His generation protested? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people He was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death, though He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.
Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him (break Him in pieces) and cause Him to suffer (make weak, sick or diseased), and though the LORD makes His life an offering for sin, He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in His hand.
After He has suffered, He will see the light of life (fruit of his suffering) and be satisfied; by His knowledge (or, by knowledge of Him) my righteous servant will justify (declare righteous) many, and He will bear (carry away to a distance, see v.4) their iniquities.
Therefore I will give Him a portion among the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He poured out His life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For He bore the sin of many (for the rebellious ones He interposed, came between them and their punishment), and made intercession for the transgressors.
He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of (physical & mental) sorrows, and familiar with suffering (sickness & disease).
Like one from whom people hide their faces, He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem. Surely He took up (removed to a distance, like the scapegoat) our (‘our’ is emphatic) infirmities (sicknesses) and carried our sorrows (physical, emotional & mental pain), yet we considered Him punished by God, stricken (word used in connection with leprosy) by Him, and afflicted.
But He was pierced (defiled) for our transgressions (rebellion), He was crushed for our iniquities (punishment); the punishment that brought us peace (well-being, wholeness, safety, prosperity, peace with God and man) was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. (Literally, 'by the means of His stripes there is healing for us'.)
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted (humiliated), yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
By oppression and judgment He was taken away. Yet who of His generation protested? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people He was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death, though He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.
Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him (break Him in pieces) and cause Him to suffer (make weak, sick or diseased), and though the LORD makes His life an offering for sin, He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in His hand.
After He has suffered, He will see the light of life (fruit of his suffering) and be satisfied; by His knowledge (or, by knowledge of Him) my righteous servant will justify (declare righteous) many, and He will bear (carry away to a distance, see v.4) their iniquities.
Therefore I will give Him a portion among the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He poured out His life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For He bore the sin of many (for the rebellious ones He interposed, came between them and their punishment), and made intercession for the transgressors.
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Have you felt…
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Jesus took it all upon Himself on the Cross; He died to set you free.
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In Genesis, we read that the Lord rested after completing the work of creation [Genesis 2:2,3]. As Adam and Eve were created on the last day of creation, their first day was a day of rest—resting in the finished work of the Creator.
In John 19:30, we read that at the point of death, Jesus cried out, 'It is finished!'. He had completed His task; He had taken the judgement on Himself for every single thing which works devastation in mankind. Then He bowed His head (literally ‘rested’) and died; the Greek construction signifying that He deliberately put his head into a position of rest before death. The Father rested after completing the work of creation; Jesus rested after completing His work of redemption; and we, His new creation, receive internal peace and well-being, by resting in His finished work. |
*RHYTHMS OF GRACE
HEAR & RESPOND to the voice of God
Get really quiet inside. Turn your heart of affection towards the Lord and ask Him to speak.
Whatever you are grappling with, bring it to the Cross right now. In your imagination lay it down before Him.
RECEIVE His wonderful provision
Lord Jesus,
I believe You died for my sake, to set me free. Thank you for taking my burden of……………. so I would not have to carry it anymore. I lay it down before You and receive the grace of freedom.
Thank You that You have heard my prayer, and I’m receiving freedom from my burden right now.
Amen
*For more information on how the term ‘rhythms of grace’ is used on this website, please see the INTRODUCTION TO RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST AND PEACE.
Get really quiet inside. Turn your heart of affection towards the Lord and ask Him to speak.
Whatever you are grappling with, bring it to the Cross right now. In your imagination lay it down before Him.
RECEIVE His wonderful provision
Lord Jesus,
I believe You died for my sake, to set me free. Thank you for taking my burden of……………. so I would not have to carry it anymore. I lay it down before You and receive the grace of freedom.
Thank You that You have heard my prayer, and I’m receiving freedom from my burden right now.
Amen
*For more information on how the term ‘rhythms of grace’ is used on this website, please see the INTRODUCTION TO RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST AND PEACE.
RESOURCES:
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE POWER OF THE CROSS?
REFLECTIONS ON THE CROSS
30 days' reflections to help you grow in faith
30 days' reflections to help you grow in faith
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THE 7 WOUNDS OF JESUS
A Rhythms of Grace free digital magazine:
Take a personal retreat to discover more about how the Cross deals with the issues in your life.
A Rhythms of Grace free digital magazine:
Take a personal retreat to discover more about how the Cross deals with the issues in your life.
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FROM AROUND THE WEB...
[*Please see 'A Note on Resources' below]
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THE DIVINE EXCHANGE
by Derek Prince This excellent booklet, can be downloaded as a free PDF from www.derekprince.com or purchased by clicking left.** Derek taught many times on the same subject. The video below is from 1987. |
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The Cross has made you flawless!
A powerful truth sung by Mercy Me.
A powerful truth sung by Mercy Me.
AWARE OF YOUR OWN SHORTFALL?
See the next page in this section:
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MISSING THE MARK: OVERCOMING GUILT AND SHAME |
RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST
[Photo credit: Wesley Tingey (sculpture) @ Unsplash, with thanks]