As we are celebrating Good Friday, which sounds almost like an oxymoron, for we celebrate Christ being crucified on the Cross.
And yes the celebration comes because we know the reason He allowed it to happen to Him and also what He took on Himself while being hung on the Cross.
The scriptures say “This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” (Matthew 8:17)
A fulfilment of the scripture which says.
“Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered Him punished by God, stricken by Him and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:4).
This is the Good News of the Gospel, that He died for you, me and all to create a way to The Father.
As the scriptures say.
…”I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly”. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep”. (John 10:10-11 (NKJV)
Yes there is more to His story, the full gospel and that is yes His resurrection. But today let’s simply focus on His very reason in giving up His life for us: to take on our sin; infirmities and bear our diseases.
This morning in my prayer time I saw a vision of the Cross awaiting us to put on it, all our stuff: sin; disappointment; failures; infirmities and diseases. Unless we do this, it will remain on us and be used as weapons by the thief (satan) to steal, to kill, and to destroy us! (John 10:10).
So here is your challenge today!
1 Spend a moment with your eyes closed, ask the Lord to show you the Cross!
2 Now its your moment to place everything you’re going through or been through on the Cross. Please don’t rush this, as it is a holy moment, between you and God. And in time of equipping you, for your next season ahead of you.
3 Now say a prayer of thanks! That as the scriptures say John 8:36. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
4 Lastly spend some time worshipping Him and giving Him praise.
Father we ask that You will help us all shed the things that so easily weigh us down, and take up Your yoke, so we can truly experience and live in the life You have provided for us – Life and Life in more abundance.
In Jesus name
For those of you, who want to place an offering at the alter or plant a finical seed in the fertile ground of the Lord. Maybe you could contribute in someway towards His House, we are currently building. To equip the saints for ministry, then release His word through them, in a variety of ways.
Below is a link to a secure website, so you can do this safely online.
https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=87bf3759-ef4a-4ae2-ac5d-902b82587e44
Or our bank account details for New Zealand memebers,
Encounter Centre – 03-0481-0007448-000
If you require a receipt for tax purposes please email to info@encounterministries.org.nz
Craig Patten
Founding Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Centre & Ministries