1 Corinthians 15:55-57 ‘O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ ‘.

DAILY READING – 2 Corinthians 8; 2 Kings 20-21; Nahum 2

Dr. Joseph Bergeron, is the author of the book ‘The Crucifixion of Jesus.’ He has studied the subject of the crucifixion for ten years. In a recent interview with CBN News, he said until you understand what Jesus went through medically it is hard to fully appreciate just how much He suffered to pay for the sins of mankind. Though it may be tough to face all the painful details of Christ’s death, the doctor believes it can help us love and respect what Christ did by dying for us.
Leaning on his many years of medical practice, Dr. Joseph Bergeron, tried to articulate what Jesus suffered. He said crucifixion was the worst form of death imaginable. The Romans had been using it for three centuries and had well perfected it by the time of Jesus.
Moreover, Romans didn’t like Jews and were anti-Semitic. And so possibly their beating of Christ exceeded what was typical for crucifixion victims. This led to Jesus having extensive blood loss and tissue injury. Shock possibly began to set in even before He reached Calvary. The Crucifixion that followed was the most painful and humiliating execution the Romans could administer. Crucifixion was considered obscene and was reserved for political insurgents, rank criminals and escaped slaves. The crucifixion punished Jesus’ body with a shock so traumatic as to kill him hours sooner than was normal. Dr. Bergeron is in awe of the sacrifice, Jesus made at Calvary. The doctor said it is amazing that Jesus would come on earth to die, and pay the ultimate price to set us free.

Someone may wonder “Why is today called Good Friday? It doesn’t seem a very good thing that Jesus had to die on the cross.’
Well, it is ‘good Friday’ because it is the greatest good that ever happened to mankind. Through His death, Jesus has brought us freedom, salvation and deliverance!
Right from the beginning, the cross was the goal of Jesus. He was born to die so that we might live. The incarnation was for our atonement.
Jesus came to accomplish the greatest rescue ever known to man. Through His death, Jesus dealt a decisive blow against the devil and his demons. The power of sin, death, sicknesses and diseases, poverty, and shame was broken forever. And we have been set free to serve the living God.
When Jesus accomplished His purpose, He summed it up with these last words: “it is finished.”
Finished at the cross was the enemy’s stronghold on humanity. The death of Jesus and His resurrection marked the end of our defeat. It marked the end of the power of death over us.
In Revelation 1:18 Jesus says: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death’.
The key of death is no longer in the hand of the devil. Therefore he has no more right to determine your lifespan. Death has no more power over you. In Psalm 91:16, God says that with long life shall He satisfy you. So until you are satisfied with life, no virus or disease is permitted to take you out of the earth.
Because He lives we shall live also. Our life is hid with Christ in God. We are under a covenant cover. Therefore we do not have to fear and tremble like the rest of the world over a pandemic. Christ has paid the price for us. And therefore affliction cannot arise a second time.
1 Corinthians 15:57 says ‘But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ ‘.
We have the victory. We have been exempted by the Blood of Jesus. This is worth shouting over!. That is why today we bless God and praise Him, for His ultimate love and ultimate power shown to us through Christ’s death at Calvary.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the price you paid at Calvary to set me free. Please help me to live a life that continually brings glory to You. May my heart always pant after You. And may my zeal for Your kingdom never wane in Jesus Name.

QUOTE:
The battle you are faced with today is a good warfare because God has already foreordained victorious end for you. WORDBITE 222