THE BEST DEAL OF YOUR LIFE

Matthew 13:45-46
The merchant is Jesus and the pearl He purchased represents us. He gave everything He had to pay the
price for our salvation.

Jesus had to endure the crucifixion so that the doors of hope could be opened for all people throughout
all of history, irrespective of their race, religious background, culture or socio economic position. Once
He had been lifted up, the cross would draw all people to Christ. Even the twelve disciples had to
experience this revelation for themselves.

There was no other way – only through the death and sacrifice of Jesus Christ could humanity be
redeemed. He knew that when He died on the cross, He would seal the redemption of all humanity.

Paul understood the meaning of the crucifixion more than most because He experienced Christ daily.
The cross should not simply be an occasional experience for us – it should be a daily encounter that
leads us to apprehend all that God has won for us through His sacrifice.

Why did Jesus come into the world? (1 Timothy 1:15)

Who did Jesus call and who received Him? (Matthew 9:13; Luke 15:2)
Why did Jesus die on the cross? (1 Peter 3:18)

Declare in faith: THE CROSS OPENED THE DOOR OF HOPE IN MY LIFE. I KNOW THAT I CAN DO ALL
THINGS THROUGH CHRIST BECAUSE HE STRENGTHENS ME.

I NEED TO HAVE A PERSONAL REVELATION OF THE PERFECT WORK OF THE CROSS EVERY DAY.

JESUS TOOK OUR PLACE

Isaiah 1:5-6; 52:14; 53:3-5

Just like a compassionate father, God looked for a way to save us. He found that the only way to redeem
mankind was through His Son, Jesus Christ. God had to made a decision: either destroy all of humanity
in eternal condemnation, or punish the human race through the person of His only Son.

THE MIRACLE OF EXCHANGE

Being able to picture this in our minds will be a great help to us when we need it most. Because we will
be able to see how the Lord has absorbed all our sin and removed every curse upon us, destroying them
once and for all. When we receive this revelation, the miracle of exchange takes place.

ALL THE EVIL THAT WAS IN US HAS BEEN ABSORBED BY THE POWER OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST AND WE
HAVE NOW RECEIVED ALL THE GOOD THAT HE IS INSTEAD.

FREEDOM AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS

We too were once in the slave market, with the spear of sin hanging above our heads. Jesus passed by
one day and saw us in the public square, His heart was so moved that He decided to pay the price for
our redemption – the price of His blood.
We learned that the Lord sees His children as the pearl of great price. Yet for us, the pearl is the cross of
Calvary. Discovering the cross is the best thing that can happen to a person, because that is where we
find eternal life and healing from every disease. Only in Jesus we find freedom from every curse.

EVERY LAST DROP OF BLOOD

Story of boy and the tree: boy played tree gave him leaves; money and material possessions – apples to
sell; house – branches; want to travel far – trunk for boat; old want rest – trump because it’s all that is
left. THE LORD GAVE HIS ALL FOR US SO THAT WE COULD FREELY COME TO HIM. HE SHED HIS BLOOD IN
SEVEN DIFFERENT WAYS, EACH WITH SPECIFIC PURPOSE:

BLOOD FLOWED WITH HIS SWEAT – FREE FROM betrayal, anguish, pain, and despair
CROWN OF THORNS – FREE FROM POVERTY; curse on earth because of Adam’s sin and allows us to live
in blessing and prosperity
BEARD – FREE FROM LOW SELF ESTEEM; identity
BACK (WHIPPED) – FREE FROM SICKNESS; healing from sickness and freedom from all iniquities
HANDS – FREE TO RELEASE THE POWER OF GOD ON EARTH; redeem us from all evil acts and give us the
gift of the Holy Spirit
FEET – FREE TO WALK IN THE PURPOSE OF GOD; victory over oppression; redeem our steps and become
fruitful so all who lost their way could find it again and so live in holiness, full of purpose
HEART – THE OWNER OF A NEW HEART; “My heart exploded so yours could be healed and emotions
restored. If you come to Me, your life will be completely different”

All of our past is left at the foot of the cross and we receive a new nature – the character of Christ in us.
When we come to the cross, we discover that the arms of our loving Jesus are always wide open, ready
to receive us.

Every drop of blood that Jesus shed had a specific purpose: the fullness of my redemption.

THE INCOMPARABLE PRICE JESUS PAID FOR ME

Roman crucifixion is one of the most painful deaths imaginable. It is beyond imagining its horror.
(physical pain and soul – as if hell was put in his cup, seized and drank it so that nothing left of all the
pangs and miseries of hell for us to endure.

We will never cease to be amazed at the great redemption of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus did not go to
hell but endured an equivalent. That was the price He paid. HE SUFFERED THE WRATH that should be
poured out on us.

Jesus drank the cup of punishment so that it would not come near me. Only He could pay the incredibly
high price for my redemption.

CONTEMPLATING THE CROSS

Love is cross. For the Jews, the cross means curse. It is where the most abominable criminals die.
Crucifixion is the cruelest and most shameful way to torment and execute a criminal. Criminals were
executed publicly and a sign states their crime so others would be afraid and never dare to repeat. Fear
to romans but for us Christians, it is the demonstration of true love, a place of victory, freedom and
refuge and the source of all God’s blessings. The cross was clearly an abomination to the entire world
yet God made it a place of provision. It was there that God removed every curse so that He could give
His blessing. Jesus could turn a symbol of misery and defeat to the greatest victory known to man. How
great and wonderful is our God!