A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day – April 24, 2019
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
Jesus said in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” As for me, I’ve had nothing and I’ve had a lot. I’ve been sick and I’ve been well, and I’ll tell you what I think. Being well with money is a whole lot more fun than being sick with nothing. The choice is up to us. The Scripture says, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore, choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19). What more do we need to convince us? We have been redeemed from the curse of the law, the curse of poverty, and the curse of sickness.
It was prophesied in Isaiah 53 that the Messiah would suffer on our behalf. In verse 5 it says, “And by His stripes we are healed.” In Matthew chapter 8 the scripture in Isaiah 53 is fulfilled: “When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: ‘He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses'” (Matthew 8:16,17).
We also see Isaiah 53 quoted in 1 Peter 2:24, but there it is looking back on the prophecy: “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed.” “Bore our sins” is in the past tense. It says “were healed” because we were healed when He bore the stripes for us. Isaiah was looking forward, but 1 Peter 2:24 was looking back. It has already happened. That means Jesus paid the price! He paid the price for eternal life, healing, and prosperity – all three parts of the curse of the law.
In Romans chapter 3, it says clearly how He paid the price. He did it by His blood. Without the blood of Jesus, we do not have everlasting life. Without the blood of Jesus, we do not have healing. Without the blood of Jesus, all we have is poverty. The blood of the Lamb redeemed us from all of these things, and He is the Lamb.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. (Isaiah 61:1-3, NLT)
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:38)
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3 John 2)
