Friday, April 15, 2011

Easter is about Forgiveness and Healing

Forgiveness is a word that some people have a hard time with, but I think it's one of the most important words in the human language. As we quickly approach the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on Easter Day; for me, the word forgiveness takes on a special meaning. I believe that much of my physical healing in this last year, has been through the CCSVI surgery I had on August 19th and by our Great Physician, God Almighty, through the forgiveness of my sins.

Easter is about forgiveness. Easter is about Jesus. It's not about pretty Easter eggs or chocolate bunnies. It's about new life, through Jesus Christ. It's about the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus died on that Cross for our sins- you and me.

Ever since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve partook of that tree of knowledge against God's wishes, mankind has trying to get back in the good graces of a Holy God. In the Old Testament we know that animals were sacrificed to gain communion with our Heavenly Father. Man sinned, man sacrificied and man sinned again. We just couldn't get it right. Mankind tried for thousands of years to get it down, but we just couldn't get it right. Moses, Joseph, Samuel, Joshua, David, and all the other faces of the Old Testament gave it everything they had, but they continued to sin over and over again and could not get it together enough to have a relationship with God because of their sins.

In his mercy and loving graciousness, our Heavenly Father did not give up on us. He wanted to have communion with his Creation, but could not look upon our face, because he is a Holy God, and we are sinful. So, he came up with plan B and designed a new covenant or bridge if you will, and that bridge was his son, Jesus Christ. Born of a virgin over 2,000 years ago, he was like no other before him. Fully God, yet fully man. John 1:14 says


"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."  

He walked the earth with mankind, and lived for only 33 short years, yet only the 12 apostles recognized him for what he was- the true Son of God.  And from there, Jesus built his church, which is still around over 2,000 years later. When God sent Jesus, he knew what he was doing.

I believe that belief and forgiveness are a cornerstone for healing. We cannot really heal, without believing that God will do it, and forgiving others who have sinned against us. God won't heal you, if you are holding a grudge in your heart against another. It makes sense, right? Why would he? If he sent Jesus to die for your sins, why would you hold anything against anyone else? Are you better than Jesus? We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. But if we come to God, in Jesus name, and confess our sins, He forgives us.

Mark 11: 25 tells us:

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Jesus died for our sins, and by His wounds and suffering, we are healed. Healing is about forgiveness. It's very clear in the Bible. Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins, and through that forgiveness, there can begin healing of the human spirit and soul. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is 


Isaiah 53:4-5.

"Surely, he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought peace was upon him and by his wounds, we are healed."

James 5:16 tells us:

"Is anyone of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of Praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

Belief, forgiveness and healing are all connected. Connect the dots...it's easy to see. The Bible says so. And, I believe the Bible is the Word of God.

The word “forgive” means to wipe the slate clean, to pardon, to cancel a debt. When we wrong someone, we seek their forgiveness in order for the relationship to be restored. Forgiveness is not granted because a person deserves to be forgiven. No one deserves to be forgiven. Forgiveness is an act of love, mercy, and grace. Forgiveness is a decision to not hold something against another person, despite what they have done to you. Forgiveness is totally a God-Thing. None of us deserves it, none of us are worthy of it, yet Jesus died so that we may have it. 

If you want to be healed, spiritually, emotionally and physically, it all begins with forgiveness. If you have someone you need to forgive, Easter is the perfect time to do it, because Easter is about Jesus, and Jesus is all about forgiveness. Happy Easter everyone!

My verses for today are above in red.

My prayer for today:

Dear Heavenly Father:

Thank you for your son Jesus Christ, and what he did for me on that Cross. Thank you for sending him to die for my sins. Help me Lord, to forgive anyone in my life who has hurt me, just as you forgave me. I want to continue with my CCSVI healing Lord, in your powerful name. I believe that I am healed, and by your power I will continue to be healed. Help me to step outside myself and reach out to others who may be suffering with unforgiveness in their spirits. Heal them Lord.

In Jesus Name I pray
Amen