The Divine Exchange 3

Divine Exchange 3:

When speaking about Divine Exchange, I am saying the Lord Jesus came to live our life and die our death so that we could have His life. Throughout Scripture there is an implementation that He takes what we have and gives us what He has, an exchange.

 

For example in 2 Corinthians  5:21 “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”

 

Paul says Jesus who knew no sin, became sin for us. HE took from us sin and in return or exchange has given us His righteousness. Isaiah’s prophecy speaks about this particular ministry of the Messiah in Isaiah 61.

 

Isaiah 61:3 “to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful head dress instead of ashes,  the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified”

 

What is implied is the people of ZION are mourning and the Lord’s Messiah is going to take some things off of them and exchange it with what He has for them.

 

• Comfort for mourning,
• beauty for ashes,
• joy instead sadness,
• garments of praise instead of spirit of despair.

 

In the New International Version it says, He will provide for and bestow on them. I love that because it clarifies the process. The Messiah will make a way for the exchange to take place and will not just give the exchange but will do so with JOY. TO bestow something on someone is like a judge at a beauty pageant awarding the winner of the pageant with a crown. It is a joyful event. The judge takes great joy in giving the prize away, bestowing on the winner. What a joy!

 

After I felt this call into ministry, and it was confirmed by my pastor I really struggled with it because I still struggled with some sinful behaviors. I was addicted to chewing Tabaco, I cussed all the time and I had lustful thoughts in my heart all the time. I truly didn’t think I was ready or even worthy of being used by God. But, the good thing was I just was summoned to pray and prepare. What was about to happen over the next couple of weeks was nothing short of a miracle. The Lord took my addiction and in exchange gave me freedom. Addiction is so different then just a sinful act. It is like being a slave to sin. Almost like you are forced to do it as though you no longer have control over it. Addiction to anything seems demonic at it’s core because it is like you are being controlled.

 

John 8:33-36 “They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ³⁵ Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

 

Jesus tells those who were following Him that if they held to the truth they would be set free. They said we have never been captive, bound or slaves to anyone, why do You talk about freedom. Jesus said, everyone who sins is a slave to sin and when the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Again this is what is seen in Isaiah’s prophecy as what the ministry of the Messiah will offer.

 

Isaiah 61:1 “To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners”

Isaiah 53:7-8  “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, Yet he opened not his mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment:

 

Did you hear it? The Messiah would bring deliverance to the prisoner, to those in bondage and chains. In Isaiah 53 it explains how. He Himself would be bound, would be in chains, would be imprisoned. He took our bondage, our chains, so that we could have His freedom. 

JOHN 18:12 “So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him.”

 

JESUS paid the price for us to be free. He takes our bondage, our chains, and gives us His freedom. Who the Son sets free is FREE indeed.