This page is from excerpts from my book, because I lovE You

We as Christians are never helpless. Christ paid the price for us to have not only eternal life but also an abundant life here on earth. His blood was shed for the forgiveness of sin (our spiritual wholeness). His body was wounded for our physical wholeness. Physical health and healing are a part of our salvation.

JOHN 10:10 The thief only comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

MATTHEW 8:17b TPT He put upon himself our weaknesses, and he carried away our diseases and made us well.

Jesus accepted all of the sin and sickness of all mankind in His own body. He endured all our ailments on the cross so we wouldn’t have to. Every stripe, piercing, bruise, and wound paid for our healing from every physical or mental infirmity, even a broken heart.

I PETER 2:24 TPT He himself carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we would be dead to sin and live for righteousness. Our instant healing flowed from his wounding.

Many times the benefit of Christ’s broken body is not acknowledged. Even when communion is given, this healing aspect of our salvation is often left out. If it weren’t important, Christ wouldn’t have included it in the last supper.

I CORINTHIANS 11:23-30 TPT I have handed down to you what came to me by revelation from the Lord himself. The same night in which he was handed over, he took bread and gave thanks. Then he distributed it to the disciples and said, “Take it and eat your fill. It is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” He did the same with the cup of wine after supper and said, “This cup seals the new covenant with my blood. Drink it –and whenever you drink this, do it to remember me.” 

Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are retelling the story, proclaiming our Lord’s death until he comes. For this reason, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in the wrong spirit will be guilty of dishonoring the body and blood of the Lord. So let each individual first evaluate his own attitude and only then eat the bread and drink the cup. For continually eating and drinking with a wrong spirit will bring judgment upon yourself by not recognizing the body.

As we just read, we need to make the distinction of the Lord’s body as well as His shed blood; both represent very important aspects of our salvation. To not acknowledge what His body accomplished for us is to eat it with a wrong spirit or irreverently. I don’t think we could ever comprehend the extent of the suffering He endured. He was violently tortured and tormented by people and evil spirits. He was taunted, ridiculed, and scourged for our physical wholeness. He took the punishment we deserved upon His beautiful body. His perfect sinless blood was shed for our spiritual wholeness. When he cried out, “FINISHED,” His redemptive work was complete. 

JOHN 6:51 TPT I alone am this living Bread that has come to you from heaven. Eat this Bread and you will live forever. The living Bread I give you is my body, which I will offer as a sacrifice so that all may live.” 

56 The one who eats my body and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in him.

ISAIAH 53:5 But he was wounded (tormented) for OUR transgressions; he was bruised for OUR iniquities: and the chastisement of OUR peace was upon him; and with his stripes WE ARE HEALED.

When Moses was sent to deliver the children of Israel from the bondage of the Egyptians, he repeatedly asked the Pharaoh to let his people go. Pharaoh’s continued refusal brought ten plagues upon Egypt. The final plague was that the angel of death would pass through the land and kill the firstborn of every household. To provide protection for the people of Israel, they were instructed to sacrifice a lamb without spot or blemish, and paint the blood on the doorposts of the house. The blood proved a sacrifice had been offered and God’s protection would not allow the destroyer to enter. It would have to “pass over” that home. There are two important aspects of this lamb: its flesh and its blood. The flesh was to be eaten. In reality it brought physical wholeness to the Israelites. When they left Egypt, there was “not one feeble person among them” (Psalm 105:37), and they carried with them the treasures of Egypt. The shedding of the lamb’s blood was for atonement or the covering of sin and protection. 

Jesus Christ was our Passover Lamb. His flesh was tortured for our healing; his blood was shed for forgiveness of our sins and brought us eternal life. When Jesus partook of the bread and the wine, He was celebrating Passover. The Feasts of the Lord are dress rehearsals for real events. Passover (Easter) is the feast that His death would be fulfilling. This is definitely a time we should take communion. But, Jesus’ instructions were, “AS OFTEN as you eat this bread, and drink this cup,” to do it in remembrance of Him. I think it is a blessing to try to remember Jesus’ sacrifice every time we eat and drink. In Acts, Chapter 2, it says they broke bread daily. If you are hurting or need healing, partake in communion as often as you feel led. If your healing isn’t immediate, continue taking it. Picture Jesus carrying your sickness on His cross and declare, “Through Christ’s stripes I am healed.” Be reminded of I John 4:17, where it says, “As he is, so are we in this world.” Is Christ sick now; does He have any diseases now? Absolutely not! 

The word communion means intimacy. The veil that prevented us from entering the holy of holies was ripped from the top to the bottom after Jesus died on the cross. This gave us direct access to the presence of God. Now we have sweet fellowship with our loving Abba, through Jesus. He is the bread of life, our common ground with the Almighty. Revelation 4:20 reads, Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. I like to have a daily communion with my Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It is a wonderful time of reflection and appreciation, simply enjoying their presence. As I’m eating the bread, I’m remembering the amazing sacrifice Jesus’ body made and the healing He accomplished for me. As I drink the wine or grape juice, I am reminded of the everlasting forgiveness, eternal life, and sonship His sinless blood purchased for me. Sometimes I feel inspired to speak in tongues since it is perfect prayer and praise. This is a very intimate time. Many times before, during or after communion I like to play worship songs to express my thankfulness. 

*My personal favorites at this time are Forever and Revelation Song, by Kari Jobe. 

Jesus was the promised Messiah that the scriptures foretold. He was Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. Don’t underestimate the suffering our Savior endured. Jesus could have changed His mind, and chosen not to go through with the crucifixion; but He knew that He had to partake of the cup of wrath set before Him, to rescue the people that He and His Father loved so much. No chains or nails could have held down the Son of God: no army could have killed Him. Jesus willingly gave up His life and endured the punishment our sin deserved: so we could receive all the blessings that His obedience deserved. 

Many scriptures describe what Christ went through during the crucifixion. The movie, The Passion of the Christ, portrays some of His suffering; but thankfully, it spares us the full extent of His torture. The portraits of Jesus hanging on the cross with a few trickles of blood and a stab wound in His side, under-represent the pain and humiliation He actually endured. Jesus could even see His bones through His ravaged flesh. He was beaten beyond recognition as a man; and there was no beauty left in Him. 

PSALM 22:6-8 TPT But look at me now; I am like a woeful worm, crushed , and I’m bleeding crimson. I don’t even look like a man any more. I’ve been abused, despised, and scorned by everyone! Mocked by their jeers, despised with their sneers, as all the people poke fun at me, spitting their insults, saying, “Is this the one who trusted in God? Is this the one who claims God is pleased with him?  Now let’s see if your God will come to your rescue! We’ll just see how much he delights in you!” 

11-18 So don’t leave me now; stay close to me! For trouble is all around me and there’s no one else to help me. I’m surrounded by many violent foes; mighty forces of evil are swirling around me who want to break me to bits and destroy me. Curses pour out from their mouths! They’re like ravenous, roaring lions tearing their prey. Now I’m completely exhausted; I’m spent. Every joint of my body has been pulled apart. My courage has vanished and my inward parts have melted away. I’m so thirsty and parched –dry as a bone. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. And now you’ve left me in the dust for dead. They have pierced my hands and my feet. Like a pack of wild dogs, they tear at me, swirling around me with their hatred. They gather around me like lions to pin my hands and feet. All my bones stick out. Look at how they all gloat over me and stare!

Please visit my PSALM 22 page to read the whole Psalm.  One day after reading Psalm 22, I thought to myself that I should try to paint an abstract of the crucifixion. No one wants to see a realistic painting with detailed gore, but I thought an abstract might help give people a better idea of what Jesus actually went through. Immediately God put it on my heart to look closer at an abstract painting I had already done a couple of years earlier. As I studied it, I was amazed. There was the crucifixion right in the center of that painting.  If you would like to read more about this painting and see more of the supernatural pictures that were revealed in it, go to the PLETHO page on this website. 

Below, I’ve written a sample of a communion prayer. I don’t say it every time. My prayers are usually a lot shorter.  I’m just including it so you can use it as a reference. Usually, you should just pray what is on your heart, not vain repetition. This prayer is meant to be a thankful remembrance of some of the amazing benefits Jesus provided throughout His crucifixion; starting with the mental anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, the pain He encountered throughout the scourging and on the cross, and the hell He endured for three days before His victorious resurrection and ascension. 

Sample of a Communion Prayer

Your beautiful, healthy body was beaten and whipped beyond recognition of a man; Your bones were visible through Your ravaged flesh; You were bruised and pierced in punishment for my sins; and through Your wounds I was healed.

You bore my sicknesses, pains, and diseases on Your body so that I could be healthy.

Your perfect mind endured the taunting, stress, and torment of the crucifixion; so my troubled mind could be peaceful, sound, and at rest.

Your compassionate heart was ridiculed and rejected; so my broken heart would be accepted, loved, and healed.

You were immeasurably rich but became poor and naked on the cross; so I could prosper, have all my needs met, and inherit God’s riches.

You bore my sins and sorrows on Your cross; so I could have unspeakable joy.

After crying, “FINISHED,” You gave up the Spirit. Now Your Spirit dwells within me and quickens my mortal body; I am joined forever with You and my Heavenly Father. 

The flesh of the Passover Lamb supplied all the physical needs of the Israelites. 

They were healthy and joyful as they carried with them the treasures of Egypt. 

How much greater did the sacrifice of Your precious flesh purchase joy, mental and physical wholeness, and financial abundance for me. 

You are the Bread of Life sent from heaven; the Word of Life supplying all my needs. 

I CORINTHIANS 11:23b-24 The Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body which is broken for you: do this in remembrance of me. (Eat the bread)

Your perfect, sinless blood was shed in sacrifice for all sin and brought us eternal life.

It sealed the new Covenant of God’s Grace. Now I receive Abba’s undeserved favor.

I have everlasting cleansing, eternal forgiveness, and righteousness through You.

I repent of unforgiveness, unbelief, or any sin in my life and I receive Your forgiveness. 

Thank you for taking the punishment that my sins deserved; so I would be justified and legally dismissed from my guilt.

Bound with chains then nailed to a cross, You took upon Yourself the curse of the law; so I would have freedom and liberation from these curses and their consequences. 

Halleluiah, IT IS FINISHED! You are victorious over all of the power of the enemy.

You conquered death; so I could have an eternal and abundant life.

You are seated at the right hand of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

Because of you, I am a new creation with Holy Spirit inside. I rejoice and sing praises!

I can never be separated from Abba’s love and have unlimited access into His presence.

I am a part of His royal family, an heir of God, and a joint heir with You. 

I can overcome all evil with the power of Your blood. How can I thank You enough?

Your companionship brings more joy than the intoxication of wine. I rejoice in You! 

The shed blood of the Passover Lamb brought the Israelites protection from judgment and death, how much more has Your perfect, powerful, sinless blood purchased–protection, forgiveness, deliverance, righteousness, peace, and everlasting life for me. 

25-26 After the same manner he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament (covenant) in my blood: do this, as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you do show the Lord’s death till he comes. (Drink the wine)