How can we walk in victory if we don’t know, understand or experience personally what Jesus died to give us? There is a huge difference between “head” knowledge and “heart” knowledge. Religion is “head” knowledge. Christianity is “head” knowledge and “heart” relationship with God. As Christ followers it is imperative for us to not only know but also experience what Jesus died to give us.
Christ made nine exchanges on the cross. In other words, in exchange for His sacrifice on the Cross, we received these amazing gifts!
1st Exchange – Jesus was punished so that we would be forgiven. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, the debt of our sins was paid and we are restored back to peace with God. “4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:4-5)
2nd Exchange – Jesus was wounded physically so that we might be healed. Because Jesus dwelt with our sickness, disease, suffering and pains in His own body, healing is provided for us. Hebrews says “it is healed for us” … in the PRESENT tense! Christ has already done the healing word. Our job is to claim it! In my opinion and experience over the last ten years, most Christians don’t get it, most churches don’t teach it and many pastors don’t expect it or believe for healing. 16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities
and bore our diseases.” (Matthew 8:16-17)
Here is a list of the remaining exchanges on the cross. Pick up “Bought with Blood” by Derek Prince if you would like to learn more about the exchanges on the cross.
3rd Exchange – Jesus was made sin with our sinfulness that we might be made righteous with His righteousness (Is. 53:10; 2 Cor. 5:21)
4th Exchange – Jesus tasted death for us that we might share His life (Heb. 2:9)
5th Exchange – Jesus was made a curse that we might receive the blessing (Gal. 3:13–14).
6th Exchange – Jesus endured our poverty that we might share His abundance (2 Cor. 8:9, 2 Cor. 9:8; Deut. 28:47–48)
7th Exchange – Jesus endured our shame that we might share His glory (Matt. 27:35–36, Heb. 2:10)
8th Exchange – Jesus endured our rejection that we might have His acceptance (Matt. 27:45–51, Eph. 1:3–6)
9th Exchange – We now have our new man in place of the old. Rom. 6:6-11, Eph. 4:22-24
These provisions are NOT just to wait and experience in heaven. They are for us to experience here and now! We’re not going to need them in heaven. We need them NOW!
Think about each of these exchanges, then weigh the value and the magnitude of these gifts to us.