Derek Prince - Jesus Became A Curse, So That We Might Receive The Blessing
Release from the Curse. And this contains truths which God has been teaching me largely, I would say, in the last five years. Truths which have revolutionized my own life and the lives of countless other people to whom I’ve been privileged to minister this truth. In some areas where I’ve ministered, when I have asked people at the end of the message if they want to avail themselves of what God offers through this truth, I would say ninety-five percent of the people have responded. And we have seen the most dramatic changes in people.
I remember speaking in Zambia in central Africa several years ago now. I taught this theme and at the end a man came up to me, and Africans are basically not wealthy, but he was a well dressed, educated man. He threw himself on the ground at my feet and would have kissed my feet if I would have allowed him to. Then he stood up (and he was probably about forty years of age), and he said: All my life I’ve been in pain and I’ve been miserable. I haven’t known one happy day. But he said: Since I prayed that prayer with you, everything has changed in me. I’m totally free from pain, I’m a different person.
So, this is a message that has power. It’s appropriate to turn to Galatians chapter 3, verses 13 and 14 as a basis for this message. Galatians 3:13-14: Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one who hangs on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Those verses reveal an exchange that took place when Jesus hung on the cross. It states in the Old Testament in the book of Leviticus that anyone who dies by hanging on a tree is a curse. And so when Jesus hung on the tree that was the cross He became a curse. What took place was a divinely ordained exchange which is clearly stated in these verses.
Jesus took upon Himself the curse, every curse, due to us that we might be redeemed from the curse and enter into the blessing which God has prepared for His people. So there is a very simple practical exchange. Jesus became a curse that we might receive the blessing. In order to make this real to you I invite you to join with me in saying that. And I’d like you to use your hands; your left hand for the bad thing, your right hand for the good thing. Watch me once and then we’ll do it together. Jesus became a curse that we might receive the blessing. Okay? Now remember, your left hand is opposite my right so don’t get confused by me. And don’t hit your neighbor on the nose but just do it tactfully! Are you ready? Jesus became a curse that we might receive the blessing.