THE KEY
TO ANSWERED PRAYER
By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
Preface to Revised Edition
The first edition of The Key to Answered Prayer was written in 1966, during the heat of miracle revival in Asia. It was published soon after I had returned from 3.5 months of missionary crusades around the world, where thousands of souls were saved and hundreds of miraculous healings occurred!
The 10,000 copies we printed were gone in a short time. It is unfortunate, that I did not reprint such a splendid book! Recently, I have been driven to my knees afresh to get more answers from Above, in regards to the awesome responsibility we ‘Men of God’ have in bringing help and healing to a hurting, sick, suffering and disappointed world.
In my search for the real meat, I re-studied the Bible as well as great classics such as P.C. Nelson’s Does Christ Heal Today, T.J. McCrossan's Bodily Healing in the Atonement, F.F. Bosworth's Christ the Healer, and T.L. Osborn's Healing the Sick & Casting Out Devils! And I dug out my old book, The Key to Answered Prayer!
Written under the anointing in a powerful, straight-forward manner, it brings healing results when acted upon! In this edition, I have added much more material and a number of powerful testimonials of God's miracles through this ministry. All praise, honour and glory belongs to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who is The Great Physician!
POWER-PACKED SCRIPTURES
In this "textbook on healing", I wish to share several dozen scripture texts as "Keys" to be used in unlocking God's great storehouse of healing! In later chapters I expound more fully on the verses which I present here.
(I) "Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it." (John 14:11-14)
(II) "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive!" (Matt. 21:22). "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." (Mark
"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God (gr. lit. have the faith of God), For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire when ye pray believe that ye have received them, and ye shall have them." (Mark 11:22-24)
(III) “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you.” (John 15:16)
“And in that day ye shall ask Me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My Name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My Name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:23-24)
(IV) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to Him must believe that God is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him". (Heb. 11:1,6)
(V) "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. "If ye abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." (John 15:4,5,7)
HE SPARED NOT HIS OWN SON
(VI) "He that spared not His own Son, but delievered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Rom. 8:32)
(VII) "Surely He hath borne our sicknesses (griefs), and carried our pains (sorrows): yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." (Is. 53:4-5)
When the even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils (demons): and He cast out the spirits with His Word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." (Matt. 8:16-17)
"Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; By Whose stripes we are healed." (1 Pet. 2:24)
(VIII) "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
"Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone (something useless)? Or if he ask a fish (something necessary), will he give him a serpent (something dangerous)? If ye then, being evil (carnal, human), know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?" (Matt. 7:7-11)
(IX) "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matt. 18:18-20)
(X) "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.
"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come." (John 16:7, 13)
WORKS OF THE DEVIL: SIN, FEAR, SICKNESS, DISEASE, DEMONS
(XI) "...for this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8)
"And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:18-19)
(XII) "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross;
"And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Col. 2:14-15)
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same, that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (Heb. 2:14-15)
(XIII) "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
“And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places,
"Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is the body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all." (Eph. 1:17-23)
(XIV) "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Gal.
(XV) "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:5-11)
(XVI) "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Eph. 3:20-21)
(XVII) “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed." (Psalms 103:1-6)
(XVIII) “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (James 5:14-15)
WHATSOEVER WE ASK, WE RECEIVE OF HIM
(XIX) "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." (1 John 3:21-22)
“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us: And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15)
(XX) "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28)
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." (James 4:7-8)
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)
MAX SOLBREKKEN, Edmonton, AB 1995
Table of Contents
· Preface to first edition
· Chapter 1: Divine Healing: The Ministry of Compassion!
· Chapter 2:Total Healing Through the Wounds of Christ!
· Chapter 3:Exercising Authority Over the Devil!
· Chapter 4:Who can be Healed and Who can Receive Answers to their Prayers?
· Chapter 5:What Sicknesses or Diseases will God Heal? And What Circumstances and Situations will He Deliver us out of?
· Chapter 6:Why will God Heal us and Answer our Prayers?
· Chapter 7:Scriptural & Historical Evidence!
· Chapter 8: When will God Heal us and bring to pass our Deliverance?
· Chapter 9:Making Possible Your Impossibilities!
· Chapter 10: The Indisputable Power of Prayer!
· Chapter 11: I Reject the United Church Report on Healing!
· Chapter 12: Why God Will Heal Us!
· Chapter 13: Where Is Now Their God?
· Chapter 14: More Historical Evidence of God’s Miracles & Healings Through His Church!
· Chapter 15: Does Christ Heal Today?
· Chapter 16: Bodily Healing & The Atonement!
Preface to First Edition
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!
I believe in Divine Healing! I believe in God's miracles, signs and supernatural wonders, because I believe God's Holy Word!
As I have travelled the world, proclaiming God's goodness and mercy in forgiving sinners, healing the sick and delivering the oppressed, thousands of lives have been healed and transformed! Some, however, have received little or nothing at all.
I have been driven to my knees in prayer because of this, and also to the Bible in search of enlightenment; which I have never failed to find in "The Book of books".
Under the inspiration of the blessed Holy Spirit, I have developed a study on the subject of "Receiving Answers to our Prayers". These truths I am setting forth in this book. I believe they will help you who are seeking divine healing or other blessings from the Lord, receive what you need and desire. - MAX SOLBREKKEN WHITE ROCK, 1967
Chapter 1:
DIVINE HEALING
THE MINISTRY OF COMPASSION!
Our world is becoming more like a rat race all the time! "Every man for himself" is certainly a true proverb of our day. Another rather crude but true saying used among some people, especially in the business community is, "Dog eat dog".
What do all these sayings mean and exactly what is happening in today's busy world? I believe this question could be answered in one or two words like "selfishness, greed and unconcern". Very seldom do we hear the word "compassion" used in the vocabulary of Twentieth Century man.
Other words which are almost unknown in the language of modern mankind are words such as grace, mercy, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, humility, forbearance, helpfulness, concern, forgiveness, love and Christ-like!
The busy schedules we all keep, the rush of business, the stress of keeping bills paid, the taxing strain of rearing and educating children, together with the anxieties of sick or rebellious loved ones, the worry of growing old and the fear of dying, has taken a tremendous toll in this generation!
TENSION, STRAIN TAKE THEIR TOLL
Living in our world's large cities with their traffic jams, polluted air, rising crime rates together with spiraling astronomical living costs has added to the tension, strain and stress of this decade.
Many people who have lived for twenty or thirty years in the same house may not know their next door neighbour. Windows and doors are locked and barred for fear of burglars and thieves. Automobile doors must always be locked when parked or driving down congested streets, at red lights or stop signs to prevent someone pulling you out of your car and robbing you on the spot.
Very few want to get involved with other people's problems, as they have too many of their own. Often news reports carry stories of someone being beaten, robbed or even raped while a crowd watched with no one trying to assist the victim. Later, when asked why they did nothing to stop the assailant, they would casually remark, "I didn't want to get involved".
Many of our cities are becoming worse than jungles with organized crime and gangsters ruling behind the scenes.
THE OLD COUNTRY DOCTOR
The old country doctor who was on call 24 hours a day, the small town lawyer who often dispensed advice without sending you a bill, the teacher who felt called to help children and the missionary who gave up all to go to the heathen, are almost a thing of the past. The doctor works in a clinic; the teacher belongs to a union; the Mission Board is folding up and the nurses are liable to call a strike for higher wages.
Even Gospel Ministers are now operating counselling and psychology offices, and some complain about the number of hospital calls they have to make. The church service has to be tailor-made to allow people ample time to go to the lake on Sunday or get at least 18 holes on the golf course before dinner and cocktails.
More and more people are becoming only a number on a card, a customer with money, a patient who will keep the bank account growing, or a church member who will help pay the mortgage!
This world seems to have lost its soul, and in the mad confusion very few really care about anyone but themselves. Even in the church, there is much to be desired as spiritual values have dwindled to an all time low and morals have been "thrown out the window".
Sadly, Satan rides high in the saddle, even in the pulpits of many modernistic clergymen.
SIN SICK SOULS NEED RELIEF, AND THE MINISTRY OF HEALING IS THE ANSWER!
Instead of calling men and women to repentance in this
The sin-sick soul finds no relief from his sinfulness. The sick and despised receive no balm for their sick, diseased and broken bodies, and often those who have the courage and faith to preach this old-fashioned message are held up to scorn and ridicule by other ministers who lack the courage and faith to bring deliverance to their parishioners.
THE MINISTRY OF HEALING IS A MINISTRY OF COMPASSION, LOVE & POWER. Compassion to reach the lost of this generation with the power of God and the message of Jesus Christ. Jesus had compassion on the sinful, sick, suffering and diseased and healed them.
The Bible says, "When the even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses". (Matt. 8:16,17)
COMPASSION IS MORE THAN PITY
Our Lord Jesus saw the multitudes as sheep who had no shepherd and He preached to them and healed them. "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest". (Matt. 9:35-38
Our Lord also had compassion on the multitudes and fed the poor and the hungry. "Then Jesus called His disciples unto Him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with Me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way". (Matt. 15:32)
JESUS’ LIFE PROVED HE WILL MEET OUR NEEDS
A man whose son was demon-possessed said to Jesus, "...But if Thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.
“When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose". (Mark 9:22-27)
The Compassion of Jesus brought Him from Heaven, and brought HEALING to multitudes in Bible times. He still Saves, Heals and Delivers those who call upon His Name in repentance and faith today! He has not changed. His WORD is still Grace, Peace and Truth
"And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto Him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes, and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him." (Matt. 20:32-34)T
he Bible says, "And when He was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed Him that he might be with Him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." (Mark
THE SAME UNCHANGING JESUS
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever and still cares for each and everyone today. (Heb.13:8). He has not changed and cannot change. His love for us all is eternal and His compassion is never ending overflowing to those who calls on His Name in repentance and faith!
"And it came to pass the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and much people. Now when He came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: And much people of the city was with her.
“And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And He came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And He said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother.” (Luke 7:11-15)
Three key words in this scripture are WEEP NOT and ARISE! The same one Who commanded the distressed, sorrowing woman to stop weeping had the power to raise her boy from the dead, by commanding him to rise!
HE IS OUR SAVIOUR, REDEEMER AND LORD! What a God and King we serve. What compassion, glorious power and authority He exhibits! This same Jesus is our Grand Teacher and Example.
The Bible says, "...because as He is, so are we in this world"! (1 John 4:17) Let us always remember that we have a duty to perform in this wicked world as His servants and fellow-workers. We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, (Rom.
PRODIGAL SON STORY REVEALS THE COMPASSION OF JESUS! "...But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him". (Luke 15:20)
Even though the wayward son had gone his own way, wasted his money (his father gave him) and disgraced the family name, still when he decided to return home, HIS FATHER WAS READY TO RECEIVE HIM BACK. This is a picture of our wonderful God and Heavenly Father who is ready and willing to take us back after we have done wrong, because of His mercy, love, and awesome compassion!
THREE REASONS WHY
One reason so few preachers pray for the sick is because of lack of faith and fear of failure. When the blind men came to Jesus to be healed, He asked them, "Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto Him, Yea Lord. Then He touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes opened". (Matt. 9:28-30)
Repeatedly, Jesus said to those whom He healed, "Thy faith hath made thee whole". (Mark
A second reason is that they are afraid to be ridiculed by carnal Christians and cold modernistic and jealous preachers! Jesus spoke of those who "loved the praise of men more than the praise of God". (John 12:43). St. Peter answered the Scribes and Pharisees by saying, "We ought to obey God rather than men". (Acts
A third reason is that they are not willing to pay the price of Dedication, Prayer and Consecration to God in order to be used effectively in bringing deliverance to humanity. It is hard work to seek the face of God, study the Word of God until you fully believe it and pray until you know God has heard you and will answer your prayer!
Ezekiel, anointed by God gave a solemn warning to those leaders in the church who fed themselves, but not the flock and refused to bring healing to the sick! "The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick..." (Ezek. 34:4) The warning was, "Woe unto you..."
LET US FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS AND BRING HEALING TO THE SICK AS WE MINISTER TO THEM IN LOVE AND COMPASSION!
The ancient prophet Isaiah set forth a graphic picture of the coming Jewish Messiah in the 53rd chapter of the book we call "The Gospel of the Old Testament". "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed". (Is. 53:5)
According to the prophets, the Messiah would suffer, bleed and die for His people. He would be cut off in death, but rise again in power! He would be wounded, bruised, chastised and striped in order to purchase our salvation and bring deliverance from sin, sickness and eternal death.
St. Peter records the glorious results of Christ's terrible sufferings as our substitute. "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Peter 2:24)
SEVEN WOUNDS SPELL COMPLETE REDEMPTION!
Jesus Christ received seven specific wounds in His body during His week of suffering and death. The number seven in biblical terms speaks of perfection and completeness.
Wounds according to the dictionary are divisions of the soft part of the body by a mechanical force applied externally. They are classified as: contused, lacerated, penetrating, perforating and incised! Jesus Christ received each of these plus an additional two, by mutilation and falling.
1) THE CONTUSED WOUND: produced by a sharp instrument.
"They shall smite the Judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek". (Micah 5:1) The Bible says, "They smote Him with rods" (Matt. 26:67; John
Very definitely, Jesus suffered pain and humiliation as Roman soldiers beat Him about the face with their rods! Others, including the servants smote Him with their hands. The rod would cut into the flesh, leaving a contused wound.
2) THE LACERATED WOUND: produced by a tearing instrument.
The Romans used the cruel cat-of-nine tails to scourge criminals. On the end of the whip were nine pieces of leather to which were attached sharp ivory or metal balls with protruding nails. As the whip was cracked, it would tear out pieces of the flesh.
Jewish law demanded that not more than 40 lashes be administered, since often the victim would faint or even die during the scourging. The Romans however, did not need to adhere to Jewish law. Crucifixion was a Roman mode of execution! And the Romans always scourged a condemned man before crucifying him!
Some Historians and Church Fathers believe that Jesus Christ may have received as many as one hundred stripes with the cat-of-nine-tails whip. The more punishment a prisoner took on the whipping pole, the shorter was the guard duty for the Roman Soldiers at the scene of execution.
Since the Jewish leadership had accused Him of perverting the people, the Romans certainly had no reason to "go easy" on Him! And no doubt the tough Roman soldiers would have been happy to see Jesus squirm and cry out - especially since he had refused to talk to the Governor!
We do know that St. Paul was whipped by the Jews on five separate occasions: "Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one". (2 Cor. 13:24) Paul was not a candidate for crucifixion, by the Romans. He was prosecuted under the jurisdiction of the Jewish hierarchy!
If Jesus received 39 stripes in Pilate's Judgment Hall, that would have inflicted a total of 351 gashes on His lacerated back. If He received more than 39 stripes, the gashes would have been more numerous!
HIS WOUNDS PURCHASED OUR HEALING; SPIRITUAL, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL
The Old Testament prophet declared, "The ploughers ploughed upon My back. They made long furrows." (Ps. 129:3) Seven hundred and fifty years before, Isaiah had prophesied concerning the Messiah, "I gave My back to the smiters" (Is. 50:6)
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." (Is. 53:5)
The Bible says, "Then Pilate therefore took Jesus and scourged Him" (Matt. 27:20; John 19:1) Prisoners who were scourged usually lost a lot of blood and sometimes fainted. Jesus suffered the agonizing and brutal scourging for us!
3) THE PENETRATING WOUND: a deep wound caused by a sharp, pointed instrument.
The crown of thorns that was pressed upon the head of Jesus caused such wounds. The Jerusalem thorn, known as the Arabia Nebulae, was 4 inches long and as sharp as a needle. The cruel diadem containing over 100 spiculets, was driven into His head with blows from the rod.
The scriptures record, "And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand: and they bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!" (Matt. 27:29)
"Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!" (John 19:5)
It was the Governor’s intention to scourge Jesus and then release him. He had hoped the pitiful sight of a weary, weak and bloodied man would satisfy their blood lust and evoke sympathy for the prisioner! Instead of being satisfied, they craved more blood, crying out "Away with Him, crucify Him, crucify Him!" (Matt. 27:22-23)
THORNS SPEAK OF ORIGINAL CURSE
Thorns speak of the original curse, "Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth unto thee..." (Gen. 3:17-18)
JESUS TOOK THE CURSE FOR US! He bore the penalty for our sins, transgressions, sicknesses, diseases and pains!
St. Paul writes, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Gal. 3:13-14)
In Deuteronomy, Chapter 28, Moses enumerates the blessings of keeping covenant with God. He also lists the curses! The curses include sickness, disease, insanity, torments, plagues, pestilence, famine and war!
St. Paul states: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law”. So we are free! The Roman soldiers tried to drive Jesus insane by beating that crown of sharp Arabian Nebulae into His head. But He didn't lose His sanity but rather through this horrible experience purchased our peace and tranquility.
"And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself." (Col. 1:20) Because of the penetrating wounds He bore for us, WE HAVE PEACE!
4) THE PERFORATING WOUND: From the Latin word; "to pierce through".
A Messianic psalm stated, "They pierced My hands and My feet" (Ps.
The prophet Zechariah foretold of the Messiah's death by crucifixion. "And one shall say unto Him, What are these wounds in Thine hands? Then shall He answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends". (Zach 13:6)
By the time Jesus was born, the Romans had conquered Palestine and crucifixion had become the mode of execution. The N.T. records: "And when they were come... to Calvary, there they crucified Jesus". (Luke 23:33; John 19:16-18)
The Bible says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16,17)
Jesus Christ suffered the torments, agony, pain and death of the most horrible of all deaths - The Death of Crucifixion! He suffered for us. He bled for us. He died for us! And He arose again from the dead, for us!
5) THE INCISED WOUND: a cut produced by a sharp edged instrument.
"But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water" (John
When the Roman soldier came to Jesus, he noticed that He was already dead. The soldier then went on to the thief on Jesus' other side and with his large axe, smashed the femur bone (thigh bone) causing a quicker death.
To verify Jesus' death, the soldier then plunged his spear into the left side of Jesus! This fulfilled the scripture, "They shall look upon Him whom they have pierced". (Zech. 12:10) So large was the wound that after the resurrection, Thomas the doubter was invited to thrust his hand into that wound.
"Then saith He to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless, but believing." (John 20:27)
St. John was standing near the cross and noticed blood and water coming out of His side. The pericardium is a closed sac encasing the heart, lubricated by a small amount of fluid to facilitate the motion of the heart.
Mallory & Wright's pathological technique answers the question, "How could John have seen such a small amount of water flow out of the wound? The normal amount (of pericardial fluid) is about a teaspoon, but it may be increased to 100 c.c. (24 teaspoonfuls) where death agony is prolonged".
Another miracle was that contrary to nature, blood flowed from a dead man, proving that the blood of Jesus did not die but is efficacious even today!
"There is a fountain filled with blood, drawn from Emmanuel's veins, and sinners plunge beneath the flood, lose all their guilty stains."
The blood and water which St. John saw coming out of the side of Christ may also have been the physiological aspect of death. Medical science teaches that, "Blood in a cadaver readily separates into clear serum and red blood cells, thus certifying that the person is clinically dead."
It could be that both of these things where happening at once. Either way, it proves that the death of Jesus was a reality and that there is life through His precious blood!
The Bible says, "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins". (Lev. 17:11,14) "It is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul." (Heb. 9:22) "And the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sins." (1 John 1:7)
NOTE: This is Chapter One of the book, ‘The Key to Answered Prayer’. There are many more chapters that I will release regularly. It will be a dynamic book when printed. It will also contain a number of great miracles performed by Jesus Christ through this Ministry. If you should feel like helping print this book, your help would be much appreciated. Thank you and God bless you, Amen. - Pastor Max Solbrekken
Max Solbrekken World Mission Box 44220 RPO Garside, Edmonton AB Email: [email protected]; comehometojesus.ca; Face Book; YouTube. Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Make donation to [email protected]. Thank you and God bless you.
