Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." This verse explicitly mentions knowledge rather than wisdom, which is an interesting observation. It emphasizes the specific knowledge God has given to His people, which meant not only for survival but for thriving. This living knowledge comes from Jesus's works on earth and is applied to us through faith, specifically through His blood. In any spiritual warfare, our weaponry consists of the name of Jesus and the works He has accomplished for us. Our only connection to God is through Jesus, as He stated, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." God desires us to invoke Jesus in the spiritual battlegrounds. Instead of merely asking God to fight for us, He wants us to exercise the power and authority that has been bestowed upon the saints through Jesus. Many saints are unaware of the power and authority that God has granted them. Each saint represents God on earth, like an ambassador. God has called us to be priestly kings. Saints who do not exercise the power and authority God grants are like police officers who do not exercise their authority to maintain order and law. A truck may be physically more powerful than a policeman; however, when a police officer tells the truck to stop, it complies. The truck stops not because the officer is physically more powerful but because the state has given the officer the authority to command it. Similarly, God has given us authority as saints under Jesus' leadership. Jesus is the head of the church, and all saints make up His body. He paid the price for saints to exercise their authority on earth. However, if a saint is ignorant of their authority, the enemy can take advantage of that ignorance.
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. In the Book of Colossians, we come across a verse resembling a treasure map leading to precious resources. The scripture reveals that unique treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Jesus. These treasures are not typical; God actively conceals them, and only those who earnestly seek Jesus will discover them. Jeremiah 33:3 states, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." The treasures of wisdom and knowledge found in Jesus are incredibly powerful in spiritual warfare. Since God actively hides them, they are not easily discovered by anyone. Access to these treasures is granted only to those who continuously seek Jesus and whom He allows to find them. It resembles a treasure hunt or a game of hide-and-seek, where the pursuit leads to a significant and mysterious reward. When we dedicate our daily lives to walking with Jesus, our relationship with Him becomes the key to uncovering these hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus provides a white stone inscribed with a name that no one knows except the person who receives it. This stone symbolizes the hidden treasure in Jesus and is personal to the recipient; no one else can understand its significance. This unique gift can significantly benefit the individual, especially during spiritual warfare. The hidden treasures discovered in Jesus will activate and create turmoil in the spiritual realm. These treasures embody the hidden knowledge of God, who brought the universe into existence from nothing. They represent the essence of creation itself. Those who reflect God's personality, character, and way of living will have access to these invaluable treasures regarding the creation account.
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 Apostle Paul was nearing the end of his life when he wrote the epistle to the city of Ephesus. He had gone through numerous mission trips, faced life-and-death situations, and endured many near-death experiences in his efforts to spread the gospel. Whenever he thinks about the church in Ephesus, he gives thanks to God for their growth in Jesus. Paul felt a sense of pride in the church of Ephesus and encouraged them to continue fighting the good fight. Before discussing spiritual warfare, he expresses his personal greetings and mentions that he prays for the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation to be upon the church. The Spirit of Wisdom enables the saints to view their current situations and circumstances from God's perspective and values. The church of Ephesus struggled to understand many things. Paul desired for them to receive the Spirit of Wisdom to help them interpret their experiences and be patient as they endured difficult circumstances. When the saints see their situations through God's perspective, they can step back from actively engaging in the struggles and find comfort in God's sovereign reign, though they may not understand from their perspective. The Spirit of Revelation is God's insight into future events, presented with a current understanding of His values. God knows everything, including the future, and the Spirit of Revelation functions like a Spirit of Prophecy, revealing things that will happen in the future but are understood in the present. When the Spirit of Wisdom works in harmony with the Spirit of Revelation, both present and future events can be interpreted from God's perspective, allowing the saints to find comfort in His omnipresence and sovereignty. In other words, the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation is granted to the saints for the purpose of discernment. There are numerous approaches to solving issues and problems when engaging in various spiritual battles. Some solutions may achieve quick resolutions, while others may require more time and effort. With the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation manifesting in a saint involved in spiritual warfare, the Spirit of Wisdom can provide specific guidance on how to engage, including which spiritual weaponry to apply to each target. The Spirit of Revelation can reveal the most effective means to combine these strategies for defeating the enemy. A saint filled with the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation operates like a super radar, functioning at the highest frequency to cover nearly everything happening in the spiritual realm. Instead of solely focusing on the physical realm and its effects, the saint can discover the source of issues and can directly address those sources for quick relief. When encountering demons and evil spirits, each has specific characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. The Spirit of Wisdom can identify these traits in real-time and guide the saint in engaging in spiritual attacks using the power of Jesus' blood. Similarly, the Spirit of Revelation can assess the situation from a future perspective, enabling the necessary discernment to execute effective spiritual warfare. The enemy may employ different attack vectors and types when engaging in spiritual battles. These various spirits may sometimes be intertwined, and the Spirit of Wisdom will help identify each individual spirit by its unique characteristics. However, when the Spirit of Revelation shines light on the same situation, it can reveal that some spirits may not be the main controlling spirits, although present. If only these surface spirits are addressed, the immediate issues may seem resolved, but the deeper, underlying problems remain unaddressed. Therefore, the collaboration of the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation leads to coherent and comprehensive solutions for the spiritual warfare at hand.
After a great victory at the city of Jericho, Joshua began a siege against the town of Ai. Confident in his tactics and disregarding the need for divine consultation, he assumed that, since Ai was a small town, victory would be easily achieved. Unfortunately, he viewed this battle purely through human reasoning, failing to recognize that our own power or might does not win true victories. Every battle Joshua faced in the land of Canaan was a form of spiritual warfare that required direction from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit understands God's deepest truths and is the spiritual realm's creator. Later, Joshua faced a significant defeat, which led him to repent and seek guidance from God. His experience in the battle of Ai illustrates the nature of spiritual warfare. After experiencing great victories, we can become overly confident, which may lead to pride—similar to the "Pride of Life." This pride can take root in our souls, even if we acknowledge that we are crucified with Jesus and carry the spirit of martyrdom. Ultimately, victories are not achieved through our own efforts but through the power of God. As Ephesians 6:12 reminds us: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places." The tactics of spiritual warfare do not adhere to the rules and laws of the physical world. We cannot afford to make the same mistake Joshua made in his spiritual battles. The consequences of ignoring God's guidance can be severe and costly. Like Joshua, we must earnestly seek the counsel of the Lord and wait humbly for clear directions before proceeding.
The seven instances of Jesus' blood being shed empower all saints to access the throne of God and engage in spiritual warfare. Revelation 12:11 states explicitly that the saints overcame the Devil "by the blood of the Lamb." Previously, we examined the different types of blood and their applications. To continue our exploration of spiritual warfare, we must examine the other two components in Revelation 12:11: "By the Word of Their Testimony" and "not loving their lives unto the death." The second element in defeating the Devil is "by the word of their testimony." This testimony is closely connected with the final part of Revelation 12:11, which states, "and they loved not their lives unto the death." In other words, we are talking about martyrdom. So why is martyrdom considered the ultimate weapon in spiritual warfare? The truth is that, according to Romans 8, nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus, which is the strongest bond for any saint to enjoy. However, to experience this bond, the saint must endure through the path of self-denial, ultimately leading to martyrdom. Jesus said that the greatest love is to lay down one's life for a friend. The Bible explicitly states that when Jesus died for us, it was while we were still sinners, in enmity with God. We were enemies of Jesus, yet He died for us. The death of Jesus represents the greatest love God has shown to fallen humanity. The One who died for us created our most profound bond through His precious blood. The six instances of blood that Jesus shed for us testify to God's fulfilled covenant. Simultaneously, these instances of blood represent the ultimate weapon against the Devil. Yet, for any saint to utilize the efficacy of Jesus' blood, they must be willing to be a channel for that blood to flow onto the spiritual battlefield. When the Apostle Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ," he was not physically present at the crucifixion. His confession is based on the belief that when Jesus was crucified, it was for the sake of all sinners. Though he was a sinner himself, Jesus bore the consequences of sin on the cross. Although Paul was not there at the cross, he spiritually identified himself with Jesus at that moment. Because the Apostle Paul was crucified with Jesus, he endured numerous sufferings and near-death experiences. The Devil could not hold onto him, not because he was an apostle or a "super Christian," but because Paul took upon himself the consequences of that spiritual crucifixion. When Apostle Paul was unified with Jesus on the cross, the Devil had no ground to attack him. The blood of Jesus completely covered Apostle Paul, and because his spiritual crucifixion was ongoing, the Devil could not overcome him. The same principle applies to all saints today. Those who do not cling to their lives will gain them, while those who love their lives will lose them. Jesus stated this paradoxically, as those who have not experienced self-denial cannot understand or accept such a spiritual truth. A saint with no attachments to the world and who lives a life that genuinely reflects the crucifixion will be free from the Devil's grasp. This is a life in which the individual actively carries their cross, just as Simon did for the Lord along the Via Dolorosa. Thus, when a saint employs the six instances of Jesus' blood with a spirit of martyrdom, the Devil cannot overcome that saint. This guarantees our victory in every spiritual battle. But why do we sometimes experience seemingly insurmountable defeats? Having an effective arsenal in any warfare is advantageous, but without precision and proper strategy, that weaponry becomes a wasted effort. In spiritual warfare, we often mistakenly rely on past victories and experiences for current battles. This is a serious error, as each spiritual conflict is unique, with varying stakes at play.
Rev. 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. After the Lord's Supper with His disciples, Jesus took a towel and a basin to wash their feet. The disciples were unsure of how to react, and when it was Peter's turn, he protested, telling Jesus that He would not wash his feet. However, Jesus replied that if He did not wash Peter's feet, then Peter would have no part with Him. In response, Peter asked Jesus to wash his feet, hands, and head. Jesus explained that those who are clean only need to have their feet washed. This moment beautifully illustrates Jesus' sacrifice, from the time in the Garden of Gethsemane to His crucifixion, which opened the way for His disciples to come to the Father. As Jesus' disciples live on Earth, they need only to repent and pursue Him, akin to the washing of feet rather than the whole body. Those who have come out of great tribulation have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, similar to how Jesus washed His disciples' feet after the Last Supper. As disciples of Jesus, we must apply the significance of His sacrifice in our daily lives, just as the disciples shared in the Last Supper. We must repent for our sins, as we live in a world where we can face temptation. Therefore, we only need to wash our feet, not our whole bodies, as we are already clean. This act of washing our feet is akin to washing our garments in the blood of the Lamb.
When the sun was about to set, the Roman soldiers broke the two thieves' legs so that they could die before the sunset. Jesus was already dead, so the Roman soldier pierced his side, and blood and water came out. This was done because it was Passover feast day, and for the religious leaders and people to have a Passover meal, no dead bodies could be hanging on the cross. Modern scientists and doctors are beginning to discover that the human heart is not just an organ for pumping blood but has memory and other functions unknown to man. The heart is the most sacred place in the human body as it is the vital sign of a person's well-being. Throughout the Old Testament, God wants His people to follow and obey God in their hearts. God wanted to inscribe His Words onto their hearts. Jeremiah 31:33: " But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people." What has been embedded into a person's heart is who that person becomes. Hence, God wanted His people to inscribe God's law in their hearts. It almost seems as if God places the heart in the same place as the person's most precious place. Jeremiah 44:9: "Thus saith the Lord God; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel." Circumcision was the physical sign of God's people. God did not only want His people to have a mark on their physical bodies but also on their hearts as well. God looks deep into the hearts of man. In the New Testament, we discover the Old Testament's reference to the heart in a more vivid image. 2 Cor 3:3 "Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart." Galatians 4:6 states, "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." The heart is the connecting link between God and the children of God. The children's hearts cry out, Abba, Father, as it is a natural response of the children of God to call out their Father. In the opposite sense, we find it in Hebrews 3:12: "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." If the heart does not respond to God, that person is not of God. Hence, in the same Hebrew, the author talks about the Old Testament reference to Jeremiah 31:33 in Hebrews 8:11 "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:" So it is the heart that has been inscribed with the Word of God is the sign that the person is a child of God. It is natural for children to think and want to become like their parents. In Rev 17:17, "For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.' Hence, when Jesus' heart was pierced, it opened the way for all who trust and believe in Jesus to access God as their own Father. Just like Adam's rib was removed to create Eve, the church was created from Jesus' pierced heart. Jesus is the head, and the church is the body. Just like when Eve was created by removing a rib from Adam, the church was created from the bursting of the heart of Jesus through the piercing of his ribs. The birth of the church can be allegorized by the removal of Adam's rib for the creation of Eve. John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Through the pierced heart of Jesus, we can go to God the Father boldly. It is not our righteous acts or anything we do that gives us the right to the Father, but through the covenant Jesus made in John 14:6, we have access to the Father. Many Christians think that because I have committed a sin or lived ungodly, they cannot access the Father. Contrary to their beliefs, the merit that grants access to the Father is not how holy we lived nor how much we did not sin, but it is the total reliance on the work of Jesus on the cross and the pierced heart of Jesus and the blood that came out that gives us the access to the Father.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are all acutely aware of His sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world. John 1:29 (KJV) states, "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Most Christians recognize the details of Jesus' crucifixion, where He was nailed to the cross for six hours, from morning until afternoon. This event occurred during the Jewish festival of Passover, which commemorates the last judgment that God brought upon the Egyptian gods to free the Israelites from bondage. As God commanded, the Passover lamb holds significant value for the Israelites. Yet, the Jews who condemned Jesus did not fully understand that the Passover lamb symbolized the impending death of Jesus Christ on the cross. At noon, a darkness enveloped the world, illustrating the depth of sin. In those final hours on the cross, Jesus paid the price for the sins of all humanity, proclaiming that the debt had been paid in full. Then, He surrendered His life, confirming that the wages of sin had been ultimately settled. Anyone who believes in and relies on the covenant that Jesus established on the cross is saved from sin and death, becoming a child of God. Immediately following the payment for humanity's sins, earthquakes occurred, and the veil in the Jerusalem temple—dividing the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place—was torn in two from top to bottom. The high priest, who likely entered the Most Holy Place to offer a blood sacrifice on behalf of the Israelites at the Ark of the Covenant, along with the other priests performing their duties, were left shocked and horrified by this dramatic event. The temple shook, and the curtain ripped apart with a loud noise, symbolizing a profound change. Previously, no one could enter the Most Holy Place except the high priest, and even then, only once a year during Passover after he had made sacrifices for his own sins. To ensure safety, a rope was tied to the high priest's feet, along with a bell, to signal whether he was still alive. If he were to die inside, they could drag his body out without entering the sacred area themselves. Access to the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, was strictly forbidden. However, when Jesus settled the debt for mankind's sins, the barrier between humanity and God was removed. Now, everyone has access to the Father through the blood of Jesus Christ. This left the priests grappling with a profound question: Was Jesus indeed the Son of God? If so, what had they done? Later, after Jesus' resurrection, instead of repenting, they paid large sums of money to the Roman soldiers, instructing them to say that Jesus' disciples had stolen His body to fabricate a story of resurrection. As Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ; therefore, I no longer live."
When Jesus was with his disciples, many people followed him. He said that if they wanted to follow him, they must deny themselves, pick up their cross, and follow him. This statement was perplexing and difficult for them to understand. In those days, the cross represented the most terrifying, horrific, and shameful way to die, as the person crucified would be stripped naked and hung on a cross. Even the day before Jesus' crucifixion, the disciples were arguing among themselves about who was the greatest and who would sit at Jesus' right and left hands when he restored the nation of Israel. They had no idea what Jesus would do for mankind and the eternal implications of his actions. When Jesus was arrested, all the disciples fled except for Peter. Peter, the outspoken disciple whom Jesus loved dearly, stood at a distance, warming himself by a fire made by the servants of the high priests while anxiously watching what would happen to his master. Would Jesus call down fire from heaven to destroy those who mocked him and demonstrate his power? Peter's curiosity was not rooted in belief but rather in doubt mixed with hope. When a female servant accused him of being a disciple of Jesus, Peter denied it three times, even cursing. Then, when the rooster crowed, and Jesus looked at Peter, he realized his true self. He had been testing Jesus instead of truly believing in him. Peter wanted to prove himself to Jesus and the other disciples, hoping to witness Jesus' power and understand events in his own way. When Peter recognized that he was testing Jesus and felt fear even before a female servant, he was ashamed and ran outside, crying bitterly. From this account, we see that even Jesus' best disciple, Peter, became a coward when faced with difficult circumstances that could cost him dearly. When Jesus calls us to deny ourselves daily and pick up our cross to follow him, it cannot be done through our own power or will. This transformation requires a complete change from within, facilitated by the Holy Spirit. Later, when Jesus restored Peter, he became a mighty Apostle for the church and ultimately died as a martyr, along with most of the other disciples. None of them considered their lives precious in the cause of Jesus. How is this possible? When a person believe in Jesus for the first time, they are saved by hearing the word of God. The word enters their soul, and the Holy Spirit brings it to life in their spirit. Although the spirit becomes alive, the soul (mind) and body often remain entrenched in old ways of living. Denying oneself is a daily practice at the level of the soul. However, our survival instincts make it difficult to deny ourselves. Jesus' command goes against the very fabric of our soul's existence. Yet, as new believers begin their walk with Jesus through the Holy Spirit, they learn the teachings of Jesus while the Holy Spirit searches their hearts, helping to train their souls to become followers of Christ. We aspire to be good disciples of Jesus; however, we often find it nearly impossible, even with the best intentions. This is where the blood that Jesus shed while carrying the cross is crucial, allowing us to become true disciples of Jesus. After Jesus was whipped and beaten, the crowd demanded his crucifixion. Although Jesus did not sin, the crowd was incited to demand his death. When Pilate washed his hands and claimed to have nothing to do with Jesus' death, releasing Barabbas instead, his cowardly decision and the crowd's behavior reflect how cowardly we can be as we follow Jesus, labeling ourselves his disciples. Peter and the rest of the disciples ran away, leaving Jesus alone to carry the cross to the hill. As he made his way to the crucifixion site, the crowd jeered, threw trash, and spat at Jesus despite having welcomed him just days earlier with cheers of "Hosanna! The King of the Jews!" That same crowd, under the influence of mob mentality, turned against the true King of the Jews. Jesus did not have to carry the cross; it was the cross of Peter, the disciples, and all mankind. Nevertheless, Jesus took upon himself that cross after receiving beatings and wearing a crown of thorns because he wanted to be an example of what he had said: "Whoever wants to follow me must deny themselves and take up their cross." Jesus denied himself, even though he was God, and humbly carried the cross to Jerusalem. Today, you can visit the Via Dolorosa, the path where Jesus carried his cross to Golgotha, marked by seven churches along the route. It is said that Jesus fell seven times, and at each place he fell, a church was built in his memory. As he carried the cross toward Golgotha, Jesus bled continuously from the wounds inflicted upon him. Each drop of blood that fell on the way to Golgotha was shed unjustly because Jesus was innocent. Matt 27:32 “And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.” Mark 15:21 “And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.” The person that the Roman soldier gave the task of carrying Jesus' cross was a person named Simon from Spain. Many scholars claim he was a diaspora Jew who came to Jerusalem on his holy land journey to enjoy the feast. He prepared many years to come to this feast. When he came to a street in Jerusalem, he heard a crowd jeering and in an uproar. As his curiosity brought him to the center of the crowd, he was faced with a man with a crown of thorns on his temple and without any form or shape, as he was completely drenched in blood. As Simon was forced to carry the bloody cross of Jesus, many thoughts were going through his head. What if the soldiers at the crucifixion site relate Simon to being crucified as well, as Jesus' blood on the cross, and probably gotten onto Simon's clothes? There might have been a possibility that when Simon arrived at Golgotha, the Roman soldiers there might have made a mistake in crucifying Simon, as it was a norm for the prisoner to carry his own cross to be crucified. There were no SNS, internet, or phones at that time, and it was a real possibility that the soldiers might mistakenly crucify Simon at Golgotha. Simon's nice clothes and his plan for the afternoon were ruined as he came closer and closer to the crucifixion site. When he arrived, he saw two robbers already crucified and in great pain. As he drops the cross onto the ground, he finds his new clothes drenched in his sweat and the blood of Jesus. This was definitely not part of his plan but forced upon him. As Jesus walked up behind him, Simon saw Jesus' bloody body lying helplessly on the cross and in pain as the Roman soldiers began to nail his hands and feet onto the cross. What thoughts were going through Simon's mind at that time? The soldier who wrote the title "Here, the king of the Jews" nailed it onto the cross of Jesus, and Simon became fascinated with who this person Jesus was. Later, we find out that he and his entire family became great leaders who played vital roles in establishing churches worldwide. Had Jesus not allowed Simon, who did not know what was going on, to carry Jesus' cross, we could have given all kinds of excuses for not carrying our own cross. But because Simon carried Jesus' cross, then he had no relation to Jesus; we can effectively proclaim that we, too, can carry our own cross and follow Jesus. The blood Jesus shed for us while carrying the cross is the power that gives all of his disciples the ability and courage to carry our own cross. When we see that even Simon, a nobody, carried the cross up, we can be courageous enough to carry our own cross. The power of Jesus's blood that he shed on the way to Golgotha gives the reason and power for all disciples to live a life as disciples of Jesus. When we begin to meditate, pray, and apply the blood of Jesus, which he shed for us on the way to Golgotha, we will be strengthened by the power of the blood of Jesus and can receive the courage to carry our own cross.
John 19:2-7 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, 3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. 4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. 5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! 6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. 7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. Jesus was crowned with thorns because he was the Son of God. In the Old Testament, the thorns represent curses. When Adam sinned against God, God cursed the land, and the land gave out thorns and thistles. God ordered Adam to sweat and work to earn a living and ultimately return to dust at the end of his life. Thorns and thistles identify the curse on the land. Yet, when Jesus was being tried, he was crowned with thorns. The Bible tells us that Jesus was crowned with thorns, and the soldiers hit his head with reeds. The temple where the thorn was laid and beaten has many essential blood vessels. A few years ago, I hit my head on a metal plate while working in my garage. When it happened, I felt an intense rush of blood flow to the top of my head, and immediately, I felt cooling on my head. When it happened, my eyes were covered with blood, and the blood was coming out as if I had turned on the water faucet to the maximum. It took about an hour or so for the blood to stop flowing after I had put some pressure on it, but my entire body was drenched with blood. It was quite a scene as my wife was screaming uncontrollably, seeing blood all over the floor and on my body. When Jesus was crowned with thorns on his head, and the Roman soldiers beat the thorns onto his temple, the blood vessels popped, and the blood poured down all over his body and to the floor. Why did this happen? Other thieves and robbers who were crucified were not crowned with thorns. The Roman soldiers did this to mock him, as we find out that they made him wear a robe and gave him a reed to hold in his hand while proclaiming, “Hail king of the Jews.” The blood that Jesus shed when the thorns cut into his temple was shed for the curses that were on the head of every descendant of Adam. The fruit of good and evil was the curse of knowledge. Adam knew all things before the fall, as God shared all things with Adam. He lacked nothing, yet the curse fell upon his head when he disobeyed God. His thinking and decision-making became unclear as his knowledge became corrupted. He had no way of truly knowing the consequences of his actions, as God was not the guarantor of his life. He rebelled against God, and that set a chain of events that led to Adam being in charge of the cursed world. The curse did not end at Adam’s temple but continued onto the land and all things above, on, and underneath the land. As the thorns and thistles gave root onto the land, the animals and other things began to live under the curse. Adam and his descendants must constantly compete with animals and nature to survive in the cursed world. The animals began attacking mankind, and mankind had to defend itself from all elements of the world. While this was happening, Adam gave birth to a son, Cain. The birth of Cain was a foreign concept to Adam and Eve, as Adam and Eve were created as adults. Cain was born as an infant and needed care and attention. Adam and Eve had great hopes for Cain as God told them that a descendant of Eve would crush the head of the serpent and, hopefully, they could return to Eden one day. However, they soon discover their hopes were based on incorrect knowledge and were cursed. Cain killed his brother Abel, and their dream of someday returning to Eden was shattered as the land records the first murder. Since the murder of Abel, the curse continues until today. It will continue until Jesus returns. The curse that Adam was under led to death. Adam is not here; he was cursed and died under the curse. All who have ever lived on earth and will live until Jesus returns are under the curse. Jesus had to wear the crown of thorns and bleed because that blood, which is more precious than the blood of Abel beyond any measure, was the blood of God. God came to this world in a body so that He could pave the way for mankind to reverse not only the curse of death under sin but to give life everlasting. Adam had a choice to take the fruit of life, but instead, he chose the fruit of knowledge of good and evil. This selection was the reason for all curses to exist. When Jesus came and took upon the curse, the thorns on his temple caused him to bleed out to pay off the curse. Jesus did this voluntarily on behalf of all mankind. The Roman soldiers did not know what they were doing when they placed the crown of thorns on Jesus. They did not know that crucifying Jesus paved the way to the salvation of all mankind. Jesus prayed to God, saying, “They do not know what they are doing.” Their acts were the results of the cursed knowledge. Jesus took the curse, placed it upon his head, and took the shame and all the cursed effects into his own body and bled. Therefore, when we rely on the blood that Jesus shed for us while wearing the crown of thorns, we are no longer under any curse. As Jesus said, “it is finished” at the cross. The cruses paid off in full, and those who desired to be under the blood of Jesus were saved entirely from all curses.
