The Substitution of the Body of Christ

1. Jesus hands.

1) During Jesus death, the Romans took a 6-7 inch tapered iron spike and drove it through his wrist.

2) This pierced the median nerve causing great pain and the inability to use His hand.

3) The same hands that were used for . . .

a. Healing (Mark 6:5).

b. Blessing little children (Matthew19:13)

c. Praying to the father (Luke 24:50).

d. Washing the disciples feet (John 13:5).

e. Many mighty works (Mark 6:2).

f. Jesus hands were hands that did good works.

g. These hands were taken away so that we might use OUR hands for Him.

2. Our hands.

1) We have the same hands that Jesus had physiologically. What are we doing with our hands today?

2) Are our hands ministering hands? Paul wrote, “Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.” (Acts 20:24).

3) Are our hands, hands of fellowship? “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.” (Gal.2:9).

4) Are our hands, hands of benevolence? “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Ephesians4:28)

5) Are our hands praying hands? “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” (1 Tim.2:8)

6) James writes that we need to be doers of the word and not hearers only. James 1:25.

3. In light of the sacrifice of Jesus’ hands, how are you using your hands today?

4. Let us determine to use our hands in the way that Jesus would use His for He gave His hands for ours.

1. Jesus feet.

1) Another 6-9 inch spike was taken and placed between the second and third metatarsals in Jesus feet.

2) This severely injured both the peroneal and lateral plantar nerve and artery causing severe pain.

3) The artery pierced would allow much blood to flow out of the feet.

4) In a matter of minutes the feet would no longer be able to function.

5) These were the same feet . . .

a. At which multitudes cast their sick to be healed (Matthew15:30).

b. At which the disciples worshipped him (Matthew28:9).

c. That went and ate in the houses of publicans and sinners (Matthew 9:10, 11).

d. That were washed by a prostitute woman (Luke 7:36-40).

e. At which the word of God was taught (Luke 10:39).

f. Jesus feet were feet that went to preach the gospel to sinners.

2. Our feet.

1) What are we doing with our feet today?

2) Are our feet being guided by God’s word? “To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:79).

3) Are we using our feet to walk in the steps of Christ? “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” (1 Peter 2:21).

4) Have we prepared ourselves to teach the gospel to others? “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” (Ephesians6:15).

5) Are we using our feet to preach the gospel of Christ? “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15).

6) Our feet need to be used to go forth into the world and preach the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20).

3. In light of the sacrifice of Jesus feet, how are you using your feet today?

4. Let us determine to use our feet in the way that Jesus would have used His, for He gave His for ours.

1. Jesus heart.

1) Very soon after the death of Jesus on the cross, a Roman soldier would come by.

2) This soldier was skilled in the art of death.

3) His purpose was to break Jesus legs if he were not already dead, but he found him dead.

4) To ensure Jesus’ death the solider took a spear and pierced Jesus’ side.

5) This spear likely went through Jesus’ right lung and right ventricular wall of Jesus heart.

6) John writes, “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.” (John 19:34).

7) While we understand that the blood pumping muscle that was Jesus heart was not His mind, its piercing represented the piercing of a far more precious commodity–His spirit.

a. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief according to Isaiah (53:3).

b. He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5).

c. The chastisement of our iniquities was upon Him (Isaiah 53:5).

d. Jesus heart was pierced for our sins.

2. Our heart.

1) What are we doing with our heart today?

2) Are we responding to God’s word properly with our heart? Jesus said, “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” (Luke 8:15).

3) Are using our heart to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace ? “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,” (Acts 2:46).

4) Are we drawing near with a true heart? “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22).

5) Are we loving one another with a pure heart? “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:”

6) Are we loving God with all our heart? “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37).

7) More than anything, God wants us to give Him our heart. If the heart is dedicated there will be no question as to whether the rest of us is dedicated.

3. In light of the sacrifice of Jesus heart, how are you using your heart today?

4. Let us determine to use our heart in a way that Jesus would have used His for He gave His heart for ours.