Power and purpose in the Wounds of Jesus

FEW YEARS AGO, due to a certain problem in my life, A I felt heaviness in my heart and dejection in my spirit. During that phase, I had a vision in which our Lord showed me how He was beaten up, verbally abused, humiliated, and tortured. He also showed me the dreadful scene of Himself hanging on the cross. On seeing this vision, my heart melted like wax. Though there was sadness in my heart, I suddenly realized that our Lord had finished a great task on the cross in order to lift me up and save me from all the attacks of the devil. I also came to the realization that His suffering was meant to be not only a blessing to me, but also to all the people of this world. On understanding this truth, that heaviness left me and a sense of joy came into my heart. I was thankful to our Lord for this wonderful vision, yet I wondered why He had shown it to me—a worthless and useless person. Was it just to lift me up from my depression, or was it for some other purpose? There was indeed a purpose as to why He showed this vision to me. Prior to this, in my heart I had wondered whether I could ever see the suffering that Christ underwent when He was in this world. When I asked God whether it was possible to see His Son’s suffering, the Spirit of the Lord prompted me to read the following verses from the Bible: For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. —1 CORINTHIANS 11:23–26, NKJV Any vision, dream, or prophesy should be based on the Word of God. In these verses, Paul has written how our Lord Jesus Christ, on the day that He was betrayed, had supper with His disciples and spoken to them. At that time Paul was not with the apostles in the upper room. In those days, when this incident happened, Paul was not even saved. Paul knew how our Lord Jesus had given communion not through any of the apostles, but by the revelation of the Lord Himself. Paul clearly recorded in his epistle to us and to the church at Corinth that the Lord Himself revealed this incident to him. The Bible says in Acts 10:34, “God is no respecter of persons.” He shows no partiality. Therefore, God is able to show us even now the things which happened during Jesus’ time through visions, dreams, or any other means. Moreover, according to Acts 2:17, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; . . . your young men shall see visions” (NKJV). Even as I received this vision from our Lord, He helped me to understand the spiritual truths that are inherent in the sufferings He underwent. It is indeed amazing to know the glory and blessings one can receive through His sufferings. It was this divine inspiration that prompted me to write this POWER AND PURPOSE IN THE WOUNDS OF JESUS book. I encountered many tragedies when I started writing. The devil brought continual opposition, but God gave me the grace to overcome each trial. In December 2004, my parents visited me to celebrate Christmas. Chennai is located on the southeast coast of India and was once known as Madras. This is where I now live and my ministry is based. Early in the morning of December 28 my father, who was then 75 years old, was walking back to his room half awake when he suddenly slipped and rolled down the stairs, suffering a severe head injury. Hearing the commotion, we ran out of our rooms to find my father lying in a pool of blood on the last of the steps. Later, a person who I believe was once under the influence of the devil, explained to me that my father did not simply fall down the steps but instead was intentionally knocked down by the devil. Throughout this entire ordeal, my faith did not waver and I did not stop writing this book. In fact, I could feel the supernatural strength of God flowing through me, causing my faith to grow stronger. There were many other hurdles that I faced, and I have written about them in the latter part of this book. God gave me the grace to successfully complete this book after a period of five years for the glory of His name. I strongly believe that before our Lord’s Second Coming a mighty revival will take place all over the world (Acts 2:17). This revival will break only when we go back to the cross and preach about the sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ and the victory He gave us. Initially when I started writing this book, I asked my daughter Sharon to type a paragraph for me. After she typed, Introduction she said, “Dad, I have worked for the book, so I want my name to be in this book!” She went to be with the Lord in 2006 at the age of sixteen and I have dedicated this book to her. This book is precious to me and my family. Moreover, a seed has been planted to reap many souls for our Lord. My heart’s desire is to win souls through this book. Beloved, I deem it a great and rare privilege to share with you deep spiritual thoughts about the description and impact of the wounds inflicted on the body of Jesus Christ, the significance of each wound, and the blessings we receive through His wounds. May our Lord help you to inherit all these blessings. E. SAMUEL MOHNARAJ