Introduction
As a believer, it's important to experience the full weight of Jesus' sacrifice at the cross. The Great Exchange He completed when He died and rose again changed everything for you—your nature, destiny, standing with God and access to His promises and blessings.
In this eBook, you'll walk through eight incredible promises that are yours today because of the Great Exchange that happened over two thousand years ago. Each truth will help to deepen your faith life and ignite a passion for an ever-growing, ever-changing relationship with God!
The Empty Tomb
There seems to be widespread discontent in North American churches. Many believers have settled for “life support Christianity” instead of developing a thriving faith. They may have fire insurance for eternity, but they struggle to see much of a difference in their life here on Earth.
What’s missing? Romans 10:9 points to something crucial: the empty tomb. You see, when it comes to the story of Jesus and His crucifixion, many of us focus on the cross where He died and forget that His resurrection is equally as important.
“…That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
This verse says we must believe in our hearts that Jesus was raised from the dead. Why is that? It’s because at the resurrection, something called the Great Exchange was completed. The empty tomb shows us that death is defeated, and it signifies the new covenant we can now enjoy as believers.
Over the next few chapters, you'll walk through eight of the exchanges that took place at the cross and resurrection. When you understand what Jesus accomplished for you, the truth will set you free. The Word will begin to awaken your faith and change your deepest beliefs. You’ll realize that in any area where you’re struggling, breakthrough doesn’t come from exerting more of your own effort. It comes from believing what Jesus has already done.
Rest in the fact that Jesus took your place on the cross and defeated sin and death. Because of the empty tomb, you can experience victory in your health, emotions, relationships and every area of life!
Reflection Questions
- Why is the empty tomb just as important as the cross?
- In what ways have you experienced the struggle between "life support Christianity" and a thriving faith in your own life?
- Read over Romans 10:9. Why is it so important to salvation that we confess and believe in our heart that Jesus resurrected?
The Greatest Miracle
So much changed for us when Jesus died and rose again. Let's dive into the first two exchanges that took place:
- Jesus took your sin and gave you His righteousness.
Jesus lived a perfect life, yet at the cross He became sin on your behalf. In exchange, you get His righteousness as a gift. As a believer, you have perfect standing with God. You can know Him personally, access an inheritance of blessings and walk free of guilt.
- Jesus took your sin nature and gave you His divine nature.
Many believers say, “I’m just a sinner saved by grace,” thinking they’re being humble. But this is an inaccurate doctrine, and it destroys your ability to believe God for the miraculous.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)
The truth is, you were a sinner, but once you believed in Jesus, you took on a new nature. Do you still fail sometimes? Absolutely! But what you do is not your identity. Who you are is a righteous child of God. Second Peter 1:4 says that we can share God’s divine nature. And Galatians 2:20 states that the old you was crucified along with Christ, and now He lives within you.
You see, the greatest miracle that ever took place wasn’t a healed limb or the parting of the Red Sea. It was what Jesus did to free us from sin and fear. Now you can live full of the life, love and power of God—and it’s greater than anything the enemy could throw your way.
Reflection Questions
- How does Jesus taking your sin and giving you His righteousness impact your relationship with God?
- How does your new identity as a righteous child of God affect your daily life and interactions?
- Reflect on the statement, "What you do is not your identity. Who you are is a righteous child of God." How does that truth affect your confidence when approaching God?
A New Way of Life
At the cross, Jesus made a new way of life available. Let’s look at three more of the exchanges that took place:
- Jesus took your name so you can use His name.
Why did Jesus call Himself the Son of Man instead of the Son of God? It’s because God originally gave authority to the human race. One man, Adam, gave it up—and it took another man, Jesus, to reclaim it. Now as believers, we can use the authority behind the name of Jesus when we pray (John 16:24). You can speak to mountains and see the power of God flow in your life.
- Jesus took your sickness and gave you His health.
First Peter 2:24 (AMP) says, “for by His wounds... you have been healed.” Notice this verse is in past tense. Healing is a gift that already belongs to you because Jesus dealt with all sickness and disease at the cross.
- Jesus took your poverty and gave you His prosperity.
Second Corinthians 8:9 (AMP) says, “Yet for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich (abundantly blessed).” We're not talking about what some people call “the prosperity gospel,” which can be twisted for their own advantage. The prosperity Jesus gives us is about having more than enough in every area so we can bless others in greater ways!
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
John 14:13 (NKJV)
It’s important to remember that we don’t need to pursue these blessings. Just pursue Jesus. He’s better than any healing or financial miracle you could receive. At the same time, realize that He came to give you abundant life in every way!
Reflection Questions
- How does the authority behind the name of Jesus impact your prayer life and ability to overcome struggles?
- How does the truth of Jesus taking your sickness and giving you health affect your prayers for physical healing?
- How does the truth of Jesus taking your poverty and giving you His prosperity align with or challenge your perspectives on prosperity?
You’re Blessed, Accepted and Loved
So far we’ve covered five exchanges, and in this chapter we'll dive into the last three:
- Jesus took the curse of the law and gave you the blessing.
Under the old covenant, disobeying God’s laws brought on a curse. But when Jesus stepped up as our perfect substitution, He redeemed us from the curse of the law. Now we can enjoy all the blessings and promises of God (Galatians 3:13-14).
Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:14 (NLT)
- Jesus was forsaken so you could become a child of God.
When Jesus took on our sin, God turned away from Him. For the first time in history, Jesus was cut off from His Father. In Matthew 27:46, we hear Him cry out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Because Jesus was forsaken as God’s Son, we have the opportunity to become sons and daughters of God.
- Jesus was rejected from the Father’s presence so you could receive fellowship with God.
Sadly, many people know what it's like to be cut off and have no relationship with their dad. They may share the same DNA and last name, but there’s no emotional connection. Yet that’s not how it is with you and God. As a believer, not only are you legally His child, but you can also enjoy a rich, personal relationship with Him.
This list of eight exchanges isn’t exhaustive, but hopefully you’re beginning to see how incredible Jesus’ sacrifice is. Because of His finished work on the cross, you can walk in overwhelming victory as a child of God!
Reflection Questions
- What are some specific blessings you have access to because of Jesus?
- Right now, how do you view your relationship with God?
- In what ways can the truths in this chapter empower you to live boldly and confidently in your identity as a child of God?
Enjoy the Benefits and Seek Your Purpose
What Jesus accomplished in the Great Exchange is stunning. Yet so many believers are living in defeat. They’re trying to use their faith to get God to do something—instead of using their faith to receive what has already been given.
Others believe if something is God’s will, it will automatically happen. But God didn’t make you a robot, and He’s not holding the remote control. He created you as a sovereign being with a free will, and you can choose whether or not you’ll walk in what Jesus died to give you.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.
Psalm 103:2 (NKJV)
Now, it’s important to know and believe all these benefits of our salvation—but we shouldn’t chase the benefits. We don't need to run after things like healing and prosperity, because they're already ours. Our relationship with Jesus needs to be above all else. That’s where life is the richest!
Have you ever noticed that the happiest people you meet are the ones who feel a sense of purpose? And the greatest purpose you could have is to build the Kingdom of God. As you do, everything else will be added to you (Matthew 6:33)
Keep diving into God’s Word, discovering what Jesus has done for you and believing for great things. But don’t stop there. As you enjoy the benefits of your salvation, make sure you also run after the purpose God has on your life: to reach out and bring others along.
Let the incredible miracle of the Great Exchange wake up a sense of purpose and joy within you. Let’s make sure nobody around us goes without hearing the message of the Great Exchange that Jesus did for us!
Reflection Questions
- Right now, are you seeking and pursuing the benefits that Jesus won for you, or Jesus Himself?
- What are some unexpected blessings or benefits you've experienced while pursuing a relationship with Jesus?
- How can you share the Great Exchange with someone in your life today?
Conclusion
The Great Exchange is the most beautiful, powerful and miraculous thing Jesus did for us. It brought with it countless blessings, an open connection with our Father God and so much more.
We pray that as you read through the last few chapters you were overwhelmed with the love Jesus displayed for you on the cross and at the empty tomb.
As a recap, here are the eight exchanges that happened the day Jesus gave it all away so we could have it all:
- Jesus took your sin and gave you His righteousness.
- God took your sin nature and gave you His divine nature.
- Jesus took your name so you can use His name.
- Jesus took your sickness and gave you His health.
- Jesus took your poverty and gave you His prosperity.
- Jesus took the curse of the law and gave you the blessing.
- Jesus was forsaken so you could become a child of God.
- Jesus was rejected from the Father's presence so you could receive fellowship with God.
Read over this eBook again and again and allow the truths to sink deep into your heart. Keep learning what Jesus' sacrifice means for you and how it can continually change your life for the better. He paid the ultimate price—don't waste it!
