As we continue our journey to comprehend the love of God, I pray your prayers have been richly fulfilled and that God has poured His love into your heart by His Spirit (Romans 5:5). In the last two posts we looked at the words chosen and forgiven. Today we turn our attention to the word, redeemed. This is a weighty word because of its connection to slavery- for to be redeemed is to be bought back with a price.
Think back for a moment to the book of Exodus: God’s people, the Israelites, had been enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. Generation after generation was born into- and died in- slavery. But God, true to His promise to Abraham, delivered His people. In Exodus 6:6 God instructed Moses to speak His words to the Israelites: “I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment.” In the exodus, God delivered His people from physical slavery and bondage and brought them to the blessed resting place of the Promised Land. In this we have a beautiful foreshadowing of the redemption that would come through Christ in the new covenant!
This theme of redemption- of buying back from bondage- is found throughout the old covenant and was a part of the Mosaic law. In Leviticus 25 and 27 we see laws designed for the redemption of property, land, and poor men. God’s law graciously allowed for this redemption through a kinsman-redeemer. Such a redeemer was a male relative who had the privilege or responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need (https://www.gotquestions.org/kinsman-redeemer.html). Again, the law showed us a picture of Christ and what he would do for his people.
In Matthew 20:28 Jesus said that he came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. His death on the cross was the payment needed to redeem us from the slavery of our sin. The Apostle Paul states this clearly in 1 Corinthians 6:20 when he said that we have been bought with a price. In Ephesians 1:7 he again recounts that our redemption is through the blood of Christ. Likewise, the Apostle Peter wrote that we have been ransomed with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Our redemption means that sin is no longer our master- it has no hold on us! No longer are we in bondage to sin. Rather, we are free to live in obedience to Christ. It is no longer sin we serve, but Christ! Like the Israelites in slavery or the poor relative in need, we were unable to free or restore ourselves. But through the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf, we are released from spiritual bondage. We are both vindicated and blessed.
Take a few moments to read the verses above referencing redemption. Then, ask God to help you comprehend the significance of your redemption. Thank God for His provision of a Savior. Finally, thank Jesus for being the good shepherd who willingly laid down his life to redeem his sheep.
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