Reclaiming the Truth
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20.25-28
Redeeming the Time
Redemption is the purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid.
Christ’s suffering is our ransom. Christ Himself became our ransom, and in Him we have redemption. We have been redeemed by Christ’s shed blood on the cross. Our debt because of sin is not just canceled, but it is fully paid. Every sin of the past, every sin of the future, every sin of the present is redeemed, “paid in full.”
Many of us in Lenten seasons past wallowed in our ashes and have been tempted to work harder, or try better, or be less sinful in order to earn our redemption. How crazy is that? That’s a spiritual cul-de-sac at its best!
“Christ saves us neither by the mere exercise of power, nor by his doctrine, nor by his example, nor by the moral influence which he exerted, nor by any subjective influence on his people, whether natural or mystical, but as a satisfaction to divine justice, as an expiation for sin, and as a ransom from the curse and authority of the law, thus reconciling us to God by making it consistent with his perfection to exercise mercy toward sinners.” – Charles Hodge.
Reflection
- Describe a time when you were tempted to try and earn your redemption.
- In your own words, define the totality of Christ’s redemption.
- What would change in your home if you fully received and lived in His redemptive work?
Resting in His Redemption
David declares the goodness and grace of our God in Psalm 103. Rest in His redemption today. Rest and Receive.
“Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion…” Psalm 103.1-4
