“Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others He has redeemed you from your enemies” (Psalm 107:2 NLT).
Myer Pearlman, author of ‘Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible’, stated that the word “redeem” in both the Old and New Testaments means to buy back by paying a price, to loose from bondage by paying a price, to buy in a market and to take from a market. The Lord Jesus is a Redeemer, and His atoning work is described as Redemption (Matthew 20:28; Galatians 3:13; Titus 2:14).
The author alluded to the fact that the most interesting illustration of redemption is found in the Old Testament law of the kinsman-redeemer (Leviticus 25:47-49). According to this law, a man who had sold his property and sold himself into servitude because of debt could regain both his land and liberty at any time on the condition that he was redeemed by someone possessing the following qualifications:
- He must be kin to the man;
- He must be willing to be redeemed or buy back;
- He must have the price.
The Lord Jesus Christ measured up to all three qualifications: He became kin to us by taking our nature; He was willing to give up all to redeem us (2 Corinthians 8:9), and being divine, He was willing to pay the price – His own precious blood.
The fact of redemption reminds us that salvation is costly and, therefore, not to be lightly esteemed. The Bible records that when some Corinthians became careless in their manner of living, Paul warned them, ‘Ye are not your own. For ye were bought with a price’ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – KJV). The Apostle Paul’s rebuke is a warning to all believers today and beyond. As we celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, remember that He paid the redemption price for our sins with His life. Thus, we are mandated to live a holy life according to His Word, will, and way.
Read: Romans 8:38-39; Revelation 14:4
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 44:1-12; Luke 13:31-35; Luke 14:1-14; Deuteronomy 15; Deuteronomy 16:1-20
