The Redemptive Work of Christ – Part 2
But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
Isaiah 43:1 (KJV)
The practice of redeeming or reclaiming as one’s own through payment goes back to the Old Testament. The account is given in the book of Ruth about the land Naomi was about to sell that belonged to her late husband, Elimelech. The land and all that pertained to it was redeemed by a wealthy relative of Elimelech named Boaz.
Redemption is a recurring theme in both the Old and New Testaments. It is, in fact, what the Bible is about. It is about us (mankind) having been separated from God through sin, being redeemed by the infinite mercies of God, Who sent His only begotten Son to die for us. The wages of sin is death, and we were doomed to die, but we have been delivered from sin and its consequences because Jesus paid; His death on the cross, our redemption. The gift of God is eternal life only through Jesus Christ our Lord. God, our Saviour, desires all men to be saved and know the truth.
This is the redemption story. God sent His only begotten Son into the world not to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. We are justified by His grace through redemption and reconciled to God through the blood of the cross so that He can present us holy and without blemish if we continue in the faith. (Romans 3:24-25).
For while we were God’s enemies (because of our sinful nature), we are reconciled to Him through the death of His son…no longer counting our sins against us but cancelling them. Apostle Paul implores us to ‘be reconciled to God’ – (2 Corinthians 5: 18). We are redeemed! Proclaim it! Christ’s redemptive work has brought about our salvation.
Prayer
Almighty God, we are grateful for the blood of Jesus that brought about our redemption. Thank You for reconciling us to You and allowing us to dwell in Your presence. Let us draw strength daily from Your Word so we can live as overcomers; in Jesus’s name, Amen.
Read: Luke 1:68; Galatians 3:13
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 42:7-11; Luke 12:1-34; Deuteronomy 9; Deuteronomy 10
