Midweek Message from the Archive
Eph. 1:3-14 Redemption
Do you remember the days of S&H Green stamps? You were given them as rewards for purchases and when your book was full visited the Redemption Center for free gifts. That’s a great lower story but the upper story is the redemption we receive when we come to Christ.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, Ephesians 1:7
Did you notice the ‘in Him‘ part? It’s crucial to this passage. When we’re vitally connected to the Savior our first heavenly blessing is His blood that redeemed us. He literally bought us back from the clutches of sin, death, and devil and now we reign spiritually with Him. Our stamp book was filled by Him and our gift is received.
Ready for a little Hebrew lesson? There are two words that translate ‘redemption‘. The first is ga’al. This means that, according to God’s law, the next of kin can ransom a loved one. They not only can, it’s the duty of a good and true man that they should. We see an example of this in the lives of Ruth and Boaz. As the closest relative, Boaz purchased the right to protect Ruth, vindicate her, and even marry her. Can you see the upper story within this lower story? It foreshadowed the relationship that Jesus would have with His bride: believers. He redeemed or bought us back from our sin nature and now He protects and even vindicates us as a divine Husband (Is. 43:1-4). His life for ours: the Great Exchange. Jesus is our Go’el, our Redeemer.
The second word is padah. This word is slightly different from the first. It’s meaning is the transfer of ownership with the payment of a price. As believers we’re purchased with the ransom-price of blood. Why blood? Because scripture tells us life is in the blood. With this payment we are forgiven our sins, released from our bondage, and able to live a new life of freedom in Christ.
In the New Testament the lower story of redemption (like Boaz and Ruth) becomes real in Christ (upper story):
… by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. Revelation 5:9
… even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28
… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Romans 3:23, 24
He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. Titus 2:14
Thank God this week that He became your Redeemer, paid your ransom, and now you’ve received the free gift from the Divine Redemption Center.
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