“In Him (Christ) we have redemption through His blood…” Ephesians 1:7. Redemption requires that there be a redeemer – one that pays the price demanded to obtain the release of that which has been held in captivity or danger. The picture and pattern of redemption is clearly laid out in the Old Testament; it could be for the transfer of ownership by payment of a price, Ruth 4; it could be a ransom to avoid a plague, Exodus 30:12; or in Leviticus 25:47-49 by the act of a “kinsman redeemer”, here someone was in slavery because of poverty and “one who is near of kin” could pay the redemptive price to set them free. In the Old Testament this redemption applied to the ordinary things of life, but the Biblical message is that of God’s relationship with His people. This redemptive concept is carried over into the New Testament where we are told that we were all “sold under sin” Romans 7:14. We are also introduced to Jesus our “kinsman redeemer”, becoming our kinsman not only by virtue of His creating us in the beginning, but in that He took on Himself “flesh and blood” Hebrews 2:14, the creator became the created, “made like His brethren…to make propitiation for the sins of the people ” verse 17. In the Old Testament the one in slavery could redeem himself if he was able to do so, but in relationship to God we cannot redeem ourselves because “all have sinned…” Romans 3:23, and the price of redemption required sinless blood, so only the Virgin-Born Son of God (our kinsman) could pay the price, there is no other way! “…knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold…but with the precious blood of Christ…” 1 Peter 1:18-19. In Revelation 5:8-9 elders, representing God’s people, join in the song of worship singing “You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” I am not my own, 1 Corinthians 6:19. I am redeemed!
The price of Redemption
By Rose Hill
A large price the Savior paid,
To rescue us from the grave.
With His blood He made us His own,
So we serve Him and Him alone.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.