Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption . . .

REDEMPTION

Recently the news told of hostages set free after five years of captivity somewhere in the Middle East. We can hardly imagine the joy they felt to be back in the loving arms of family and friends.

The Bible teaches that all people from Adam's fall are held hostage by sin. Being a prisoner of sin also means being captive to death, hell, and Satan. What a horrifying predicament.

But God went to work to set the world free. He sent His Son on a one man rescue mission. Call it OPERATION REDEMPTION. "Redemption" is a huge Bible word which has the basic meaning of "buying back."

In order to free us from the curse of sin, a price had to be paid. It was a price that no one but Jesus could pay. That price involved, first of all, a sinless life. For more than thirty years Jesus rubbed shoulders with sinners, exposed to every temptation known to man. Yet He kept Himself absolutely pure. His sinless life was then credited to each and every sinner. Only Jesus' sinless life makes the sinner acceptable to a Holy God. The price also involved making full payment for all sin. Jesus shed His holy blood to make that payment. On Calvary's cross He was cursed -- damned -- for all humanity. The world's sin is no longer counted against it, because it was counted against Jesus.

Easter morning announced OPERATION REDEMPTION to be a complete success! God now proclaims the whole world set free from sin and all its horrid consequences. Judas, Jack the Ripper, Hitler, everyone, has been rescued by Jesus. Yes, many reject what Jesus has done for them, and so end up in hell. But that doesn't change the fact that they have been redeemed. God says to all, "You have been saved. Believe it, and spend eternity with me in heaven!"

You, dear sinner, have been redeemed. What a wonderful reality! What joy to find ourselves in the safe arms of our great Redeemer Friend, Jesus!