I don’t know about you, but I have a love for words. I can pinpoint the moment when my love for them began. It was years ago, I was talking with my boss at the time, and laid out a common saying. I could tell what I said took him by suprise as he looked at me, and politely asked, ‘Do you really know what that means?’ I confessed I did not, and was embarrassed to know the true meaning of the phrase I spoke. From that moment and that embarrassment I have been more intentional and thoughtful of words and their meaning.
Thinking on Easter – the word redemption keeps running through my mind. Sure we all know what it means…if you have been a Christian for any length of time it is one we are accustomed to hearing, but at times I wonder if it’s one in which we have grown numb to its meaning?
Merriam-Webster defines it as follows:
* 1 a : to buy back : repurchase b : to get or win back
* 2: to free from what distresses or harms: such as a: to free from captivity by payment of ransom b : to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental c : to release from blame or debt : clear d : to free from the consequences of sin
* 3: to change for the better : reform
* 4: repair, restore
* 5 a : to atone for : expiateredeem an error b (1) : to offset the bad effect of (2) : to make worthwhile : retrieve
I don’t know about you, but these definitions make my heart melt, and pride for the God we serve swell within as I consider my sin, read of His plan, and remember His sacrifice.
His word tells us that inspite of his perfection, Jesus was numbered with the transgressors.
Isaiah 53:5,
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
Romans 5:8,
“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
Reading these words leads us to wonder, How is this fair? How can it be? Why would he endure it all for me?
Titus 2:14 gives us his reason,
“who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”
God’s love for us is greater then our imperfection, greater then ALL our sin. He looked upon our transgressions, and he looked upon us, and he said – we are worth it, and did it all for our redemption reconciling us back into relationship with him.
Today, my hope for you is that you will remember we have a redeemer. His name is Jesus. We have been bought with a price, and won back from the grips of Hell. It was our God that put this plan into motion, it was our God who said it could be done, it was our God who rose victorious, and it is our God who stands patiently in wait for us to realize the truth of His plan and the power of our redemption. Join me today – Choose Him.