The Gift of Redemption

Easter is just around the corner. If you know the Easter story, you will know that as Christians we celebrate Good Friday (Jesus’ Death) and Easter (Jesus’ Resurrection). Jesus died on the cross and on the third day He rose again. This is factual. There are third party witnesses who actually saw Him die and saw Him again after His resurrection. And then Jesus ascended to sit at the right hand of God. 

All of creation longs and groans for redemption. This world is full of sin and death, we are in need of a redeemer and a Savior. God has delivered on this promise to His people. He sent His Son into the world to overcome the power of sin. 

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Until Jesus, humans were held by the captivity of sin. He came to liberate us. We are living in the already but not yet, meaning redemption is already accomplished but not yet completed. Life is not as it should be in this broken world we know that there is still sin that permeates the earth. 

Jesus Christ’s death on the cross was by far the greatest act of love displayed, where he took on the sins of the world so that all who believe in Him can be saved. Those who were spiritually dead can be made alive.

Bible Verses About Redemption

The Bible is an excellent source of guidance on what redemption is. Throughout the Bible, we see countless stories of redemption. After all, the Bible is a book about redemption. We see God redeeming His people back to Him countless times throughout the Bible. 

Isaiah 44:22: I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.

Romans 5:8-9: but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Ephesians 1:7-8: In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight

Galatians 3:13-14: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith

1 Peter 1:17-19: And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 

Stories of Redemption in the Bible

God wants to communicate to us stories of redemption in the Bible. Since the beginning with Adam and Eve, we have been separated from God. They took the bite of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They were tricked by the Devil and wanted to be like God. Prior to this occurrence, they had direct access to God. They were living in perfect peace with Him. However, when they took that bite, they were separated from God.

As I read the Old Testament, the priests, like Aaron, the job was to atone for the sins of their people. They had to do daily sacrifices to God for their people. Throughout the Old Testament, we see countless events where the Israelites sin against God, He would send enemies to hold them captive then they would cry for help and repent and God would redeem them back to Him by raising up a judge. This happened again and again. 

Ruth is a great story of redemption. I love how Desiring God puts it: “Again and again the people rebelled, and from all outward appearances God’s purposes for righteousness and glory in Israel were failing. And what the book of Ruth does for us is give us a glimpse of the hidden work of God during the worst of times.” And also, “One of the main messages of this little book is that God is at work in the worst of times. Even though the sins of his people, he can and he does plot for their glory.” 

Jesus died on the cross as the ultimate atonement for our sins. He fulfills every promise and is the messianic hope. The long-awaited redeemer has arrived. The deliverance of God’s people was accomplished on the cross. He took our shame and sin upon Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. No, that doesn’t mean we still don’t need to repent of our sins but He has given us so much freedom on the cross. The Bible tells us there will be a day again when we are forever restored. God’s people will inherit a new earth that is free from struggle and sin. There will be no pain or hurting – Jesus will eternally wipe them away. Best of all, God will dwell among His people again like in the garden of Eden. 

Throughout the Old Testament, we see the Israelites turning away from God. But God in His mercy redeems them back to Him when they repent. He is a merciful, just and mighty God who loves His people.  God, in His goodness and faithfulness, so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that we also may not perish but can have eternal life (John 3:16). He wanted to bring us back into a right relationship with Him. God so loved us – including you and me! This is God’s redemptive story and it is possible for any of us who believe.

The Gift of Redemption

The gift of redemption was God’s plan before the creation of the world. God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might be redeemed to Him. Christ redeemed us. He gave Himself for us. He is the ultimate atonement for our sins. He made a way for us to live in the light instead of darkness.

When you confess Jesus as Lord, you become an heir to God’s kingdom. Our redemption is not something that we could have done on our own. We were bought with a price – the precious blood of Jesus Christ. On the cross, it was finished and accomplished. The best part is that no one can ever take the gift of redemption away from you. Jesus has taken our shame, guilt, condemnation on Himself. So let your weary heart rejoice in this gracious gift from God. 

Living in Light of Redemption

So you may be asking “Jesus dying on the cross is all well and good but how do I live in light of redemption? How do I carry on living in light of the cross and the sacrifice Jesus made for me? What has He called me to do?”

When we view our life in light of the redemption of the cross, everything changes. God redeems you into His family on purpose and for a purpose. That purpose is to transform us into the likeness of Jesus. This transformation begins the moment you become a believer. We have been forgiven for our sins and been made new. We are given a new identity in Christ. We are called to surrender our lives to Jesus and live in obedience to Him. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be transformed from the inside out. 

In Romans 12:1-3, we are called to not conform to the patterns of the world any longer but to live according to God’s perfect and pleasing will. God has given us each unique giftings and talents that we should use to bring glory to His kingdom. We are called to live in a holy manner not because God just wants us to follow his rules as if He is a controlling dictator, but because we trust that as our Creator He knows what is best for us and we know the sacrifice it took to redeem us. 

So I leave you with a final Bible Verse, Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Rejoice in the gift of redemption!

****All Bible Verses are from the English Standard Version (ESV).