The term redemption has various implications. It can refer to paying a price to pay off a debt, recover ownership of something, buy back something that was held by another or pay off a ransom to set somebody free. To God it means all of the above—and beyond!
In delivering the children out of the bondage of Egyptian slavery, He did it His way. After taking the people out by His strength and miraculous power, He didn’t pay off their owners; He paid them back by drowning them in the Red Sea! He then brought the people into relationship with Him. Later, we see that He brought them out of the bondage of Egypt to bring them into the land of their inheritance. He said what He was going to do and He did it.
“Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as My people, and I will be your God” (Exodus 6:6-7).
RELEVANCE
The above account all a foreshadowed God’s greater plan of redeeming mankind from the bondage of sin and captivity of Satan, the ruler of the kingdom of darkness, whose forces hold people in captivity through the power of deception. Ephesians 4:8 says that when Jesus “ascended on high, He led captivity captive.” In other words, He overcame the power of sin and death and the kingdom of darkness, placing into captivity the very power holding people captive to sin!
The blood of Christ was poured out as a substitute sacrifice, redeeming mankind from the penalty of sin, reversing God’s judgment for all who call upon His name. He paid the ransom which God the Father required. He set those in captivity to sin free from its bondage, positioning all who believe to enter into covenant relationship with Him.
In Christ you have the power of His grace working through the Holy Spirit to resist the powers of darkness and participate in the areas under its dominion. In such a way sin no longer has power over you. Furthermore, you are forgiven when you fail. God simply requires that you seek truth and walk in the light you have been given.
REFLECT AND RELATE
Read and meditate upon the scriptures below. Ask God how you can appropriate the victory Christ won on your behalf.
REFERENCES
Psalm 51:1-19; Matthew 4:17; Romans 5:1-6:23; Acts 2:38; 3:19; Hebrews 2:14-3:6