Redeemed
Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold … but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot
(1 Peter 1:18-19).
The word “redemption” is not often used today. I grew up in a poor working-class area. It was quite common for families to go to a pawnbroker and pawn belongings when facing financial difficulties. The pawnbroking system was simple. People would hand over to the pawnbroker a valuable possession in exchange for money. Later, they would “buy back” or “redeem” the goods when they could afford it. To buy back the possession, two things were needed: firstly, the pawn ticket had to be produced as proof of ownership; secondly, the debt had to be paid in full. When both these things were done, the possession was redeemed. The shop would always have items for sale, often precious, which people could not afford to redeem. Their poverty robbed them of what they valued.
In Matthew 13 the Lord tells one of the simplest and shortest of His parables. It conveys the magnitude of what He gave to purchase His Church:
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it” (vv. 45-46).
Exodus 21 describes the action of a slave, who had the right to be set free, refusing freedom because he loved his master, his wife and his children. It brings home to our hearts how Christ gave Himself in love, obedience and devotion to His Father – in love for the Church and in love for each one of us: “I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free” (Exodus 21:5). The servant had to declare plainly his love. His ear was then pierced, shedding his blood. He forever had imprinted on his body, for all to see, the mark of his sacrifice.
Christ had the authority and the means to pay the cost of our redemption: “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father” (John 10:17-18). Peter writes of this cost, “You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver and gold … but with the precious blood of Christ.” The price was paid by the Lord Jesus in His death and the shedding of His blood at Calvary. His love was not declared timidly. The Saviour showed it powerfully before the hatred of His people, the injustice of the world, the power of Satan, and God’s judgment. Through faith in Him, we are cleared of every liability and set completely free: “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). It is freedom purchased by love’s sacrifice.
We can thank God this morning that we were not, like some of the precious objects in the pawnshop, left unredeemed. In response, we come in all the liberty and joy of our salvation to worship our Saviour, who loved us and gave Himself to redeem us. Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
