Redeemed

   “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people, and has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David,” (Luke 1: 68 – 69)

   Sometimes a single word can bring about a faith experience.  The one word that has been running through my mind for some time now is “redeemed”.  Scripture tells us that we were redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ.  There are many other words also used in explaining what Jesus did for us with His sacrifice; He purchased us, bought our freedom from sin, paid for our sins.  All are appropriate and true but still, I keep coming back to redeemed.

   According to the dictionary redeemed means to buy back or repurchase; to get or win back.  But the one definition given by Miriam Webster that strikes me as the best definition of our redemption through the sacrifice of Christ is “to atone for; expiate; redeem an error; to offset the bad effect of and to make worthwhile or retrieve.”

   Jesus’ redemption did all these things.  He atoned for our sins though He was without sin.  He provided the compensation or expiation for sins we could not pay for.  He redeemed our many errors with His life, offsetting the bad effect of our sins which is condemnation and separation from God.  He made us worthwhile and retrieved our souls from the slavery of sin.

   One word with so many meanings and so much depth.  Our Lord and Savior, through His infinite love, has redeemed us.

Lord Jesus you paid the price for our sins.

You gave us the opportunity of salvation.

May we always give thanks for that glorious redemption.

Amen