Our Riches In Christ (3): Redeemed In Christ

2^nd Samuel 9 verses 1-13 narrate the story of David and Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was Jonathan’s only surviving son but he was crippled in both feet. After David had ascended the throne and crowned as King, he wanted to show kindness to any surviving member of Saul’s household for Jonathan’s sake (most of us will remember that David and Jonathan shared a deep bond of friendship). Mephibosheth’s name came up in the course of the inquiries so King David sent for him. When the King told Mephibosheth what he had in mind-how he wanted to restore to Mephibosheth all the land that belonged to Saul and how Mephibosheth was going to eat at the King’s table, his response was almost like “No, it can’t be me!” (2nd Samuel 9:8).

Many Christians today are like Mephibosheth. Our response to God’s revelation of His grace appears to be that of incredulity. Sometimes we practically reject God’s gift of grace. Don’t be like Mephibosheth, don’t call yourself a dead dog when the King has given you a seat at His table by grace!

Redeemed In Christ

“In Him we have redemption through His blood…”

Ephesians 1:7 NIV

Redemption is a process of buying back a lost item by paying a ransom. The Greek words used in the New Testament and translated into English as “redeem” and “redemption” carry the sense of paying a ransom, paying the ransom in full, buying from a market and buying completely out of the market.

The whole of humanity was lost, enslaved by the devil and sold under sin (Romans 7:23). Ours was a hopeless case as no human being could redeem other humans:

“No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him…”

Psalms 49:7 NIV

No ordinary man could have redeemed us. Man’s redemption could only have been done by a Special Person and that is exactly why Jesus Christ came into the world as that Special Person to procure our redemption:

“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:28 NIV

“Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil-and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death”

Hebrews 2:14, 15 NIV

God did not redeem us by merely wishing away our sins or with the wave of a magic wand or a mere pronouncement. A payment was made, a ransom was actually paid. The payment was the blood, the life of Jesus Christ.

“...the church of God, which He bought with His own blood…”

Acts 20:28 NIV

“You were bought at a price…”

1^st Corinthians 6:20 NIV

“…our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself to redeem us from all wickedness…”

Titus 2:13, 14 NIV

“…Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men…”

1^st Timothy 2:5, 6 NIV

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed..., but with the precious blood of Christ”

1^st Peter 1:18, 19 NIV

This week I proclaim the word of the Lord to you dear believer in Christ: The price Jesus paid for you was paid in full. You have been fully redeemed through the blood of Christ. Your redemption is an eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12). Never are you going to be returned to the slave market; the devil has no claim over you anymore. You now belong to your redeemer.

Note: For more teachings on this, join us at my home church in our Sunday Services in April 2017 as we go through a mini-series titled “The Redemptive Work of Christ”.