June 9, 2004

THE RANSOM

"Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time" (1 Timothy 2:6, NKJV).

The designation of Jesus as, "The Ransom," is of pivotal importance to the whole plan of salvation. No title holds greater significance for our redemption.

The word, ransom, is a twin sister of the word, redemption. Both are derived from the same Greek root. The basic meaning of ransom is "to pay a price for one's freedom," "to open a closed door," " to emancipate a slave," "to loose someone." In the New Testament, Christ is repeatedly portrayed as a ransom for sinners. He Himself asserted that He came "to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45, NIV). The concept of ransom implies substitution. Christ became the ransom by dying in the sinner's place.

The assurance of Scripture is that Christ is both our ransom and our redemption (see 1 Timothy 2:6; 1 Corinthians 1:30). In reality, ransom and redemption are two sides of the same coin. Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for us (see 1 Timothy 2:6) in order that we might be redeemed. The ransom is the price paid for our freedom to live for God.

Jesus "gave Himself a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:6, NKJV). The ransom is not selective, but all encompassing. It is for all because all have sinned and need to be redeemed (see Romans 3:23). By Christ's ransom, we are twice God's--once by creation and again by redemption. Praise God! We are ransomed from the grave and saved to sin no more. "Jesus Christ offered His life as a ransom for the lost, as the price by which He might purchase the right to re-create the sinner, and form again the image of God in the soul."--Signs of the Times, December 12, 1895.

My Prayer Today: Lord, I join the redeemed of all ages in thanking You for becoming my ransom. Amen.