Bella Vista Church of Christ
LIFELINES
October 31, 2001 Randall Caselman
Redeemed: How I Love To Proclaim It
The theme of redemption is a scarlet thread woven through scripture in more than a hundred and fifty different texts. Our redemption in Christ is foreshadowed in the Old Testament by the Law which stated that a lost inheritance could be redeemed. This plan called for a Kinsman Redeemer-someone who was a near relative-someone who was willing-and someone who had the resources to pay the debt.
God is seen as the Old Testament redeemer. Speaking of God, Job said, “I know that my redeemer liveth.” In Psalm 19.14, we hear David declare, “O, Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” In Isaiah we find, “thus saith the Lord, the redeemer, the Holy one of Israel, I am the Lord thy God.” When we come to the New Testament, Jesus, “God in the flesh,” is our redeemer. Paul says that in the fullness of time, God sent His son to redeem the Jews and make the Gentiles adopted sons. Indeed, Jesus qualifies as our Kinsman Redeemer.
1. Jesus was a near relative.
The New Testament repeatedly affirms Christ’s humanity. “The word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” (John 1.14) “God sent His own son in the likeness of sinful man.” (Romans 8.3) “Being made in human likeness and found in appearance as a man.” (Philippians 2.8) “Wherefore in all things, it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren,-to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2.1)
2. Jesus was willing.
Jesus, who Paul said, “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.” (Philippians. 2.7, NIV) “Then (Jesus) said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifices of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10.9-10) “I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10.10) “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep; no man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.” (John 10.11,18)
3. Jesus had the resources.
The Hebrews writer notes, “and without the shedding of blood there is no remission...it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats could take away sins.” (Hebrews 9.22 & 10.4) “Feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with his own blood.” (Acts 20.28) “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered once into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Hebrews 9.12) “He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 15.21) “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver and gold that you were redeemed; but with the precious blood of Christ.” (I Peter 1.18-19)
For a deeper appreciation of our redemption, let’s examine two words in the Greek:
AGARAZO - To redeem, to purchase in a market. We have been purchased, bought with a price. We are his property, purchased at the price of his own blood. “For you are bought (AGARAZO) with a price.” (I Corinthians 6.20) “And they sung a new song, saying, thou art worthy to take the book, to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us (AGARAZO) to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” (Revelation 5.9)
LUTROO - To redeem, to ransom, release, set free, to deliver from bondage, set at liberty. Christ paid the ransom, setting us free; free from the bondage of sin, free from the sting of death, free from eternal destruction. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem (LUTROO) from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people (a people that are his very own-NIV) zealous of good works.” (Titus 2.14) “You know that you were not redeemed (LUTROO) with corruptible things such as silver and gold.” (I Peter 1.18)
Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever, I am.
Amen? Amen! Are you His child?
RANDALL CASELMAN
