Redemption

This Sunday we are kicking off a new series entitled, "Redemption".  It won't last long, so don't miss it.  Redemption is a key doctrine of the Christian faith.  Christianity teaches both righteousness and redemption.  Redemption teaches us about the love of God, forgiveness, grace, brokenness, lostness, and restoration and reconciliation.

There is a favorite story about redemption and forgiveness which preachers use from time to time.  The story takes place near Mexico City.  It seems a father and son had a falling out.  After cross words, the son left home and didn't return.  a year went by and the father longed to find his son, so . . . he placed an ad in the local paper.  It read something like this, "Hose, all is forgiven.  come home.  If you read this, meet me at the city square on Saturday at 12 noon."  That Saturday, when the father went to the square more than 100 "Hoses" were waiting in the square.  -- the story itself is most likely make believe, but the point is not.  Most of us are looking for forgiveness, restoration, and an opportunity to return "home".  God gives us this opportunity in Christ Jesus.

There are many stories of redemption in the Bible . . . 

Joseph’s story in Genesis is certainly one story of redemption—not only the redemption of his own life, but the redemption of his family as well.  Even though, Joseph was sold into slavery, mis-treated as a slave, and spent time in prison, he was later able to declare, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (50:20) 

Exodus records the story of God’s deliverance of his people from slavery in Egypt.  God called Moses (Exodus 3) to lead his people out of slavery.  Following numerous miraculous signs (Exodus 7-11), God delivers his people out of bondage.  In the process, God’s people begin the practice of the Passover Feast which points to the blood of the lamb as the means of redemption for God’s people (Exodus 12).

The OT year of Jubilee — The year of Jubilee is best described as a “Sabbath year of Sabbath years”.   It occurred every 50 years.  The Sabbath year had four provisions: 1) the freeing of all slaves, 2) the cancellation of all debts, 3) the land would lay dormant, and 4) a return of all land to the original owners. (Exodus 21:2-6; 23:10-12; Leviticus 25:13-17)

Ruth 4 tells of the story of Naomi's redemption through Ruth and Boaz.  Ruth was a Gentile woman of Moab, who became an ancestor of King David and the Messiah.  Because of a famine, a Jewish man with his family went to live in Moab.  While there his sons married Moabite women—one of them was Ruth.  Not long after, the man as well as his two sons died, leaving Naomi, Ruth’s mother-n-law destitute.  Naomi with Ruth by her side returns to Bethlehem. It is then that Boaz meets Ruth and later marries her fulfilling the duties of the kinsman-redeemer.  In this way, Ruth became a grandparent of the Israel’s greatest king—king David.


In the New Testament, there is Nicodemus (John 3), Lazarus (John 11), and Zacchaeus (Luke 19), and don’t forget Mary and Martha (John 12), the prodigal son (Luke 15) or the repentant man crucified with Jesus (Luke 23:43).

And what about you?  Are you allowing God in Christ Jesus to redeem you and restore you to God's promises for your life.  Join us Sunday as we consider this important Christian truth.