Jesus Christ Who Became to Us…Redemption

The purchase to buy back the church (Ps 111:9), the bride of Christ (Eph 5:22–32), was not cheap (Ps 49:8). With the precious blood of Christ (Eph 1:7; 1 Pet 1:19), the Israel of God was redeemed in full (Ps 130:7; Gal 6:16). It cost the Son of God His life, which He gladly laid down for His beloved people (Jn 10:11, 15; Eph 5:25), whom He loved from eternity (Eph 1:4–5).

The greatest love story ever told is the story of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice of Himself, an offering for sin (1 Pet 3:18), according to the eternal covenant of grace (Heb 13:20). The One, justified before God, became a substitute for those who would be set free from slavery to sin and death (Rom 5:9; 6:6, 16–20). By Christ Jesus’ redemption act, the redeemed of the Lord are also delivered from eternal torment in fiery hell (Mt 5:22; 18:9).

There is no other redeemer (Ps 78:35). Jesus Christ, alone, is exalted to the highest place and given the name above every name (Eph 1:21) because He successfully accomplished the necessary work of redemption on the cross, where He died (Rom 5:8; 2 Cor 5:14).

Redemption was necessary because we all like sheep had gone astray (Is 53:6), in the kingdom of sin (Rom 6:14). We had given ourselves over to serve sin. In our sinning, we broke God’s Law night and day, every day.

It was the Law that held us captive because each transgression demanded our arrest (Rom 6:14; 7:25). The ransom price to be set free was too high for anyone of us or anyone for us, to pay for our release from obligation to the Law for righteousness (right legal standing before God). Held captive by the Law, Christ, our Redeemer, paid the ransom for many (Mt 20:28; Mk 10:45) — those who belonged to Him from eternity past (Eph 1:14; Titus 2:14; 1 Pet 2:9) and who had been given to Him by the Father (Jn 6:37).

The Law was fulfilled and satisfied (Mt 5:17), allowing the release of those He paid for with His blood. Obligation to the Law was no longer required because the sacrifice was itself an eternal act, executed in time and to perfection. One sacrifice (Rom 6:10; Heb 10:10; 1 Pet 3:18), one payment was sufficient because of the infinite value of the unblemished Lamb of God (Jn 1:29; Heb 4:15).

Jesus took away the sins of all His people (Mt 1:21; Lk 1:69), from all over the world (Jn 3:16; 1 Jn 2:2), in a one-time act that covered every sin. Nothing could separate the people of God (Rom 8:35–39), from the One who loved them and who gave Himself for them (Eph 5:2, 25). Jesus laid down His life for them (1 Jn 3:16) that they might know the full forgiveness of sins — past, present, and future (Ps 25:18; Mk 3:28; Col 2:13; 1 Jn 1:9; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14). God remembers their sin no more (Is 43:25; Jer 31:34).

Like Gomer, the wayward wife of the prophet Hosea, so the church was purchased from the slave market — wretched, yet beloved. This is the unfathomable love of God for His prostitute-like people. There was nothing good in us, nor did we even desire to be redeemed (Rom 3:10–12). He loved us and gave Himself for us, by His own free will and gracious choice (Eph 1:11; Rom 11:5).

The redemption price was extremely high, but the redemption value, for the objects of His mercy, was worthless — suitable for the eternal, burning trash heap likened to the Valley of Ben-Hinnom. Knowing the power of His ability to salvage, He brings beauty from ashes (Is 61:3). This is love: infinite value, making profound sacrifice for the worthless, in order to restore objects of mercy to glory (Rom 9:23).

Where is this redemption found? Only “in Christ” (Rom 3:24), and only by His doing is one found “in Christ” (1 Cor 1:30). If you are in Christ, today, it is only by God’s gracious choice in eternity, and only by the gracious work of Christ, our Redeemer, on the cross. The application of God’s choice and Christ’s work in redemption is only by the grace of the Holy Spirit, who sprinkles God’s people with Christ’s cleansing, precious blood (Heb 9:19, 21; 12:24; 1 Pet 1:2, 19).

This application of blood redemption is depicted in water baptism (bloodless). The water and the blood bear witness (Jn 19:34; Heb 9:19; 1 Jn 5:6, 8), of a cut covenant and gracious application of an eternal redemption (Heb 9:12). In other words, God chose to redeem His people in eternity past. At the appointed time, Christ shed His blood for the forgiveness of sins, a particular redemption (Mt 26:28; Eph 1:7). The water baptism of God’s covenant people is a sign of cleansing, by the Spirit’s baptism at regeneration (Mt 3:11; Jn 3:1–8), which is the point in time, of redemption’s application to the elect soul.

The Lord’s Supper also bears witness of Christ’s redemption of the Israel of God (His church in both Old Testament and New Testament dispensations). We remember and proclaim Christ’s death until He comes again (1 Cor 11:26). We remember His sacrifice on our behalf and in our stead. We remember the total forgiveness of sins. We celebrate the hope that is within us…His very Spirit.

We preach a message of redemption, Christ crucified (1 Cor 1:18, 23; 2:2, 4), a purchase of blood. This is the Gospel. Jesus Christ — His blood and redemptive work on the cross, to secure His beloved bride (Eph 5:22–32). He bought her for the price of His blood (1 Cor 6:20; 7:23), in an act of pure, sacrificial love. He died in our place (substitution), bearing our sins in His body on the cross (1 Pet 2:24).

Jesus Christ has become to us…redemption. There is no other acceptable payment method than Christ crucified. There is no other payment currency acceptable to God, other than Jesus’ precious blood (1 Pet 1:19). There is no other means to be a beneficiary of Christ’s particular redemption, than to be one of His chosen people from eternity, who has received a visit from the Spirit of Christ, at the appointed time, in alignment with God’s eternal purpose in Christ (Eph 3:11).

God has promised to find each lost sheep of the house of Israel, giving us His blessed assurance that not even one of His own will be lost, stolen, or forsaken in eternity. Brethren, someone else has graciously paid the bill, the debt we owe (Col 2:14). His name has been disclosed from heaven to you. Rejoice, for your Redeemer is none other than Jesus Christ.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

December 9, 2022