Redemption

Redemption

Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ritual defilement. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our hearts from deeds that lead to death so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Hebrews 9:13-14

My mom, Betty Banks, is an incredible person. For a petite woman in her seventies, she sure has a lot of pep! Some years ago, my mom and dad were having the outside of their house painted. Over the span of a week, the gentleman who painted their house saw my mom coming and going—running errands, mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, washing windows, and much more. At the end of the week, the painter said to her, “You have incredible energy! I have a favor to ask you. If I’m ever in the hospital needing a blood transfusion, may I please ask for a pint of your blood?”

In a blood transfusion, the donor’s blood becomes a substitute for the recipient’s blood. In other words, it takes the place of the original blood.

The Bible tells us that since we’re all sinners, we deserve death (Romans 6:23). But in God’s merciful plan, when Jesus redeemed us he became the substitute and sacrifice for our sins (1 Peter 3:18). The substitution Christ made for us isn’t limited to the exchange of our sins for his righteousness. He also gave his life to purify our hearts and make it possible for us to worship God. He cleanses us from the inside out, changing our hearts and giving us new desires. The purity he brings frees us from slavery to sin, prompting us to worship and serve him. If we place our faith in Christ, his redemption brings us from death to life and replaces our stony hearts of sin with new, obedient hearts (Ezekiel 36:26).

Father,

Thank you that your redemption brings cleansing to our hearts. May we serve you joyfully because you have freed us from our sins. In Jesus’ name, amen.