Ransom

RANSOM
noun
1.  the redemption of a prisoner, slave, or kidnapped person, of captured goods, etc., for a price.
2.  the sum or price paid or demanded.
3.  a means of deliverance or rescue from punishment for sin, especially the payment of a redemptive fine.
verb (used with object)
4.  to redeem from captivity, bondage, detention, etc., by paying a demanded price.
5.  to release or restore on receipt of a ransom.
6.  to deliver or redeem from punishment for sin.

This word came up in Sunday's sermon and has been with me ever since. It keeps replaying itself over and over in my head.

1 Timothy 2:5-6:  For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.  

Matthew 20:28  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. 

Galatians 1:3-5   Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,  who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,  to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.

Redemption price. Something to loosen with. These are the definitions given in the Strong's Concordance.   I've been left wondering where God is going with this.  When something sticks with me like this, I know God has something He is trying to get me to understand or see....and as I write this I believe I am starting to see a tie in with what He's been showing me recently.  There is always purpose behind God's visits...His hand touches and reveals because He lovingly desires a deeper relationship, a change in our hearts, a direction to follow, His good plan to fulfill.

So, I am seeing the chain from ransom linking back to Romans 12.  Romans 12:1  And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you.   Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind He will find acceptable.  This is truly the way to worship Him.  

Is there any doubt, that our lives should reflect the gratitude of a ransomed people?  Rescued, redeemed, and ransomed for a purpose.  To be God's holy people, shining His light and love into the world around us.  Living out Romans 12.  Loving the connection here!  In order to want to live the life God calls us to, we must first understand what we've been saved from....how we've been rescued and who paid our ransom.  God is so good.

Lord, create in us a heart of understanding and gratitude.  Thank You for being our ransom.  Let that knowledge make us want to live our lives for You, letting go of selfishness, self centered-ness, and self focus.  Lord help me!

This week, let's mediate on Jesus our ransom and what it means in our lives.