BEING RANSOMED

I Was Just Thinking About - - -

Whether used as a noun or verb, the word ransom has a basic and clear intent: “the release of captured prisoners or property on payment of a stipulated price; the price demanded or stipulated for such a release; rescue or redemption of any kind.” The media is reporting that four captives held in Iran were released coincidentally with $400 million sent by the United States in Euros, Francs and other foreign currencies.

The word ransom has a basic and clear intent spiritually. There is no vagueness attached and no argument that something took place coincidentally. The purpose of Jesus Christ is clearly stated and defined. In Matthew 20:28, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Also, I Timothy 2:5-6, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for the testimony that was given at just the right time.” In Galatians 3:13; Galatians 4:5, Paul uses a compound word (exagorazo), which is equivalent to and meaning: "redeem, buy off, deliver by paying the price." The Book of Revelation 5:9 makes this declaration: “And they sang a new song: Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased (ransomed, redeemed) for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”

The secular world and political persons will continue to debate the intent of the actions of the United States. It comes down to the hackneyed expression: “Will you believe what you are being told or what your lying eyes have observed?” The spiritual world will identify with the fact of a ransom having been paid and rejoice in the words of I Peter 1:18-21 (NLT), “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days. Through Christ you have come to trust in God.”

Julia Harriet Johnston (1849-1919) wrote words to more than 500 Hymns. One of them, Hallelujah, What A Savior, expresses:

                Stanza 1:

He in loving-kindness sought me,

And from sin and shame hath brought me,

Hallelujah! Jesus ransomed me. 

               Stanza 2:

With His precious blood He bought me,

When I knew Him not, He sought me,

And in love divine He ransomed me.

Prayerfully – Consider these things with me!