Recently the US State Department travel advisories put a K beside those countries with a risk of kidnapping by criminals and terrorists. The danger is real and the ransom demands are often very high.
Even so, the need for a ransom is not limited to certain countries or kidnapping cases. God’s Word explains that all human beings are held captive by sin and need a ransom to set us free. Otherwise we will perish. Romans 3:22–23 says, “There is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and Romans 6:23 adds, “For the wages of sin is death . . . .”
In the OT, this was illustrated in God’s law for those who committed murder. Numbers 35:31–32 shows how serious God considers human life. “Moreover, you shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer, who is guilty of death, but he shall be put to death. And you shall accept no ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may return to dwell in the land before the death of the high priest.”
Murder was not the only sin. The rich may think their money will save them from sin’s penalty but Psalm 49:7–9 says, “Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit.”
Yet the same song writer knew (verse 15)that “God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah.” The prophets also realized they would be ransomed from their captivity. Isaiah 51:11 joyfully declares that “The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
Jeremiah 31:11–14 tells the same thing:
“For the Lord has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord . . . . I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord.”
While redemption is free it is also a costly transaction. No one can pay their ransom without dying but in great mercy, the Lord sent Jesus to pay it for us. The NT declares it and this is great reason for joy!
Mark 10:45. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
1 Timothy 2:5–6. “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”
1 Peter 1:17–19. “And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”
Revelation 5:9–10. “And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.’”
GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. I know the emotion of a child gazing in wonder at the policeman who finds and releases him from kidnappers, and the joy of a slave set free from bondage. I was bought with a price, a very high price. My new life and freedom first required death — that of God the Son who died for me, and as Romans 6:6–7 says, my “old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that I would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.” He died for me and I ‘died’ in Him so I can now freely live for Him as one who has been ransomed!
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