Cross Purposes 3: Redemption Series

CROSS PURPOSES 5: REDEMPTION

For the past 4 weeks, we have been asking, “Why did Jesus Christ, the Son of God, die on the cross for us?” We keep asking the same question, because the cross impacts our lives in so many ways, that we can’t exhaust them all:

The cross shows the love of God.

In the cross, God shares our suffering.

The cross combines the justice and mercy of God, so that he can be “just and the one who justifies.”

The cross repairs our broken relationship: God reconciles us to himself on the cross.

Today, we look at the cross from a different angle: REDEMPTION. Titus 2:14 says, “Jesus Christ gave himself for us to REDEEM us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

What is redemption? It is reclaiming something that is lost. In books or movies, a person who made a mess of life finds redemption, in a new relationship, a change in attitude, or a new purpose. In sports, the baseball player who commits an error redeems himself by hitting a home run. In business, the salesperson who fails to meet her goals redeems herself by making a big sale. In marriage, the inconsiderate husband seeks redemption by surprising his wife with an extravagant gift. Redemption recovers a reputation, a relationship, or a lost soul.

When Paul spoke of redemption, his readers would have had a vivid image of what it meant. In places like Rome, Corinth or Ephesus, there were slave markets. Paul’s readers might have seen women poked, prodded, and paraded before the buyers. They might have seen men, captured in war, humiliated and sold to the highest bidder. Some of Paul’s readers were themselves slaves, as Paul gave instructions to slaves in 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, and Colossians.

What does redemption mean to a slave? Reclaiming freedom. A slave could only hope for a transaction at the slave market, where a rich person might buy him, only to set him free. Redemption means freedom.

That all seems quite foreign to us. We are not slaves—but how free are we?

In John 8, Jesus had a discussion with people who prided themselves in their status as free men. “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ They answered him, ‘We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?’ Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.’” (John 8:31-33)

What does that make us? Maybe we are not as free as we think.

Have you ever asked yourself, “Why did I do that? I knew it was wrong, and I told myself I would never act that way. Yet I did.”

Have you ever recognized that you were addicted to destructive behaviors? Maybe it was something like drugs or gambling, or the screen anchored to your eyes. Maybe it was more subtle, and just as deadly: unkind words, avoiding truth, or lustful thoughts.

Paul talks about being enslaved by “elemental spiritual forces” (Galatians 4:3). In Colossians 2:8, he says, “Make sure no one TAKES YOU CAPTIVE through hollow and deceptive philosophy…” We are constantly bombarded by spiritual and cultural forces which threaten to enslave us. Media companies like Disney/ESPN, gaming companies, and clothing brands have strategies to “own” people, from a young age. Influencers on social platforms, like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc., set the direction of culture. Marketing firms try to direct peoples’ needs and wants, and content providers—some real, some fake—try to define and shape reality.

Perhaps the strongest form of slavery is found within ourselves. Some people are enslaved by their past: their failures, their inability to compete in attractiveness or popularity, or bad choices. Some are consumed by shame, fear, insecurity, or an insatiable ego. Some are driven by a need to prove themselves.

Jesus said, “Anyone who sins is a slave to sin.” Then he went on to say to those who are enslaved to sin, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

HOW DID JESUS SET US FREE?

-JESUS MADE A PERSONAL INVESTMENT IN OUR REDEMPTION.

***Earlier this year, comedian John Oliver forgave 14.9 million dollars of medical debt. He purchased the debt for only $60,000, because it was beyond the statute of limitations, and legally uncollectable. Technically the debt was still owed, and the people who owed the debt received letters telling them their debts were forgiven and they were released from their obligations to their creditors. John Oliver was a hero, although the deal cost him nothing personally; his advertisers covered the debt. Oliver was safely on the set of his show, proclaiming freedom, without any real connection to the debtors. He would not be available to help any of debtors who called upon him in the future.**