Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
The verse above says, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. This word redeemer is used throughout the Bible. Just what is meant by the title redeemer? What do you think of when you hear the word? The answer to this question depends upon whom you ask.
For one, the Redeemer of the Bible is not the super hero in the comic book series Spawn. In Spawn, the Redeemer is Heaven's answer to the Hellspawn. The Ethereal Masters seek the assistance of the Star Chamber to create a durable, loyal soldier for the forces of good. This is in no way the Redeemer of the Bible.
The "Redeemers" were a political wing in the South of the Bourbon Democrats. They were conservative, pro-business wing of the Democratic Party during Reconstruction. This of course has nothing to do with the Bible.
There are a few song albums named Redeemer by bands and a video game that carries the name. Star Trek had Redeemers in one show as well. But what does the Bible mean when it uses this word?
First, the New Testament ideas of redemption need to be seen in light of the Old Testament usage. The Old Testament has the idea of ransom or ransom price given. To see this better, we find three words used in the Old Testament that we must consider.
The first is “gaal” meaning to “set free” or “goel” which is translated “kinsman redeemer.” This refers to a relative helping out a family member in order to keep the honor or possessions of the family. For example, if a man lost his property through a debt, as was the case of Naomi’s husband found in the Bible, it was the duty of the kinsman redeemer, (in this case, Boaz) to buy the property back. This would restore the lost possession to the family as well as show honor. This could also be extended to buying a family member out of slavery.
The second word is “padah” meaning “to ransom by paying a price” as in the redemption of the first-born, which would otherwise belong to the Lord.
Exodus 13 ..
12 That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD's.
13 And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.
14 And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:
The third word is “kopher” which means “a ransom price”. If a person had an ox that gored a person to death and it was proven that the owner of the ox was negligent in the death, then by law the owner would be put to death. But the owner could redeem his life by kopher.
Exodus 21..
28 If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.
29 But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.
30 If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.
These three words together show the fundamental meaning of the word redemption found in the social and religious life of Israel of the Old Testament. We are forced to pick up this same meaning in the New Testament. Also, it should be noted that the same idea is found in the secular Greek in Bible times.
Moving to the New Testament to examine the meaning we find in Matthew 20..
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Here Christ says His life is the ransom. Also please look at this verse.
Titus 2..
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Here again, Christ says He gave Himself, gave Himself up to the cross, to redeem us.
Last we see the most powerful passage on Christ’s ransom.
1 Peter 1..
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
What does all this tell us?
It is clear that the Bible points to Christ as the only true redeemer. It is also clear when this work was done. The work was finished on the cross when Christ gave His life and shed His blood for us.
Now I must ask. Was the work of Christ on the cross effective? Did Christ redeem us or not? If you answer yes, You must deal with the issue of ownership.
Who then owns us?
The great Gospel of Jesus Christ not only redeemed us by the payment of His death, but it also purchased us out of the slave market and permanently set us free to never return to it’s bondage. The redeemed person has come under new ownership and management. We now belong to Christ.
Then Paul wrote, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us”
The price our Redeemer paid was so great that no one can possibly top the price He paid! Who could even match the price? We were purchased at the infinite cost of the blood of the Son of God. What could hold more value to God then His own Son? What could you or anyone give that God could not make 1,000,000 copies of in your next breath? I tell you, nothing is more precious than the infinite value of that blood.
More than this, we are not up for sale! No one can purchase us away from God for God is not in the soul selling business. We have been delivered, “luo” "to set free, to loose, or deliver" by the payment of a price.
The results of redemption.
Redemption has two consequences. First, it means we are free. Paradoxical as it may sound; to be bought by Jesus is to be set free. Free from guilt and tyranny of the law and from sin’s power.Galatians 5
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Yet this does not mean we are free to do anything we want. It does not mean we are free to sin or to fall back into rebellion toward God and unfaithfulness.
We are released by God to serve God. We are set free in order to follow God’s will for our lives. We are delivered in order to love Jesus.
1 Corinthians 6
19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
God is the reward. There was a time in my life I did not understand this, but God is indeed the reward folks. Christ the Redeemer is what will make Heaven great, not the streets of gold. The light in Heaven comes from the King of Heavens face, not from the pearly gates. All glory will be found in God, not in a angel that flies with wings.
Have you paused and thanked God for His Son who actually shed His blood to redeem you?
Have you ever considered the exceptionally great price that was paid for your salvation? It is the most expensive gift you will ever receive. It is not cheap just because it is free.