Dec 2 Jesus the Redeemer

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” I Corinthians 1:26-31

Why oh why Lord would you ever redeem me? Growing up moving from one school to the other caused me to feel many things. Being the new girl gave me a lot of attention but it also fed the feelings of insecurity.  Would I ever fit in? Would I ever have good friends? Would I have to say goodbye again? I struggled for years with the concept of being good enough for others to like me. Then one day its all changed.

Jesus came right up to me, and asked if He could be my Redeemer. He wanted to take me, the battered, insecure, burdened, wild hearted girl and free me. He asked if I wanted to live a different life, one filled with His love, His peace, His power. It was difficult to believe that I could have such a beautiful thing. Everything He offered me has come true!  I am His redeemed!

Redemption  means "a purchase" or "a ransom." Usually it referred to the purchase of a slave's freedom.  When the price was paid for a slaves freedom he was "redeemed". In Exodus God spoke of Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt: "I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment" Exodus 6:6

Jesus purchased us so that we may be free!

Prayer
Jesus thank you for redeeming us, for seeing us as holy and clean, pure and valuable.  We praise you because you bought us at a great price so that we could forever be with you and with the Father.  No longer are we bound by the past or by the power of sin, we are yours! Help us to walk in confidence because of your redeeming love.