Born to Redeem
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace”. Eph.1:7
Having just passed Christmas Day we may still be reminiscing on the coming of Christ into the world. As we do so it is useful to see beyond the ‘babe in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger’. We would do well to consider his mission – his real purpose in coming to earth. And redemption is identified as that mission.
Having just passed Christmas Day we may still be reminiscing on the coming of Christ into the world. As we do so it is useful to see beyond the ‘babe in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger’. We would do well to consider his mission – his real purpose in coming to earth. And redemption is identified as that mission.
To redeem is to ‘buy back’ or to ‘recover by effort or stipulated payment’. We redeem coupons and tokens for their specified value. We pay a ransom to regain the freedom of someone held hostage. Implicit in the concept of redemption is that of deliverance. Therefore redemption is to be seen as delivering someone from a situation from which he or she is powerless to liberate self or from a penalty which he or she could never pay.
ChristÂ’s mission on earth was therefore that of recovering a people made hostage by the power of sin. So when he came to earth he came under such conditions that could be identified with the concept of redemption. Herod tried to take him hostage at his birth. Among their gifts the Wise Men brought frankincense, symbolic of the suffering he would endure. Simeon immediately recognised his redemptive role as he was presented in the temple.
Hence, at this juncture of the Christian calendar it is possible to recognise and acknowledge the mission of the Christ Child whose birthday we are yet celebrating. Indeed, the fore-knowledge of his mission makes his birth more significant. The gift of God’s love in the incarnation is manifold more meaningful as it is seen against the background of the need and the reason for such a gift. The sacrifice of this gift is seen more in the fulfilment of his mission than in the smiling babe, even without a proper bed. He was still honoured then, and given gifts. But with the fulfilment of his mission he was bereft of honour and was taken hostage by a loved one. Yet all this was to accomplish the task of redeeming us. His own life was given for this purpose. In the Christ Child we have ‘redemption through his blood’, therefore his birth was for our redemption and from Christmas we can begin to focus on the salvation of Christ.
Prayer: Lord, help us as we celebrate the birth of Christ, to see his mission from now and truly give thanks that his birth facilitated such redemption for us. Amen.
ChristÂ’s mission on earth was therefore that of recovering a people made hostage by the power of sin. So when he came to earth he came under such conditions that could be identified with the concept of redemption. Herod tried to take him hostage at his birth. Among their gifts the Wise Men brought frankincense, symbolic of the suffering he would endure. Simeon immediately recognised his redemptive role as he was presented in the temple.
Hence, at this juncture of the Christian calendar it is possible to recognise and acknowledge the mission of the Christ Child whose birthday we are yet celebrating. Indeed, the fore-knowledge of his mission makes his birth more significant. The gift of God’s love in the incarnation is manifold more meaningful as it is seen against the background of the need and the reason for such a gift. The sacrifice of this gift is seen more in the fulfilment of his mission than in the smiling babe, even without a proper bed. He was still honoured then, and given gifts. But with the fulfilment of his mission he was bereft of honour and was taken hostage by a loved one. Yet all this was to accomplish the task of redeeming us. His own life was given for this purpose. In the Christ Child we have ‘redemption through his blood’, therefore his birth was for our redemption and from Christmas we can begin to focus on the salvation of Christ.
Prayer: Lord, help us as we celebrate the birth of Christ, to see his mission from now and truly give thanks that his birth facilitated such redemption for us. Amen.
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