THE CHILDREN'S RANSOM

Redemption and ransom have almost the same meaning especially as they both cause our souls to rest on the Lord Jesus and His work. In the types of Scripture the boards of the tabernacle each had two bases of silver which were solid enough to keep them upright in a howling desert. These boards represent Christian believers each and all enjoying the benefit of both redemption and ransom. Each silver base was very valuable and was too heavy for a man to carry in the wilderness so that ox-waggons were used. Thus no mere man could redeem or ransom one precious soul. Also none of the boards ever actually touched the earth just as the believer is "not of the world" but is a pilgrim.

Perhaps we more easily understand redemption which means that God has bought us for Himself by causing the burden of our sins to be taken away at the cost of the precious blood of Jesus. In this way we belong to Him as our Creator and also our Redeemer. The word 'ransom' was used by Paul as describing the way in which "the man Christ Jesus" stood between a holy God and fallen, sinful men, women and children. It was not that God needed someone to plead with Him for mercy on His creatures. His full and free love had already been shown in the wondrous fact that He sent His Son into the world as Saviour. But to have His creature in happy communion with Himself it required that righteousness be satisfied by an acceptable sacrifice. This in grace Jesus provided and as Mediator between God and man He "gave himself a ransom for all". The Lord had also spoken to His disciples of giving His life "a ransom for many" which looked forward to the hosts of those who by faith would enjoy the blessings available to them.

A young Roman had been called before the judges on account of proved treason to his country. However, as sentence of death was rightly passed on him his elder brother who had been wounded in his country's wars pleaded for the young man's life to be spared. In doing so he held up the stumps of his arms which had been cut off in warfare. He confessed that his brother was guilty and was worthy of death but he presented to the judges the value of what he himself had done for his country. The guilty man was mercifully spared because of the merits of another. Surely none would have been more faithful than he henceforth! Thus the believer on the Lord Jesus is spared on account of the work of One who gave Himself a ransom for him or her personally. Can you do other than be faithful to Him?

J.C.Evershed