Redemption

REDEMPTION

         Redemption is an old fashioned word. I don't hear it much anymore. Maybe that says something about me. I'm old fashioned, too. I think it has something to say to the new generation. The Bible uses two words to carry the meaning of redemption. One means "bought in the market place." It is as if you went to the market and bought a thing you had sold. The other word means to buy it "out of the market place," or to remove it from further transaction.
         Watchman Nee was a Chinese preacher in the 30's and 40's of the last century. I retell a story of his to illustrate the meaning of redemption.
         A man, we'll call him Mr. Chee, was riding a train. He was sitting with three other men, and the seats were arranged so that two of them were facing the other two. One of them had a deck of cards and suggested that they play a game using a suitcase on their knees as a table.
         Mr. Chee said, "I'm sorry, but I cannot play with you." The others promised to teach him.
         "That is not the problem," Mr. Chee said. "You see, I have no hands."
         "We see your hands. That is no excuse," they protested.
         "These hands are not mine," Mr. Chee replied, holding up his hands. "These hands belong to Jesus, and I can do only those things that He commissions me to do with them. I do not say that what you are doing is wrong, only that these hands cannot participate."
         You are redeemed, bought with a price, Paul says. In this God has a purpose for us. We are not just freed from something, sin. We are also freed to something, service. We are bought with a price, freed to serve.
         My own sin removed me from God's sphere, and Jesus bought me back "out of the market place" so that I am no longer available. God did not remove my will, but only by a conscious choice will I ever leave Jesus. He has promised not to leave me.
         Redeemed! How I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.