Redemption & Propitiation

Ephesians 1:7; Romans 3:23-25

Few words can conjure up such a reaction as the two words we are looking at today. Redemption is probably a familiar term; however, are you aware it is a term relating to a buying back from slavery? The imagery behind this word comes from the ancient slave market. It meant paying the necessary ransom to obtain the prisoner or slave’s release. The only adequate payment to redeem sinners from sin’s slavery and its deserved punishment was “in Christ Jesus”, and was paid to a Holy God to satisfy His justice. The second word is less familiar and you may have never heard it. It is propitiation and it refers to Christ’s sacrifice and its significance in the appeasement or satisfaction of God’s righteous anger at man’s sin against Him. Christ’s violent death satisfied the offended holiness and wrath of God against those for whom Christ died. In this, God could be both just and the justifier of fallen man who would turn to Him. Wow! 

Questions for further thought:
1. When you think about what lengths Christ went to redeem you and me, what thoughts come to mind?
 
2. Maybe you’ve never considered you had to be purchased or redeemed by Christ. How does that make you feel?

Challenge: Think about the slavery imagery that these words portray and answer these questions: Am I a slave to sin or a slave to Christ? To what evidence will I point to back up my answer?