RANSOM
Ransom—A price paid to free someone from slavery, bondage or kidnappers.

“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:7-8 NLT

Long ago, in ancient times, a man was thrown into prison for a debt he could not pay. He had tried to earn the money but putting food on the table and buying clothes for his family had taken every penny he owed. He sat in the dark, dank dungeon for a long time wondering if he would ever see the light of day or feel the warmth of the sun again. He knew his family was poor and had no means to pay his ransom so he had not even a glimmer of hope for freedom. There was no way he could pay his debt, no way he could buy his ransom from prison. There were men in prison with him who had been there a long time, and tales were told of many who had lain rotting until death claimed them. He sat with his head down day after day. There was no hope. He would die alone in this stinking darkness.

However the man’s brother loved him and decided he would earn his ransom price no matter what it cost him. He worked long hours late into the night to earn extra money. He pleaded with all the man’s friends and relatives for any amount of money they could give. After many months, maybe a year or more, of much hard work, the ransom cost was raised. The brother took the ransom money to the judge, who gave the order to set the man free.

Can you imagine the man’s surprise when the jailer said someone had paid his debt, that the ransom had been paid? “You are free to go” were words sweet to his ears. Can you just imagine his joy when the light of day blinded his eyes and he felt the warmth of the sun on his face? Can you imagine the wonder when his brother gave him a big hug and his family rejoiced and celebrated his freedom?

What a picture of the our redemption, of our ransom paid with the blood of Jesus.

“For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone.” 1 Timothy 2:5-6 NLT

“For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose Him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days He has been revealed for your sake.” I Peter 1:18-19

Jesus says in Matthew 20:28 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus, my friend, paid your ransom price. He paid the debt you could not pay. You were born with the debt and you added to the debt as your life has gone on.

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” Romans 3:23 NLT

But Jesus, the Holy Son of God, the Prince of Peace, the Bright Morning Star has offered up the ransom price for your sins. He paid your debt with His death and blood on the cross.

Of course He didn’t stay in the grave. He had victory over death. He rose again to live so that we can have eternal life with Him in Glory. Those of us who love Him, follow a living God who walks with us here on earth every step of the way, giving us life abundantly through His Spirit. When we leave this earth, He will lead us to the Home He has prepared for us. We will step into the Light of the Son and feel the warmth and incredible joy of His presence and love.

Can you imagine this man in prison saying, “Naw, that could never happen. I don’t have a brother who would love me enough to do that. I don’t believe you.” Can you imagine him hanging his head and refusing to leave the darkness? Refusing the redemption that is offered him? Oh to sit in the moldy, stinking, dark cell refusing salvation, when he could walk in the light!

If you do not know Jesus this day, do not refuse His offer of redemption. He has paid your ransom. He stands at the prison door with arms outstretched saying, “Come. Come to me before its too late. Before the prison door is locked FOREVER. Come.”

  Jesus says, “Look! I stand at the door (of your heart) and knock. If you hear MY voice and open the door, I will come in and we will share a meal together as friends.” (Know you as a friend, have a relationship with you) Revelations 3:20 NLT

Leave the darkness, grab the hand of Jesus, walk into the light. Accept Him as your Savior. Ask Him to forgive your sins. He will. Every one. Make Him boss of your life. Follow Him, trust Him, cleave to Him, obey Him all the rest of your days.

Feel the warmth of His love. Experience His peace that surpasses understanding. Walk in His path. Let Him guide your steps. Rely on Him for everything you need. Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. He will be with you all the way, every day, of your life. And when you leave this earth you will be ushered into the Glorious Home He has prepared for you. And you will be with Him forever and ever.

Now, right now walk out of the darkness. Step into the Light.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son so that everyone who believes (follows, trusts, relies on, cleaves to, obeys) in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world but to save the world through Him.

There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.

And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but the people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. (evil is anything that is against God’s standards and values)

But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”
John 3:16-21 NLT

“If you openly declare Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith (allegiance to God) that you are saved.
For anyone who calls on the name of the Lord, (for redemption) will be saved.” Romans 10:9-19, 13