Day 3: Redemption
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” – 1 Peter 1:18-19, New International Version
First Responders
First responders demonstrate their heroism by putting their lives on the line in emergency situations in order to rescue those in danger. Police, firefighters, paramedics or just good citizens rush in when others rush out.
Garden Emergency
In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve needed rescue. Sin had corrupted the world. Death, disease, pain and conflict had marred God’s perfect creation.
Even worse, something important within Adam and Eve had died. They had lost their connection with their Creator, Caregiver and Companion.
This was no reality show; they were naked and afraid.
In this disaster, God was the first responder. He didn’t sugarcoat the situation. Life would be hard, but we also see the clues that God would begin the rescue plan right there and then.
He made a promise that a distant descendant of Adam and Eve would fix what the serpent ruined.
Then, as they watched, God sacrificed an innocent animal to cover their naked bodies. In this they saw the first sign that God’s promised Redeemer would also need to die to cover their shame.
The rest of the Bible reveals how God responded to our disaster.
Redemption
The people of God in the Old Testament looked forward to how God would rescue them. Job prophetically said, “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth” (Job 19:25, New International Version).
New Testament believers looked back on what God did for them. Paul observes, “Jesus Christ ... gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own” (Titus 2:14, New International Version).
God’s story reveals one overarching theme: Redemption.
God did not leave us in the rubble and ruin of our fallen state, but, from the first moment, rushed in to rescue us.
Next: God does not come to us on our terms. We come to Him on His terms, and this includes how we are saved. God calls to a doomed world to say there is a way out.
Questions:
- In what ways do you experience the need for redemption?
- God, at great cost to Himself, rescues us from the consequences of our (and Adam's) choices. What are some particular ways we should respond to God’s rescue of us?
- In what ways do you personally like to express your thanks to God?
Going Deeper:
- Read Genesis 3:14-24
- Read The Cosmic Code
- Read The Drama Begins
