Meaning of Redemption

UV 550/10,000 The Meaning of Redemption Isaiah 43 v 1 “ But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou are mine.” Scripture reveals that the God Lord created us, meaning mankind for His glory and for fellowship with human beings. The very purpose of creating us in His image or being vested with aspects of His divine personality and character is that we can enter into and remain in a personal relationship with Him. But, like Jacob we are reluctant followers of God- by our very nature, we tend to run away from God and instead of yielding to His better judgement, generous grace and perfect will we like “ Israel” struggle with God. The word “ redeemed” or ransomed implies that for a time we were sold or purchased by the enemy of our souls. Jacob means “ heel catcher” as he caught onto the heal of his elder twin Esau at the time of birth. In the book of Genesis, it is written that the Saviour would crush the serpent or Satan under His heel. So when we are redeemed by our trust in the name, plan and work of redemption of Jesus of all mankind, we too can crush evil under our heel. We have power to crush serpents and scorpions under our feet. We shall show our heel to our foes and adversaries. Jacob was given a new name, “ Israel” by God Himself. Similarly, the Lord gives each of us a new name that defines the essential aspect of our personal relationship with Him. Our status is altered by faith: we are no longer Jacob or Israel but we are the redeemed children of God. He calls us by our name and calls us His own. Therefore, we need not fear sin or its consequences- death and its relatives. He did not just create us but He formed us in our mothers’ wombs. He did not just form us, but He transforms us. Since He owns us, whatever belongs to Him is ours to share. He will lead and guide us. He will purify us and create a zeal in us to do good works since we are His handiwork. He does not promise to keep us out of difficulties but he promises to help us in difficult or even impossible situations. The word “ now” in the uni-verse implies that this is a continuing commitment or covenant of God with each and every human being who choses to believe in the promise. The uni-verse starts off with the word “ but” which implies “ despite all our doubt, past experiences and faithlessness. The Lord gives us a fresh beginning. The consciousness or knowledge that we are His and He is ours should keep us from fearing. The simple words, “ Fear not” implies that we should neither feel guilty about the past nor anxious about the future. Many believers crucify themselves between the two thieves- guilt about the past and anxiety about the future. Since He has formed us personally and called us by our names, He will hear us when we call Him as He will recognize our names and fulfill our need. He knows what we are made of -spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and physically. He knows our bodies and its infirmities and strengths more intimately than a physician. He knows our minds and our thinking in greater detail than any psychologist or psychiatrist. He knows our desires and our longings more personally than our parents or our spouse or our dearest friends. He will not let us be ashamed or confused. He will give us victory, triumph, success and fulfillment as no one else can. Prateep V Philip