Today’s Scripture: 1 Peter 1:18

“You were ransomed.”

We associate the word ransom with kidnapping, but this hasn’t always been its primary association. Centuries ago, ransom was the payment given an enemy country to secure the release of prisoners of war. In Bible times a ransom was the price paid to gain freedom for a slave. To pay a ransom was to purchase back someone from captivity or slavery.

Jesus said, “The Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28, NIV). To fully understand his meaning we must examine the related word redeem, which means to buy back or release someone from slavery or captivity by paying a ransom. Redemption, then, is the action to secure release; while ransom is the price paid to effect the action.

Jesus said he would give his life as “a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Clearly his life was considered as a ransom payment. Just what was the captivity from which the “many” are ransomed? Hebrews 9:15 tells us that Jesus “died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant” (NIV). And what does it mean to be set free from sins committed under the first covenant?

Paul’s answer: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). To be set free from the sins committed under the first covenant and to be redeemed from the curse of the law are essentially synonymous expressions. Christ shed his blood and gave his life as a ransom to redeem us from this curse. As a captive held in chains is set free when the ransom is paid, so all who trust in Christ are set free from the condemnation and curse of the law. (Excerpt taken from The Gospel for Real Life)

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