1 Peter1:18-21
“knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
“knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
We have been redeemed; bought with a price. I’m sure our first parents didn’t fall on day one, but it sure didn’t seem long. The Lord instantly sought to repair it by providing clothes made of animal skin. He spent the next several thousand years progressively revealing Himself to Israel. The Law and the system of sacrifices provided a consistent way for people to have a relationship with God. Two things became clear, “without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” Hebrews 9:22 and ” “Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?” Acts 15:10. That second was that it was too difficult.
The payment for sin is the life of the sinner. We could pay it, but we wouldn’t survive it. The payment would be eternal. Jesus steps in as the savior of the world. He picks up the tab. We are forever indebted.
To live the righteous life of the Old Testament was too difficult. Not being under that system, I can’t speak of that first hand. I do know enslavement to sin. What acompanied it was the great yearning for salvation. We see the desperation of broken lives. God holds the key to redemption. When we do receive Him and His forgiveness we are grateful. Peter said in verse 8 that we “greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory”.
We can never be thankful enough. The way we word things is awkward, “Have you received Christ?” It’s almost like He’s the rejected one who needs friends. With His heroic act and great love He should be treated much more honorably. However, He is willing to be the one who reaches out. This is further evidence of His greatness.
Lord, thank You for paying the price and drawing us to Youself. Help us to be ever grateful.