About Us Quarterly Magazine Meditation: The Great Ransom
Meditation: The Great Ransom Print E-mail
Saturday, 17 October 2009 11:28
By Rev. William Pols

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. I Timothy 2:5-6
When we hear the word, ransom, we might think of kidnapping victims: innocent children stolen from their wealthy parents by evil men, demanding money in exchange for their lives. The very thought might stir our anger at such evil, and our compassion for innocent victims and anxious parents. Wouldn't you be willing to contribute some money for their rescue?
But the ransom of Christ is not for innocent victims, tied or handcuffed by evil men. It is for guilty law-breakers, 'lawful captives,' held by the righteous judgment of God and facing the penalty of eternal death. This is the true state of all the people of this world without Christ.
God's saving compassion for such people (like you and me) is the good news of amazing grace. He has provided the only ransom that can rescue from death. No mere act of power could break us free from our guilt and captivity to sin, and no amount of money could buy our deliverance. A great sum of money or jewels is sometimes called a king's ransom. Only a king could afford to pay such a treasure for a ransom price. But the only kind of 'king's ransom' that provides redemption for sinners is the death of Christ the King in their place. And so "He gave Himself a ransom.” As Jesus Himself said, the “Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). He substituted His own innocent life to death under the curse we deserve. This ransom is great enough to deliver the whole lost and condemned world. It is a "ransom for all.” There is nothing lacking to its value and sufficiency to save the worst of sinners, whoever they may be.
God's will is that the testimony of this great ransom be carried to the entire world. And so Christ commissioned the apostles, such as Paul, the preacher and teacher of the Gentiles (I Timothy 2:7). This task belongs to the church until the end of time. This commission surely is the main reason why we are to pray for civil authorities, and for all men. It is so that this good news of Christ may advance.
Just as there is but one God and one Mediator, there is but one ransom that delivers from the curse and misery of sin. Nothing can be added to this ransom. No contributions are necessary or possible. It must only be announced to the captives of sin, and the Holy Spirit will do His gracious work of making its power known. If we have experienced the grace of this ransom, let us serve God's desire that all people come to the knowledge of this saving truth.

Rev. William Pols is the pastor of the Orthodox Reformed Church of Edmonton, Alberta.
 
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