In Scripture, the term “redemption” has a very broad application. It is used for the process of buying back the personal property of inheritance and of persons (Lev. 25:51-52; Ruth 4), the ransom of a man’s soul (Ps. 49:8), salvation, justification, and forgiveness of sin by the grace of God (Rom. 3:24), the fullness of our salvation and inheritance (Eph. 1:14), including a glorified body fit for heaven (Rom. 8:23), and the salvation of the saved remnant of Israel towards the end of the Tribulation Period, also known as Daniel’s 70th week (Jer. 30:7; Dan. 9:24-27; Luke 21:28).
However, the foundation of redemption is rooted in the Old Testament record of acceptable sacrifices, including the Jewish sacrifices prescribed in the Mosaic Law. The essential element of these sacrifices was the shedding of blood by an innocent substitute. The clearest example is demonstrated by contrasting the offerings of Cain and Abel. Cain offered the works of his hands from the cursed ground. Abel offered a young lamb slain on the altar – its blood was shed. God had respect unto Abel’s offering, confirmed thousands of years later by the writer to the Hebrews (Heb. 11:4). The shedding of blood established a more excellent sacrifice than that of Cain. Regardless of purpose, whether the atonement of sin, the deliverance from pagan nations, or the expression of worship, it was accompanied by praise and thanksgiving to God.
A second Old Testament case reflects the same essential element of redemption. The Passover lamb, slain the night before Israel’s exodus from Egyptian captivity, required not only the shedding of blood, but also the application and presentation of the lamb’s blood on the lintel and doorposts of the Jewish home. God’s approval was clearly voiced by the statement “When I see the blood, I will pass over you,” saving the life of the firstborn in the home (Ex. 12:13, 21-23). God reminds erring Israel of this redeeming work over and over in His subsequent dealings with them. This practice and ordinance of blood shedding, an essential element of redemption, is well established in the Old Testament.
Some may say, “Well that is the Old Testament. We are under the New Covenant of Grace.” God’s methods and practices from dispensation to dispensation do differ, but His standards of holiness and His means of dealing with sin have not changed. This truth is clearly stated in Hebrews chapter 9 where the writer compares the necessity of sacrificial blood under the Mosaic Law with the necessity of Christ’s blood to “put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” Hebrews 9:22 says: “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” Therefore, as New Testament believers, we can have “…boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh” (Heb. 10:19-20).
This truth is well established for us in the remembrance service Christ initiated on the evening of His betrayal. After the Jewish Passover Feast, Christ symbolized His suffering and death by crucifixion with two objects: a loaf of bread and a cup of the fruit of the vine (wine). The bread broken spoke of His body torn on the cruel cross and the cup represented the blood that flowed from it. With these two symbols He asked that we remember Him (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26). Would we ever consider having the communion service with just the bread and eliminate the cup? Of course not! Thus, we speak of the blood of Christ as an essential element in the work of redemption.
The New Testament Greek rendering for redemption can be translated as “ransom in full” or “redeemed.” The word “redeemed” in the Greek offers a picture of one going into the market place and buying back something previously owned – to buy up for the purpose of rescuing from loss. Figuratively as our Redeemer, Christ buys us back from the slave market of sin by the shedding of His blood which is the price of our salvation.
Consider the following verses and the association of blood in the work of redemption:
“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (1 Pet. 1:18-19)
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Eph. 1:7)
“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:14)
Over the years I have been party to discussions by well-meaning believers that held to the position that the shedding of Christ’s blood was not necessary – only the fact that He died for us. They felt a need to disengage their minds from what they viewed as a “bloody gospel.” Hymns about the blood were expunged from their hymnals. From time to time this error finds its way back among us.
The Jews believed in stoning to carry out capital punishment. In the time of Christ, the Jews had no power to execute Christ, for they were under the authority of Rome. In any event, stoning would not have been acceptable to God, for His Son, the Lamb of God must pour out His blood for our sins. In the perfect sovereign will of God, the Romans introduced crucifixion in the second century BC as the form of execution for the most serious offenses. This change complemented the prophecies of Scripture and the biblical necessity of blood being shed for our sins. It satisfied God’s divine plan for Christ to be the future offering for sin. As the sinless Lamb, He shed His blood for our sins.
A picture of the wonderful work of redemption can be seen in the life of Ruth and Boaz. Elimelech, Naomi and their two sons had left Bethlehem, traveling to Moab because of a famine. Elimelech died in Moab and the two sons who had married Moabite women also died (Ruth 1:1-5). Naomi and Ruth, one of her daughters-in-law, subsequently returned to Bethlehem (Ruth 1:6-22). Boaz, a near relative desired to marry Ruth and redeem Naomi’s inheritance (Ruth 3:8-13). The nearest family member had first choice to redeem the inheritance but he declined (a picture of the Law). Boaz, the willing and able kinsman redeemer, was now free to “ransom in full and pay the price” for his wife (a picture of Christ our Kinsman Redeemer). Boaz elected to proceed and bought back the inheritance and married Ruth (Ruth 4:4-17).
When man was created in the image and likeness of the Triune God (Gen. 1:26-27), he belonged to God. Sin brought us into captivity to Satan and by nature we became sons of disobedience (Eph. 2:1-3). Fallen mankind became separated from God. However, in His grace and mercy, God proceeded to buy us back from the slave market of sin. This redemption could only be accomplished by a perfect, sinless substitute who would bear our sins and endure the wrath of God we all deserved. God’s love for the sinner and the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ brought about a redemption that is eternal for all who accept Christ as their Savior. Thus, every blood-bought child of God can say “I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine” (Song. 6:3).
Revelation 1:5-6 summarizes the grand work of redemption: “And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us (freed us) from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”