Lent Devotional: RestoreSample

Restore: Redemption

This is how the Oxford English Dictionary defines the word redemption: “The action of freeing, delivering, restoring, or reclaiming something.” God made the whole of creation, but in the fall, the relationship between God and that creation was broken: human and non-human creation were “lost” from God – like the lost sheep in Jesus’ parable.

But God had a plan to redeem his creation – and this is the story of the Bible. God tells Moses of his plan to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, saying, “I will redeem you.” (Exodus 6:6) The Exodus is a moment in history when God redeems his people.

Christ’s death on the cross is another – the ultimate moment of redemption. In this event God reclaims the whole of creation from the power of sin and death and reunites it to him, so that all can flourish again.

Thank God for the gift of Christ Jesus, who redeems us, and the whole of creation. Take a moment to think about, imagine or remember what it feels like to be unable to live freely because of poverty or injustice, and then to feel a moment of liberation and redemption. Share those feelings with God in prayer.

Hannah Swithinbank, Tearfund