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Redeeming Worship

“Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.”

Psalm 31:3-5

You have probably heard the term ransom before. You might have heard this term in connection with a “ransom note” or someone being “held for ransom.” A simple definition of ransom is “a payment demanded for the release of a prisoner.” The term comes from a Latin word which means “buying back.” When a ransom is paid, the person has literally been “bought back.”

The concept of redemption is found throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word “padah” can be translated as ransom, redeem, redemption, and even rescue. All of these are related concepts because, in all cases, the individual has no hope on their own. They need someone to step in and pay their ransom. Examples of this kind of ransom include being set free from slavery, being rescued from doom, and also sacrificial offerings given to redeem someone or something.

The people of Israel had no way to bring about their own freedom during their captivity and slavery in Egypt. They needed a savior with the power and resources to redeem them. "But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt"(Deuteronomy 7:8). God has repeatedly stepped in as the redeemer.

In the New Testament, the ultimate redemption takes place through Jesus Christ. "Just as 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).

Christ was sent to earth to become the greatest sacrifice. He willingly offered his life as a ransom. In the past, animal sacrifices were offered to pay for the sins and offenses of others, but Christ came to pay for the sins of the world once and for all.

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. (1 Peter 1:18-20)

It was the precious blood of Jesus that brought about your redemption!

Having a clearer understanding of what the word ‘redeem’ means in the Bible allows us to apply this to our worship. Try taking the word “redeem” and making the word an adjective before the word “worship”- redeeming worship. Redeeming worship is the opportunity to take back all of our worship and return it to the one who has redeemed us.

As we fix our eyes on Jesus, we can practice redeeming worship every day. We can take back worship that we have given away and return it to our Lord. Satan loves to take our eyes off Jesus. He loves to distract us with the things of this world, with the love of self, and with the sins that so easily entangle. But we are the people who have been redeemed. Our freedom was costly. Why would we ever walk back into the slavery we have been rescued from?

Let us redeem our worship by bringing all of our worship to the Lord each day.

"Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story" (Psalm 107:2).

We have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ!

Reflection:

Have you ever thought of yourself as someone who has been ransomed or redeemed?

How does the costliness of Jesus’ sacrifice impact the way you live today?