O PERFECT REDEMPTION!

“But with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained ETERNAL REDEMPTION” – Hebrews 9:12b

Whatever we may know about Perfection is meaningless if we cannot truly proclaim “O PERFECT REDEMPTION”: “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption” (Heb.9: 12). One of the most amazing truths throughout the entire Bible and a marvellous theme in the book of Hebrews is that Jesus obtained eternal redemption for those who put saving faith in Him. Our sins are completely paid for, eternally forgiven, forgotten and removed from all records.

In the Old Testament redemption was the process of buying something back. For instance if a person sold a piece of property to another, by law, the seller or a family member could redeem their land so that no family would be without their inheritance (Lev. 25:23-25). If they didn’t have the means for redemption then everything was returned to them in the Year of Jubilee (Lev. 25:28). This principle applied to land, people and possessions. The Law made it possible for the next of kin, also known as “kinsman redeemer” to rescue a person or property (Lev. 25:47-55). Redemption was a family matter.

Humankind was sold into slavery in the Garden of Eden. Adam, God’s representative, had been given full authority and possession of the earth (Gen. 1:28-30). Everything belonged to him, but through disobedience he transferred this birth right to Satan. By the Law of the Kinsman-Redeemer only a relative could redeem that which was lost or sold. This is why Jesus came in the flesh, fully God and fully man: “He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor; therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; and His own righteousness, it sustained Him” (Isa.59:16). Jesus became our brother so humankind could be redeemed: “For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren” (Heb. 2:11).

Jesus – the second Adam – was able to undo everything that the first Adam did. He restored our birth right through the redemption process (Rom.5:8). Jesus acted as our Kinsman Redeemer and purchased back everything that was lost in Eden. What Christ has done is of Eternal value. It is of timeless effect. Its value does not vanish or diminish over time, and it needs not be repeated yearly. The Timeless Christ died on the Timeless Cross, and rose by the Power of the Eternal Spirit!

​Perfect Redemption is ours through the Blood of Christ: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph.1:7). Unlike the blood of bulls and goats, the very blood that flows out on Calvary is enough to cleanse every guilt-ridden conscience and clear from all guilt. The blood of Jesus: delivers from Sin’s power; cleanses our conscience; frees us from the sting of death; and makes us alive to live for God in daily communion.

As stand on the threshold of celebrating the Birth of Jesus this Christmas Eve, let us reflect on our Perfect Redemption beautifully captured in the lyrics of this evergreen hymn composed by the legendary Fanny Crosby:

To God be the glory! Great things He hath done! So loved He the world that He gave us His Son;

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, and opened the life gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice!

O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son: and give Him the glory! Great things He hath done!

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood! To every believer the promise of God;

The vilest offender who truly believes, That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done, and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;

But purer, and higher, and greater will be Our wonder, our rapture, when Jesus we see.