The word for this week is "ransom". This is found three times in the New Testament, in Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45 and 1 Timothy 2:5-6:
Matt 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. KJV
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. KJV
1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. KJV
In the first two we see the Greek word "lutron" and in the third the Greek compound word "antilutron". Strong's Concordance says of lutron: something to loose with, i.e. a redemption price. The Theological Dictionary adds: releasing by payment. The "anti" in the compound word is also found in the preposition "for" which follows ransom in the the first two verses. The Theological Dictionary says: in place of, to the advantage of. Strong's Concordance adds: instead of or because of. In 1 Timothy 2:5, the preposition "for" is the Greek word "huper", which Vine's Expository Dictionary says is: on behalf of. Jesus gave His life to pay the price that was required for sin (Romans 6:23) which is death. Not the cessation of physical life, but the eternal separation from the God of the Bible. He did this by taking OUR place and paying OUR price! That is, those who receive Jesus as Lord and personal Savior. In 1 Timothy we see that (huper) He did this in behalf of all mankind! Every person has the potential to receive their redemption from sin and be loosed from the penalty of it! Those who refuse to do so will not. God has done everything necessary, the choice is up to us! THAT is why we are to preach the Good News! I LOVE John 3:15-17 from the Amplified Bible:
15 In order that everyone who believes in Him [who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him] may not perish, but have eternal life and [actually] live forever! 16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. AMP
When we present the Gospel as the Good News that God isn't holding anything against anyone and that the only sin NOT covered by the Blood of Jesus is the sin of rejecting Him, who wouldn't want to receive THAT promise? They may not ever do so in our presence, but that Good News WILL draw them! When you or your family share this Good News with others, expect that they will receive and just continue to pray for them! His Word will NOT return empty, but WILL accomplish His purposes (Isaiah 55:11)! In the meantime, your lives speak so clearly of HIS love and provision! You are definitely an inspiration to us! Here is Hillsong Kids again with "Tell The World":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
