Redeemed

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 7
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Memory Verse: “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)
Mat, the Palomino, has been redeemed—for $500.
He is owned by Mrs. Boyd, a lady who lives near Toronto, Canada. She has ridden him for 17 years and intends to keep him as long as she can. But there was one chapter in Mat’s life that wasn’t all that happy to either his owner or himself. Last year circumstances were such that Mrs. Boyd had to “board out” her beloved pet to a farmer. He verbally agreed to feed and look after him while his family would ride him by way of reimbursement.
However, early this year Mrs. Boyd was surprised to learn that Mat had been sold to a horse dealer for $150. The dealer in turn had resold Mat to someone else and no one knew where he lived. The matter might have ended there had not the Toronto Globe and Mail carried the story, and a lady visiting in the area saw Mat’s picture in the paper. She recognized him as the horse her husband had purchased from the dealer for their family. She immediately got in touch with a delighted Mrs. Boyd who came at once and redeemed her pet for $500. Now both Mat and his redeemer are happy again.
We learn from Scripture that “to redeem” means to “buy back.” When man fell, he forfeited his life because of his sin. He cannot redeem his soul, nor can his brother (Psa. 49:7,87None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: 8(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) (Psalm 49:7‑8))—no one can—for the redemption of the soul is too costly it must be given up forever. Peter tells us that we cannot be redeemed with silver and gold (1 Peter 1:1818Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (1 Peter 1:18)), as many would like to think.
“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul.” Mark 8:36,3736For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36‑37).
There was only One who could redeem-only One who had the right to redeem. Unlike all others who were sinful men, He was holy, undefiled, “separate from sinners.” Furthermore, He alone could pay the infinite cost of our redemption, for He was the Son of God-the rich One “who for our sakes became poor that we through His poverty might be rich” 2 Corinthians 8:99For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9).
He loved us—and O how great was His love—for He gave up His life and shed His precious blood to pay the price of our redemption.
ML-10/08/1978