Redemption and Resurrection
Jesus came so that all people might be brought back to the arms of the Father.
“Now therefore, please let your servant stay instead of the boy, my Lord’s slave; and let the boy go up with his brothers.”
Genesis 44:1-2, 13, 33
The weight of the sins of the brothers who sold Joseph into slavery caught up to them. Sin has a way of catching up to us in time. You reap what you sow. Is there anywhere you feel sin catching up? The brothers only hope was to ask for mercy. Think of how far they had come from jealous brothers who wanted to kill Joseph to a place where they were willing to die for the youngest.
The transformation in their hearts is the same as what we are meant to experience in ours. The question we face is not what we will get to the world, but what we can give in sacrificing our own needs to help another.
“We will give thanks to your name forever...he knows the secrets of the heart. For our soul is bowed down to the dust...Redeem us for your loving kindness’ sake.”
Psalms 44:8, 21, 25-26
There is an expression that there is always something to be grateful for. What do you have to be grateful for today? Have you considered what Jesus did for you? How He redeemed you? How He did what we could not do and bought you back? David says we will give thanks to your name forever, for there is always something to be grateful for when you know the love of God.
"your love is better than wine. Behold, you are beautiful, my love."
Song of Solomon 1:2, 15
There are many expressions of love. The love that is most meaningful is the love that meets the person where they are and lifts them up. God says to you that you are beloved. He hopes that we will see the beauty of His love for us. Do you feel loved today?
“This is what Yahweh who made you, and formed you from the womb, who will help you says: “Don’t be afraid...For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and streams on the dry ground...I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, your transgressions, and, as a cloud, your sins. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”
Isaiah 44:2-3, 6, 21-22
Do you ever feel like you are just a number? Lost in the crowd? Unseen and alone? God says that He sees you, He knows you, and He made you. He knows our fears and says do not be afraid. He knows we fall short and owe a debt so He paid the debt redeeming us. You are not alone or unseen. God says you are dearly loved and created for a purpose.
"He said to them, “Don’t be amazed. You seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him! But go, tell his disciples...They went out, and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come on them...He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved."
Mark 16:6-8, 15-16
There was a price to be paid sins of the world. When Jesus said it is finished, what He was saying is more than we might understand. He was saying He paid the debts we owed, He commuted the judgment against us, and He declared the victory has been won. Jesus loved us by freeing us from all that sin requires from us so that like Jesus we could resurrect from the death that comes from sin.
Today is a day to give thanks that the only Son of God loves you so much that He died for you. He was resurrected from the dead so that we could preach the Good News that all people are loved by God and can have new life in Him. Why do we love? Because He first loved us as we are, where we are, because of who we are to Him.