The largest ransom ever paid to a kidnapper was $60 million in 1974, which is equivalent to $293 million in 2015. However, this pales in comparison to the ransom paid by Jesus. The ransom paid by Jesus is unlike any ransom the world has ever known. It’s a ransom rooted in love and it’s a ransom that is undeserved. It’s a ransom paid not just for one person or even two, but for “all.” While the ransoms we hear about in the news are motivated by money, the ransom paid by Jesus was motivated by love. Furthermore, the ransoms paid by parents or siblings of kidnap victims are almost always paid grudgingly, fearfully, and out of necessity, the ransom paid by Jesus was completely voluntary due to His willingness the save the world from its captivity to sin.
Following his statement that Jesus was the Mediator between God and man, Paul states that Jesus “gave Himself as a ransom for all, to be a testimony in due time" (1 Timothy 2:6). This is miraculous news for the entire world. This verse begins with an incredible statement of sacrifice; that Jesus “gave Himself.” Translation, Jesus freely gave up His body as a sacrifice. He willingly humbled Himself to the point of death and suffered humiliation at the hands of the Roman government so those who would come to believe in Him as their Savior could live forever. Jesus “gave Himself” up for those who loved Him and those who hated Him. For those who fed Him and those who spit on Him. He “gave Himself” up so His followers could live forever. That is love!
Jesus gave Himself “as a ransom for all.” This can be compared to Jesus’ own statement that He came to give His life “as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). This certainly doesn’t mean that Jesus will save everyone, however He will save those (many) who become His disciples through faith and repentance. But the key word here is “ransom.” To understand the word properly a person must think of a slave. A slave is always owned by someone and in spiritual terms, everyone is either owned by Jesus or by Satan. Unknowingly, most of the world is in slavery to Satan; while those who follow Christ are His slaves. Thus, when Jesus went to the cross He became a “ransom for all” by redeeming the souls of His past, present, and future believers. His blood payment was sufficient for the lives of all who come to Him as Lord. A payment that demanded blood, His divine blood.
Being completely innocent, Jesus “gave Himself” to free humanity from sin and deliver all who believe upon His finished work and resurrection from the eternal death we all deserve. His ransom has now become “a testimony in due time” for Paul and for every follower who has followed after him. The testimony of Jesus’ ransom humbles a believer to surrender all to Him and to call Him Lord.
Are you being held in captivity to sin? If so, call upon the only one who can set you free, Jesus!
Following his statement that Jesus was the Mediator between God and man, Paul states that Jesus “gave Himself as a ransom for all, to be a testimony in due time" (1 Timothy 2:6). This is miraculous news for the entire world. This verse begins with an incredible statement of sacrifice; that Jesus “gave Himself.” Translation, Jesus freely gave up His body as a sacrifice. He willingly humbled Himself to the point of death and suffered humiliation at the hands of the Roman government so those who would come to believe in Him as their Savior could live forever. Jesus “gave Himself” up for those who loved Him and those who hated Him. For those who fed Him and those who spit on Him. He “gave Himself” up so His followers could live forever. That is love!
Jesus gave Himself “as a ransom for all.” This can be compared to Jesus’ own statement that He came to give His life “as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). This certainly doesn’t mean that Jesus will save everyone, however He will save those (many) who become His disciples through faith and repentance. But the key word here is “ransom.” To understand the word properly a person must think of a slave. A slave is always owned by someone and in spiritual terms, everyone is either owned by Jesus or by Satan. Unknowingly, most of the world is in slavery to Satan; while those who follow Christ are His slaves. Thus, when Jesus went to the cross He became a “ransom for all” by redeeming the souls of His past, present, and future believers. His blood payment was sufficient for the lives of all who come to Him as Lord. A payment that demanded blood, His divine blood.
Being completely innocent, Jesus “gave Himself” to free humanity from sin and deliver all who believe upon His finished work and resurrection from the eternal death we all deserve. His ransom has now become “a testimony in due time” for Paul and for every follower who has followed after him. The testimony of Jesus’ ransom humbles a believer to surrender all to Him and to call Him Lord.
Are you being held in captivity to sin? If so, call upon the only one who can set you free, Jesus!
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