When our second grandson, Zachary, was in school, we grandparents always bought the coupon books the students would sell as a fundraiser. I would carefully comb through the thick book to find useful reductions on various items, services, restaurant meals, or activities. Then, we would redeem, or exchange, the coupons for something of value to us. The best coupon I ever found was for a free meal for one person in a well-known restaurant in our city. If a second person came along and paid, it would still be a good deal.

Besides "to exchange", another definition of "to redeem" is "to buy back". In Exodus, God decreed that the firstborn son had to be bought back. Moses told the fathers how to explain this practice to their sons.

Exodus 13:15 – When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed every firstborn in Egypt, both man and animal. This is why I sacrifice to the Lord the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons. (NIV)

For the last phrase, the New Living Translation states, "the firstborn sons are always bought back."

The Lord had spared the Israelites' firstborn sons and the firstborn of their animals during the last terrible plague in Egypt, when all other firstborn sons and animals died. Because they had applied the blood of a lamb on their doorposts, the death angel passed over the Israelites' homes. The Lord, therefore, claimed the firstborn. Parents could redeem, or buy back, a firstborn son by paying the redemption price of five pieces of silver. (Numbers 18:16)

Another definition of "to redeem" is "to ransom", that is, "to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price". In later years, the redemption of the firstborn became a picture of our deliverance from slavery to sin, through Christ, and "redemption" came to mean "to deliver from sin or its penalty".

Ephesians 1:7 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. (NIV)

During this season of Lent, redemption has great significance for us. As God's firstborn Son, Jesus sacrificed His life instead of our having to die spiritually, and He redeemed us, buying us back from bondage to sin. Through the grace of God, Jesus paid a high price, a cruel death on the cross, to bring us back into relationship with the Father. Jesus gave up His life to give us eternal life. May we be with filled with gratitude as we reflect on this costly redemption.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for redeeming us at such a high price, the death of Your firstborn Son. Help us to serve You gratefully in return. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Alice Burnett <terrencera.burnett@gmail.com>
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
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