A ransom

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.  – Mark 10.45

When I hear the word ‘ransom’ the first thing I think about, of course, is a kidnapping or abduction where the criminals demand payment in order to retrieve something that have kidnapped or abducted or stolen away.

So how is Jesus to be a ransom? How does that apply to Him?

Because of sin all of us were held captive to sin. Sin separated us from God. We were kidnapped from God because of our sin. A ransom has been demanded. The ransom for our sin is death. It is a ransom we couldn’t pay because we are still sinners.

So Jesus came. We did not come to be ministered to. He came to minister. He took on the form of a human and the role of a servant. That alone is worthy of a lengthy discussion.

But even more – He came to be the ransom for our sin. He came to pay the price required to free us from the captivity of sin. He paid the ransom and we can be free.

Praise God the ransom is paid and everyone who will accept it can be freed from the bondage of sin and assured of a home in heaven.