A Global Redemption

The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.

Luke 24: 20 & 21, NIV

When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, a detachment of soldiers accompanied the chief priests and other rulers in search of him. About 600 soldiers arrested the Prince of Peace. After a brief court hearing before the Sanhedrin, the expected sentence was pronounced. Jesus was sentenced to death. The Jewish rulers couldn’t carry out the death sentence, so they took Jesus to the Romans for the governor’s ruling. Death

The sentence was carried out immediately. There was no appeal, no final meal, and no visitation with the family. The Romans executed the sentence with swift efficiency.

The disciples had high hopes because they had witnessed another kind of revolution. The blind received their sight, the lame walked, those with leprosy were cleansed, the deaf could hear, and the dead were raised. Could Jesus really be the answer to the Roman occupation? Many thought so and pinned their hopes on him. But now he was dead. Cleopas and his colleague were among them, and their hopes were dashed.

Cleopas or his colleague told Jesus, “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” You can hear their sorrow in the pages of the Bible. But why did he say “redeem,” and why did he specify only Israel?

Perhaps they recalled Moses, who led the Hebrews out of captivity. At that time, God said to Moses, “I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.” (Ex 6:6, NIV) God redeemed the Hebrews from their slavery.

When they had crossed the Red Sea and were safe from the clutches of Pharaoh and his soldiers, they sang in jubilation. Miriam’s song included the words, “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.” (Ex 15: 13, NIV)

Yes, everyone could see that Jesus loved the people, and they were sure he would be their redeemer. Moses redeemed the Hebrews from the slavery of Pharaoh, and now the Israelites were pinning their hope on Jesus as their Redeemer. Somehow, Jesus would free them from the clutches of the Roman Empire.

Redeem is the correct word. For the Hebrews and Pharaoh, a price was paid; every firstborn died that night. Those who did not paint the front door frame with the blood of an unblemished lamb suffered. Death visited the family.

Now, at the time of Jesus, again a price was paid. Paul, writing to the Church at Colossae, wrote, “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” (Col 1:15, NIV) Jesus, the firstborn over all creation, died on the cross, and his blood was shed. Previously, the blood of the lamb was painted on the doorframe, but this time, Jesus’ blood poured down the crossbeams.

Cleopas was right: Jesus is the redeemer. However, he did not fully understand the extent of this truth.

Cleopas was in the middle of the Roman Empire occupation. They were ruthless, killings were common, and crucifixions were commonplace. Something had to give, and everyone was looking to Jesus as the answer for all their problems. Judaea was overrun by the Romans in approximately 63BC, and Jesus died at approximately 26AD. Therefore, for nearly seventy years, they had been longing for their freedom. Surely Jesus was their answer.

Cleopas or his colleague mentioned Israel, and that is such an obvious statement. He lived there; everything about Cleopas was wrapped up in Israel, so he wanted Israel to be freed from the Roman Empire. This reminds me of the man called Simeon.

When Jesus was eight days old, his parents, Mary and Joseph, took their son to be presented at the Temple. When they arrived at the Temple, they met a man called Simeon. “Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.” (Luke 2: 25&26, NIV) Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel. He was waiting for Israel to be freed from the bonds of occupation.

When Simeon took the baby Jesus into his arms, he said, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2: 29-32, NIV) Do you see the difference? Simeon had been concentrating on Israel, but after he had seen God’s Messiah, a completely different story unfolded. Now he saw that God’s Messiah was for all nations, for the Gentiles, as well as for Israel. God’s saving grace is for everyone.

Today, the Lord Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sin, for you and for me. He went to the cross and died so that we might live, not physically forever in our flawed mortal bodies, but forever in God’s presence. When we die, we will go to be with our Heavenly Father. His blood was spilt for us two thousand years ago, and the consequences are everlasting.

Today, the offer of salvation is global; it is not restricted to any special group. For God so loved the world that he sent his son to die on the cross. Jew or Gentile, black or white, man or woman, adult or child, the offer of salvation is open to all. I need only accept by faith that Jesus died for me, He redeemed me.