Read Ephesians 1:7–8
Questions from the Scripture text: What do we have in Jesus (Ephesians 1:7a)? Through what? What does this redemption entail? According to what was this redemption purchased? What does Christ make this redemption do unto us (Ephesians 1:8a)? In what two things does this redemption abound?
How great is redemption? Ephesians 1:7–8 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that its greatness corresponds to God’s grace and God’s wisdom.
Through hundreds of pages of Scripture, the Holy Spirit prepares us to understand the RICHES of Ephesians 1:7–8. Redemption was something that the life of the firstborn was given to purchase for Israel. And redemption was something in which money could be offered to purchase the life of that firstborn, in memory of when the blood of the Passover lamb protected that life. Redemption was something that could be purchased for anyone who ended up in slavery through debt.
But never was there a redemption like this. Redemption through His blood! All the wealth in the world—indeed, every created thing—together cannot begin to indicate the value of Him from Whom, and through Whom, and for Whom all things exist. And yet, He took to Himself flesh and blood that He might spill that blood in order to purchase us!
What bank is so flush with wealth that it can afford such a payment as the blood of Christ? The bank of the riches of God’s grace. We often talk about depending upon grace, but I think we could do with more meditating upon the greatness of that grace upon which we depend, praise God! It is a grace so rich that it was according to these riches that the blood of Jesus purchased us for adoption as sons of God.
Indeed, of all of the things that God’s wisdom and understanding has devised, here is one thing that Scripture describes all of His wisdom and understanding bending itself upon: purchasing us through the blood of Christ according to the riches of His grace.
Truly, our redemption is a marvel at which we will wonder in praise for unending ages. And it makes one’s heart ache with a desire that the flesh would be mortified more even now, in order that we might wonder and praise more even now. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Ephesians 1:3)!
From what are you redeemed? At what cost? How are you responding to the riches of His grace? The abundance of His wisdom?
Sample prayer: Lord, we bless Your Name, Whose redemption is not just from the riches of Your grace, but with a lavishness that is according to those riches. We thank You for the precious blood of Christ, and praise You for the divine wisdom that devised such a glorious salvation. Make Your grace to keep abounding to us, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP65A “Praise Awaits You, God” or TPH425 “How Sweet and Awesome Is the Place”
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