Jesus in Ephesians

Bought With a Price

In eternity past, God chose us, predestined us, and made us accepted in the Beloved. Now we step into time, where God the Father puts His plans for the church into the hands of His Son, Jesus Christ.

After walking with us for 33 years, Jesus Christ died on a cross, was buried, rose again bodily, and ascended into heaven. His death made our salvation possible through His blood shed on the cross. Ew—the blood part is so messy! This important detail about Jesus’s blood is the key to our salvation.

In the Old Testament, the messy sacrificial system was the only way to deal with our sin. Problem was, all the sacrifices never added up to a complete solution. But Christ made a single sacrifice for sins—all that was needed. When we had no other hope, Jesus Christ made the perfect sacrifice to save us (see Hebrews 10:6-13). He paid the price for our redemption. This word “redemption” means Jesus paid the ransom to set us free. We can’t do anything to cut ourselves loose from sin, but He stepped in and paid for our freedom “through His blood” (Ephesians 1:7). God never asks you to do anything for Him. He paid the full price.

God is so holy that He must have justice for our sin. It must be paid for. Without Jesus’ blood we can’t be forgiven. Human forgiveness is based on a penalty that is deserved, but not imposed. But God’s forgiveness is based on the execution of the penalty, and the price has been paid. God paid the penalty for our sin and then He forgave.