In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
Ephesians 1:7
As we continue our journey through Lent, let’s take a closer look at what the blood that was shed at Calvary has done for us, all the benefits available for anyone who will trust in Jesus.
Last time, we explored four powerful benefits of His blood: forgiveness and cleansing because He is our substitute, open access to God because He is our great High Priest, divine protection because he is our Passover Lamb, and deliverance from evil because He is our shield.
We saw that no sin is too big or too small for His grace and that through Jesus’ sacrifice, we can come to God freely, without fear or shame because His blood not only covers us but stands as a defence and weapon against the enemy.
Now I want us to shift our focus to another aspect of what the blood of Christ has done and won for us: as the apostle Peter wrote – we are redeemed by His blood.
…it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:18-19
What Does It Mean to Be Redeemed?
Redemption is about being bought back, restored, it’s a price paid to set a captive free. Ephesians 1:7, showing us that Jesus paid the ultimate price—His own blood—to bring us back into God’s family. If you have a mortgage right now, as you live in the property you may think you own a house – but really you don’t. As people who get over their head in debt too often discover, until the final payment is made, it’s the bank that owns the house. If you get together enough money to pay off a loan, you ask for the redemption figure – what’s still owed. Redemption is that final payment.
When Jesus gave His life, He cried out “Tetelestai!” – PAID IN FULL – because in his love he wiped out our debt completely, so we can be free – and now we belong to Him. We don’t just get to do whatever we want now, something way better is available – we get to do what He wants – because, “You are not your own;you were bought at a price.” 1 Cor 6:19,20
Jesus, Our Kinsman-Redeemer
In the Old Testament, if by theft or foolishness someone lost their land or freedom, the law stated that a close relative—Kinsman-Redeemer—could step in to buy it back. To qualify as the redeemer, three criteria had to be met, they had to:
Be a relative.
Have the means to redeem.
Be willing to do it.
Jesus Christ met every one of these requirements for you and me!
He became fully human, one of us (John 1:14)
He is fully God, sinless and so able to redeem us (John 10:30) and
He willingly gave His life, declaring, “No one takes my life from me; I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:18).
Everything Adam lost through sin by the devil’s deception, Jesus has restored by his redemption. Galatians 3:13-14 sums it all up: Christ redeemed us from the curse, and replaced it with a blessing.
Numbers 23 tells how Balak hired Balaam to curse Israel. But Balaam realised he couldn’t: “He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it” (Numbers 23:20). In the same way, because of Jesus’ blood, no curse—past, present, or generational—can have power over you. You don’t have to live under the weight of failure, shame, or spiritual oppression. The curse of the law is broken, and the blessing of redemption has been released.
What Redemption Really Means
Redemption means someone else pays for your sins, allowing you to be forgiven and live freely. ‘Redemption by his blood’ means you are saved, forgiven, healed, freed, blessed and restored. You don’t have to carry guilt, sickness, or fear – he has carried it all, buried it, and left it there when He rose again. You are not stuck in your past. This Lent, don’t just reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice—embrace what it means for your life today and walk in the freedom He paid for.
