Apostles Creed
…knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV)
In the Apostle’s Creed, we confess the work of Redemption, both Jesus’ Humiliation (the things done to redeem us) and Jesus’ Exaltation (the things that prove we are redeemed). We say nearly every Sunday that Jesus “was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.” While the words are very familiar, may they never become such that we speak them without marveling at the price paid to redeem us.
As a father, I can’t imagine sending any of my children to suffer and die. I think I would rather die myself. Nevertheless, God so loved the world that He did exactly that. He sent His Son into human flesh and blood to suffer and die for enemies. Yes, despite my sin – open rebellion against God’s commands – God loved me and sent His own innocent Son to bear my sin and guilt and die. He loves you with the same love.
During the Lenten Season, many of our churches read a harmony of the suffering of the Savior. This year, when we hear how Pontius Pilate paraded Barabbas and Jesus before the mob, let’s see ourselves in Barabbas. We are the guilty. We deserve to be condemned to hell. But God determined to set the sinner free by laying our sins on His Son.
Our redemption wasn’t cheap, so let’s not act like it is. Let’s never take up the attitude that says, “I can sin today and get forgiveness tomorrow.”
Glory be to Jesus,
Who in bitter pains
Poured for me the life-blood
From His sacred veins!.
The Lutheran Hymnal 158:1