He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works” (Titus 2:14).1
“Going once, twice, sold!” the voice of the trader echoes throughout the marketplace. The slave, bound in shackles, is shoved towards his new owner. He stumbles off the platform as another slave is carted to the front, starting the bidding anew.
The cruel practice of slavery was inconsistent with God’s intention in creating us in His own image, which was to bestow dignity and value. Unfortunately, slavery isn’t a “thing of the past”; there are more people in slavery today than at any point in history. The Bible speaks, however, about a different kind of bondage that enslaves every person, regardless of their background, unless they have experienced God’s redemption. You may never be victim to forced labour or human trafficking but, outside of Christ, everyone is a slave to sin and in need of release.
Redemption’s Person
In the grand narrative of the Bible, there is one central figure, the subject of this great gospel text, who embodies the very essence of redemption. The previous verse ends aptly, describing Him as “our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (v13). Unlike the cruel master who seeks to exploit, abuse and manipulate, the Lord Jesus Christ has come to free slaves from sin so they can instead be servants of righteousness. He is the Great Redeemer, the Chain Breaker, the Son of God, the Sinless One who purchases helpless individuals and offers true freedom.
Redemption’s Price
Historically, a person was often forced into slavery to pay off a debt. This debt, often insurmountable in size, could result in many years, or even an entire life, of bondage. Our debt to God because of our sin is also impossible for us to discharge; it requires the most extraordinary redemption price. Our verse tells us that “He gave himself for us to redeem us.” These words encapsulate the heart of Christianity, revealing that our redemption is not achieved through our own merit or effort. Instead, it came at an immeasurable cost. The Lord Jesus gave Himself, dying in the place of the sinner. He was the only One who had the means – evidenced by His righteous life – to pay our debt. The words of the gospel hymn ring true: “I had a debt I could not pay; He paid the debt He did not owe.”
God moved in love, sending His Son in order that those who are in bondage to sin, with no hope of discharging their debt, can experience freedom and peace through the release that was paid on the cross. The Lord Jesus’ death is evidence that the price was paid for our release. God raising Him from the dead is evidence that the payment was accepted.
Redemption’s Purpose
In the eyes of a master, a slave has one purpose: to do the master’s will. Slaves of sin produce sin and lawlessness, only further ensnaring them and, ultimately, resulting in eternal death (Rom 6:23).
Our verse describes God’s purpose in intervening: those who are released are also cleansed; they are God’s special people. Not now motivated by fear or compulsion, but love, the redeemed can produce good works untainted by sin, in expression of devotion to our Redeemer.
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the CSB.
