Page 32 - September 2026 - Truth & Tidings

" R edeemed … with the precious blood held the key up to her to make sure that she

of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
understood what he was doing. He unlocked
The story has been often told of
a young man from New England who was the cuffs on her wrists. He showed her the
key again, then knelt and unlocked the chains
visiting a friend in colonial Virginia and saw around her feet. As the chains dropped and
an appalling sight. He was witnessing an she stood unfettered, he stood and, with a
auction where human beings were being smile, held up the key again. Then, with all
sold as livestock. A ship of African slaves had his might, he threw the key as far as he could
been brought to the auction blocks near the into the river. She immediately understood:
dock, and plantation owners were bidding he had bought her to set her free! At that
against each other to buy the best of them. moment of understanding, she fell to her
He made a promise that if he ever came back knees in tears and wrapped her arms around
he would make a difference, if only for one the man who had just set her free.
of these poor victims. This old story of redemption, as beautiful
Later, loaded with money, he returned. as it is, pales in significance to the Man who
He stood in the crowd and waited. Toward came from the glory to redeem us. The Old
the end of the auction, a beautiful young Testament, in its stories of redemption, in-
African woman stood in chains, her head troduces the subject of a kinsman redeemer,
down, trembling in fear. The men at the one who was not only willing and able to
auction had been waiting for her. As the redeem, but one who was related to the
bidding began and went higher and higher, captive that needed to be set free. The Lord
it was obvious that this young woman was Jesus Christ came from heaven and became
the desired object of these wicked men. And one of us – our sinless Kinsman Redeemer. He
she knew what lay ahead of her. paid the ultimate price for the redemption of
He waited patiently. One by one, bidders our souls. With heavenly dignity, He walked
dropped off. Then he voiced his first bid, to quietly and steadily to Calvary, where He shed
their astonishment. Very quickly, the men in His precious blood to buy us back from the
the audience realized they did not have the slave market of sin. It is wonderful to know
wealth to match this young man’s. The final that I am loved by God and bought back by
bid was his, and the auctioneer brought his a Redeemer. Has this ever happened in your
gavel down with a loud “Sold!” life? If not, we trust that you will soon be set
The young man went up, paid the money, free from the shackles of your sins by accept-
and was handed a key. Before everyone, he ing this Savior and Redeemer who loved you
walked up to the young woman, who looked so much that He went all the way to Calvary
at him with eyes full of anger and hatred. He and paid the ultimate price.