Redemption and Gilad Schalit

Redemption is one of those words that we hear a lot but don’t necessarily have a good grasp on what it means. People may say things like “I’ve been redeemed” or “Let the redeemed say amen” but do we know what we're saying? I was studying redemption in Isaiah 35 yesterday and thinking about some of these things. Yesterday was also the day Gilad Schalit was released after over 5 years of captivity by Hamas. The Israeli government was willing to make an exchange of over 1000 Palestinian prisoners – many of whom had committed heinous terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians – just to get one soldier back. After watching the story unfold, I realized that this situation is a great picture of redemption. Redemption, or geulah גאלה in Hebrew, means to ransom or free something for a price. Israel paid a steep price to free Gilad Schalit. While the nation rejoiced to see him come home, many people have a lot of fear and worry now because the people who killed their loved ones are being released as well.

This shows just how much one man is worth to Israel, but God is willing to pay an even steeper price than that. In the Passover Seder, we drink the third cup, the Cup of Redemption, to celebrate how God freed us from slavery to Egypt. It’s no accident that Yeshua, at his last Passover Seder with his disciples, chose to say about this cup: “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:20). Yeshua had repeatedly told stories such as the shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep just so he could find and bring back the one lost sheep. And he is willing to pay the highest price for us. Consider these words:

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Messiah died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8)

“For you know that 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 forefathers, but with the precious blood of Messiah, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:18-19)

“You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

The single person, Gilad Schalit, was worth enough to Israel to pay a huge price for his release from captivity. How much more so are you and me worth to God who was willing to pay the price of the death of Messiah to free us from slavery to sin which leads to death?