Verse for meditation: "Is not this is the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and unite the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?" (Is. 58:6).

We are observing the Lenten season as an introduction to the meditation on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This is a time of repentance and reconciliation. These times may be used to ponder upon the love of God that has saved mankind. The theme redemption in the Bible is very closely related to the theme salvation. In the Old Testament language, Hebrew, the words pada and gal are used to mean redemption. The thought Jehovah (God) the redeemer of Israel is dealt with in many passages in the Old Testament (Is. 41:14; 43:19). Pay the price, redeem and get back (pada) such usages are also found (Ex. 13:13; 34:20). In ancient Israel, property and life could be redeemed by paying the right price. All first born are to be redeemed by ‘paying the price’ (Ex. 13:13-15). If anyone sells himself as a slave or one may loose his rights and become a slave, according to the law of Moses, he could be saved by the rightful nearest Kin who is ready to redeem him and his rights (Lev. 25:25 – 27; 27:27; Ruth 4:1-12). The act of delivering the Israelites from Egypt is their redemption (Ex. 6:6; 15:3). Thus, Jehovah has become the redeemer of Israel (Ps. 78:35; Is. 43:3; Job. 19:25; Pro. 23:10,11; Ps. 130:8). The redeeming of life is very precious (Ps. 49: 7-9); Is. 59:20; Rom. 11:26).    

1. Lent and Redemption (Is. 58:1-14).

During this Lenten season we meditate upon the theme of man’s redemption from sin. He who sins is a slave to sin (Jn. 8:34). Paul says, “You are sold as a slave to sin” (Rom. 6:17, 23, 7:14). God has promised a total redemption through his death on the cross. All types of slaveries should be untied and redeemed. Lent is observed to work for the deliverance from all enslavements. The lent that the Lord is pleased has to be breaking down of all unjust relations, untying ropes of the yoke of bondage, setting free the intimidated  and the slaves and breaking down of all yokes of enslavements. On the other hand it is not show of like hanging down one’s head like a hornbill or sitting in ashes wearing rags. “Is this kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? ... to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” (Is. 58:5-6) All personal, spiritual, mental and social relationship need to be redeemed. This is a lent pleasing to the Lord.    

2.  Willingness for redemption (Jn. 5:1-9)

In the New Testament, the Greek word ‘apolutrosis’ is used to mean redemption. This word is used in 10 places in the New Testament. ‘Pay the price and buy and release the slave’ is the meaning of this word. This price has been paid by Jesus as a ransom for us (Eph. 1:7; Rom 3:24). He gave his blood as a price and has redeemed us (1 Cor. 6:19; 7:22). Jesus took upon himself our curse and gave us blessings. We should be willing to live in this experience of redemption. Jesus asked the sick person who was lying down for 38 years near the pond of Bedestha, “Do you like to be healed?” We should be willing to enjoy the redemption that Jesus has given to us. 

3.  Should live to the standards of redemption (Rom. 2:1-13) 

Christ has freed us for freedom. We should not be entangled in the yoke of slavery again (Gal 5:1). We should live a holy life as given in our redemption. Otherwise there will be judgment (Rom. 2:3-5). Each one will receive reward according to his deed. So the word of God encourages us to live according to the redemption that we have received (Rom. 2:6-10).