John 3:16 ; Romans 5: 8 ; 2 Corinthians 5: 21 ; 1 Peter 3:18

‘For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit’.

The most emotional conversation between the redeemer and the slave master. A compelling story of pure love, and the greatest sacrifice ever known. Gaining insight into this interaction, here is what I heard and saw:

I looked up and saw a vast number of slaves, tied hand to hand by a heavy metal chain. Their feet were secured in locks. There were no clothes on their backs, except a tiny strip of fabric wrapped around their waists. Their hands and feet were bleeding from the bruises of the chains and locks. They looked extremely impoverished, weak, tired, and frail. Signs of hopelessness and defeat were written all over their drained and tear-stained faces.

These slaves were fully captured, and under the wicked dominion of the slave master – the devil – who tormented them day and night. At his command, the slaves were whipped severally, and their backs bled severely from the scourging. The devil laughed and mocked the shrieks of anguish, and shouts of pain expressed by the weary souls of these slaves. The wicked master bragged about his right of ownership – the slaves were his, and he could do as he pleased with them.

The helplessness of the situation was quite apparent, as the slave master would occasionally demand the life of any of these slaves at different times. Much to the dismay and horror of the remaining slaves, the one marked for death would be killed instantly without warning, or mercy! The fear that gripped the rest of the slaves was unmeasurable and indescribable! Their teeth chattered from untold panic and consternation!

Is there no one to deliver these slaves? No one to set them free? These slaves longed for freedom, peace, and joy – but their longing seemed to be in vain as weeks rolled into months, and months into years, yet no freedom, or deliverance in sight. The situation seemed unchangeable, the hopelessness of the ordeal looked irrevocable, and freedom seemed impossible. The entire human race was at stake!

One day, while tormenting his victims, and basking in the power of his kingdom, a Savior appeared on the scene! He was clothed in robes of pure white, and covered with magnificent beauty. The glory of His majesty filled the atmosphere! The reverential fear blazing before His presence smacked the devil, and everyone present, including the slaves. The slave master could hardly believe his eyes – why would such a powerful deity visit his empire.

The Savior looked at the devil and said ‘I have come to set the slaves free’. ‘What? The devil exclaimed! Have you forgotten they broke your law and rejected you’? The Savior responded, ‘yes I know fully well; but I am full of mercy, and have come to deliver them from your shackles’.  The devil laughed and said ‘these ones are unrighteous and full of sin; you cannot have such; for your kingdom is holy’. The Savior replied and said ‘I want them just as they are, and my own righteousness will be their covering’.

Then the devil said ‘they are worn out and of no use to anyone, they deserve death – that is the penalty for their sins’.  The Savior replied ‘ I know; but I will forgive, heal, empower, and give them life’ – they will be mine forever’. Then finally the devil said, ‘these slaves deserve punishment and death; so, here is the deal – you will take their place, and it will cost your life’. And the Savior immediately replied ‘deal, I will take their place; I am prepared to die in their place!’

 At that instant, the Savior stripped Himself of His glory, beauty, majesty, honor, power, kingship, etc., and laid down His life so the slaves could be set free.  He who was once adored by Angels, became rejected by all! He who was once holy, became the sacrifice for sin! The Lion of Judah was now the Lamb of God.

He endured untold misery and woe. He was beaten, battered, and finally killed for the redemption of the slaves. Till date He still wears the scars on His hands, feet, and side – scares of redemption; the story of unconditional love! The testimony of the cross!

Today the slaves are entirely delivered; living in complete freedom, with the hope of eternal life!

Folks, this is the story of our redemption. Hallelujah! We are free!

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.