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How Is Jesus’ Sacrifice “a Ransom for Many”?

Exploring the Biblical Foundations of Ransom, Redemption, and Reconciliation


The Concept of Ransom in the Bible: An Introduction


The term "ransom" is fundamental to Christian theology, particularly concerning the understanding of Jesus Christ's sacrificial death. In the New Testament, the idea of ransom is closely tied to the concepts of redemption, atonement, and reconciliation. The Apostle Paul expresses this in Ephesians 1:7, stating, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace." The sacrifice of Jesus is not merely a historical event; it is the central act of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. This is underscored in passages such as 1 Peter 1:18-19, where it is written, "knowing that you were redeemed, not with perishable things, like silver or gold, from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."



The Necessity of a Ransom: Why Was It Required?


To fully comprehend the significance of Jesus' ransom, it is crucial to understand why such a sacrifice was necessary. The concept of a ransom is deeply rooted in the narrative of humanity's fall, as described in Genesis. Adam, the first man, was created perfect and without sin, with the potential for eternal life. However, this potential was lost when Adam chose to disobey Jehovah’s command (Genesis 3:17-19). As a consequence of this disobedience, Adam introduced sin and death into the world, a condition he passed on to all his descendants (Romans 5:12). This act of rebellion is metaphorically described in Scripture as Adam "selling" himself and his offspring into the slavery of sin and death (Romans 7:14).


The Bible highlights the hopelessness of humanity's condition due to inherited sin. Psalm 49:7-8 poignantly expresses this helplessness, stating, "No man can by any means redeem his brother or give to God a ransom for him—For the redemption of his soul is costly, and he should cease trying forever." No human, being inherently imperfect, could redeem what Adam lost. Therefore, humanity found itself in desperate need of a savior—someone who could provide the necessary ransom to restore what was lost.



God’s Compassion and Justice: The Divine Response


God, in His infinite compassion, did not abandon humanity in this state of hopelessness. John 3:16 eloquently captures the essence of God’s love: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." However, God’s love does not negate His justice. Psalm 89:14 declares, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you." God's perfect justice required that He could not simply overlook or excuse the sins of humanity without a valid basis (Romans 3:23-26). There had to be a legal and just means for sins to be forgiven and ultimately eliminated.


This legal basis is provided through the ransom. The ransom is the means by which God’s justice and mercy meet. Romans 5:6-8 elaborates on this by stating, "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."



The Mechanics of the Ransom: Payment, Release, and Correspondence


The Bible defines the concept of ransom with three essential elements: it is a payment, it brings about a release or redemption, and it corresponds to the value of what is paid for. These elements are clearly outlined in Scripture and are crucial in understanding how Jesus’ sacrifice functions as a ransom.


Payment: The idea of ransom as a payment is rooted in biblical texts. For instance, Numbers 3:46-47 speaks of a ransom price being paid for the firstborn of Israel. Similarly, the New Testament echoes this concept, with Paul stating, "You were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:20). The "price" mentioned here refers to the blood of Jesus, which was shed as a payment to buy back humanity from the bondage of sin. Revelation 5:9 reinforces this by declaring that Jesus "purchased for God with his blood people from every tribe and language and people and nation."


Release: The second element of ransom is the release or redemption it provides. This concept is illustrated in Exodus 21:30, where a ransom payment brings about the release of an individual from a penalty. In the New Testament, the release that Jesus’ sacrifice brings is described in 1 Corinthians 1:30, where it is said that Christ "became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption." Colossians 1:14 further affirms this, stating, "In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." The release provided by Jesus’ ransom is from the bondage of sin, offering believers the opportunity for sanctification and eventual reconciliation with God.


Correspondence: The final element of ransom is the concept of correspondence, meaning that the ransom must equal or correspond to the value of what is paid for. This is most clearly seen in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Romans 5:19 explains, "For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." Jesus’ sacrifice corresponds exactly to what Adam lost—a perfect human life. This correspondence is further emphasized in 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, where it is stated, "For since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive."



The Result of the Ransom: Redemption and Atonement


The ransom paid by Jesus not only satisfies the legal requirements of God’s justice but also results in the redemption of humanity. Redemption, in biblical terms, refers to the act of buying back or delivering someone from bondage through the payment of a price. This concept is vividly portrayed in the redemption of Israel from Egypt, where God delivered His people from slavery by the payment of a ransom (Exodus 6:6; Deuteronomy 7:8).


In the New Testament, the idea of redemption is expanded to include the deliverance from sin and death through Jesus’ sacrifice. Titus 2:14 explains that Jesus "gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works." This redemption is not merely a future hope but a present reality for believers who are "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24).


Atonement, closely related to redemption, refers to the reconciliation between God and humanity achieved through the sacrifice of Jesus. The term "atonement" signifies the restoration of the relationship between God and man. In the Old Testament, atonement was achieved through the sacrificial system, where the blood of animals was offered as a temporary covering for sin (Leviticus 16:30). However, these sacrifices were only a shadow of the ultimate atonement that would be accomplished through Jesus Christ.


Hebrews 9:11-12 contrasts the Old Testament sacrifices with the sacrifice of Jesus, stating, "But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption." Jesus’ sacrifice was once for all, providing a complete and eternal atonement for sin, reconciling believers to God.



The Offer of the Ransom: Available to All Who Accept


The ransom provided by Jesus is not limited to a specific group of people but is available to all humanity. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 says, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all." The phrase "ransom for all" reflects that Jesus’ sacrifice is available to everyone, but it is effective only for those who accept it through faith.


This availability of the ransom to all is further illustrated in Revelation 7:9, where the Apostle John describes a vision of a large group of people from every nation, tribe, and language, all standing before God's throne and before the Lamb, Jesus Christ. These people are described as having "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14), showing that they have accepted the ransom Jesus provided, which cleanses them from sin.



The Conditional Nature of the Ransom: Acceptance Required


Although the ransom is available to all, the Bible makes it clear that its benefits are only realized by those who accept it through faith and obedience. The offer of salvation through Jesus’ ransom is extended to everyone, but it is not automatically applied to everyone. This truth is highlighted in John 3:36, where it says, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." This passage emphasizes that while the offer of salvation is extended to all, it is only effective for those who believe in Jesus and live according to that belief.


The ransom, therefore, is not about universal salvation, which is an unbiblical concept. Instead, it is about a universal offer—extended to every person but conditional on personal acceptance and faith in Jesus Christ.



The Role of Faith and Obedience: Appropriating the Benefits of the Ransom


The Bible teaches that the benefits of the ransom are appropriated through faith and obedience. Faith, according to Scripture, is more than intellectual agreement; it involves trust and reliance on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Hebrews 11:6 underscores the importance of faith, stating, "And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."


Obedience is the practical expression of faith. James 2:26 affirms the inseparable connection between faith and obedience, declaring, "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead." True faith is evidenced by a life of obedience to God’s commands, reflecting the transformation that occurs through the redemption provided by Jesus.


Jesus emphasized the necessity of obedience in receiving the benefits of the ransom. In John 14:15, He stated, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." This obedience is not a way to earn salvation but a response to the grace and redemption already received through faith in Christ. The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in Philippians 2:12-13, encouraging believers to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."



Reconciliation: Restoring the Relationship Between God and Humanity


One of the most profound results of the ransom paid by Jesus is the reconciliation it brings between God and humanity. Reconciliation, in biblical terms, refers to the restoration of a broken relationship. Sin created a barrier between God and man, resulting in alienation and separation. Isaiah 59:2 vividly describes this separation, stating, "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear."


However, through the ransom paid by Jesus, this barrier has been removed, and reconciliation is now possible. Romans 5:10 explains, "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life." The death of Jesus removed the enmity between God and man, making it possible for believers to be reconciled to God and enjoy a restored relationship with Him.


The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this reconciliation in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, stating, "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." This reconciliation is not merely a legal declaration but a relational reality, restoring believers to a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ.



The Ongoing Impact of the Ransom: Living in the Light of Redemption


The ransom paid by Jesus has a profound and ongoing impact on the lives of believers. It is not merely a theological concept to be understood but a reality to be lived out. The Apostle Peter exhorts believers to live in the light of their redemption, stating, "And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot" (1 Peter 1:17-19).


Living in the light of redemption involves a transformed life characterized by holiness, love, and obedience to God. Romans 6:22 describes this transformation, stating, "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life." The ransom paid by Jesus sets believers free from the power of sin, enabling them to live lives that are pleasing to God and fruitful in good works.


This transformed life also involves a commitment to the ministry of reconciliation, as mentioned earlier in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. Believers are called to be ambassadors for Christ, sharing the message of reconciliation with others and inviting them to experience the redemption available through Jesus. This is not only a privilege but a responsibility that flows from the reality of being redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.



The Eternal Significance of the Ransom: A New Creation in Christ


The ransom paid by Jesus has eternal significance, as it ushers believers into a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." This new creation is not merely a future hope but a present reality for those who are in Christ. The old life of sin and separation from God is gone, and a new life of righteousness and reconciliation has begun.


This new creation is characterized by a renewed relationship with God, as well as a transformation in the believer’s character and conduct. Colossians 3:9-10 describes this transformation, stating, "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator." The ransom paid by Jesus not only secures forgiveness of sins but also initiates the process of sanctification, conforming believers to the image of Christ.


The eternal significance of the ransom is also seen in the promise of eternal life. John 3:16, one of the most well-known verses in the Bible, encapsulates this promise, stating, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Eternal life is the ultimate gift of the ransom, a life that is not merely unending but characterized by perfect and unbroken fellowship with God.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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