Living in the Spirit
July 12, 2018
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14
In [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. –Ephesians 1:7-10
The Hebrews related blood to life from the beginning of their history. Genesis 4:9-10 relates the story of the death of Abel murdered by his brother Cain, Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ He said, ‘I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?’ And the Lord said, ‘What have you done? Listen; your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground! Today we do not relate to this imagery in the same way our ancestors in faith did. We might envision a flat line on a beeping heart monitor as indicating the finality of death. As a longtime blood donor, I tend to think of blood as life-giving.
We may also have some discomfort with the word redemption. The word translated redemption here literally means, “buying back from, re-purchasing (winning back) what was previously forfeited (lost)*.” We who live in relative privilege are not as readily attuned to needing salvation as one living in oppression.
The point in our scripture today is we are redeemed through the life of Christ given before death in the life modeled by Jesus, in death, and ultimately in resurrection. Following Christ means following that same pattern. What we may need redemption from is allowing our brothers and sister in Christ, which are all God’s children, to live in oppression. The answer to Cain’s questions is “Yes, you are your brother and your sister’s keeper.”
Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we become complacent in our way of life. Open our eyes and hearts to the needs of the oppressed and guide us in addressing that which holds them back from the life you envision for all your children. Amen.
*http://biblehub.com/greek/629.htm