“I am redeemed!” a title to some popular contemporary Christian and Gospel songs: one by Big Daddy Weave, another by Jessie Dixon, and another by Chris Blue. Oh yeah, there is also the one by Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist titled, “The Lord, the God of Israel has redeemed his people,” a longer title than the others. But the meaning is the same. What, then, does it mean when we sing, “I am redeemed?”
Redemption is an ancient legal concept that governs business transactions. The Old Testament provided for the redemption of land and people that had passed from their original owner to become the property of another. (Leviticus 25:25-27, 47-49; Numbers 18:15)
Israel was essentially a twice redeemed people. They were slaves in Egypt, redeemed from slavery by obeying the first Passover, the smearing of lamb’s blood on their door posts and eating its meat and unleavened bread. Later, when they were in Babylon captivity, the Lord brought them back by overthrowing Babylon with Cyrus the Persian. (Exodus 15:13; Deuteronomy 7:8; Isaiah 48:20, 52:9) This second time is not considered a redeeming, but the Lord, as their owner, sent them away and then brought them back.
Jesus has redeemed us through sacrificing himself. (Titus 2:14) Galatians 3:13-14 states, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” Ephesians 1:7 states, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Jesus redeems people from slavery by purchasing us with his blood.
