BibleProject | Redemption in the Biblical Storyഉദാഹരണം

A Greater Redeemer

In today’s reading, we’ll see how the Bible’s redemption theme culminates in one human, Jesus.

Although some of the Jews returned from exile, Israel’s redemption was incomplete. God’s presence never returned to the temple, and enemies continued to oppress the people. But Israel’s prophets looked forward to a greater ruler, a human king in David’s royal line sent from God.

Today’s reading in Isaiah includes a description of this ruler as one who blesses everyone, brings freedom, and establishes unending justice and fairness (Isa. 9:1-7). Notice how Isaiah describes not a warrior king but the “Prince of Peace.”

After waiting centuries for this king, Jesus of Nazareth finally arrives. The New Testament gospel writers connect the words of Isaiah and other prophetic books directly with Jesus.

Prophesying about Jesus, Zechariah declares that God’s redemption has already begun—this is the king who will rescue and redeem his people (Luke 1:67-69). The prophetess Anna goes to everyone “waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem” to tell them about Jesus (Luke 2:36-38). As Isaiah said, this redemption arrives through a king who does not use violent force. Instead, he comes “to serve and to give his life as a ransom [or redemption payment] for many” (Mark 10:42-45).

In the next (and final) day of this reading plan, we’ll look at passages suggesting that people’s real enemies are not human beings but the cosmic powers of sin and death.

Reflection Exercises:

• When you think about the power it might take to set people free from our world’s most wealthy and wicked tyrants, what images come to mind?
• We often think that evil power can only collapse under a greater (and similar) power, but Jesus’ infinite power works differently. How do stories about Jesus’ life on Earth challenge common assumptions about power?