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Today's Lenten Devotion
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Ransomed
You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.
-- 1 Peter 1:18-19
Do you remember reading O. Henry’s Ransom of Red Chief when you were in Junior High? If you do not recall the story, or wish to re-read this short enjoyable essay, you can find it in your local library or on the web. If all else fails, I would be glad to send you a copy.
Bill and Sam, bumbling con men, kidnap a 10-year-old boy, son of a wealthy man in a small town, to raise some cash for a scam they are planning. The boy turns out to be more trouble than he is worth, abusing the two men both physically and mentally with his games of Indian and captives. Young Johnny dubs himself "Red Chief" and pesters them with questions and war whoops, using Bill as pony and prey to his pranks. (He’s referred to by Sam as a forty-pound chunk of freckled wildcat.)
In due course, a ransom note is sent to the boy’s father (asking for less than the originally agreed upon sum to expedite the delivery of the rapscallion and the deliverance of his captors). The reply to the demand for payment is that the father will take the boy back if the kidnappers paid HIM! And the kidnappers are more than happy to quickly comply. Of course, kidnapping is not a joking matter, but this story illustrates a point to be contemplated. Sometimes, though, even the best of children drive us to distraction and we threaten to "sell them to the gypsies".
You probably remember another "book" – one that most Lutherans had to commit to memory in their early teens: Luther’s Small Catechism.
I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord. He has redeemed (ransomed) me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death.
All this he did that I should be his own, and live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness, just as he has risen from death and lives and rules eternally. This is most certainly true. (Apostle’s Creed, Article 2)
Thankfully, God, our benevolent Father, was willing to pay the costly ransom for our redemption even though we, too, are rowdy, disobedient children. The Father was willing to sacrifice is own dear son to bring us back home.
Dear Loving Heavenly Father, we thank you for ransoming us from sin and death and the power of evil with the suffering and death of your son, Jesus Christ. Help us to remember during this Lenten time to strive to obey your commandments and to love one another, as you have loved us. AMEN
Rosemary Sinniger
Abiding Presence Lutheran Church
rks@bugjammer.com
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