r e d e m p t i o n / r ə ˈ d e m ( p ) sh( ə ) n /
(noun) the act of gaining or regaining possession of (something) in exchange for payment. (verb) /rəˈdēm/ to buy back; to recover.
Read: Luke 21
It’s four days to Christmas, in a word and a prayer.
Redemption -it means, the act of gaining or regaining possession of (something) in exchange for payment. To buy back; to recover.
In Luke chapter twenty-one, Jesus takes time to teach on the end times. Of wars and unrest. Of persecution and perplexity. But, He doesn’t leave things there. Because in Christ - the Hope of the world - the end is only the beginning.
And so, just like a good Father, He ends on a good note: “‘And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’” Luke 21:27-28
~ PRAY ~
Father God,
There’s coming a day when everything really will be okay.
A Day when You will come back for us, with radiant splendor and singing praises.
A Day when all the bad things will become good things.
A Day when all the wrong things will become right things.
A Day when all the sad things will become joy things.
A Day when all the lost things will become won things.
Because You paid the ransom for your Bride, on that Cross Day. And it will finally be time for You to redeem Her, on a new kind of Resurrection Day. We confess, sometimes ~ or maybe a lot of times ~ we forget. We move on and carry on, in the tension of the now and the not-yet. Our eyes glaze over with the cares of this world, and our hearts weigh heavy with burdens to bear.
But grace brings Christmas near, year after year, and we remember: the King is coming, the King is coming. And though we don’t know when, we must lean in, “straighten up and raise” our eyes to things above. Not in our own strength, but Yours. Because we really do want to be ready for You.
Oh what a glorious Day that will be! Redemption is here, now and forever.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Glory to God, Amen.
Reflect:
What heavy burden(s) have you been carrying?
What kind of Day (perhaps one from the prayer in today’s devotion) are you waiting for with hope, as you “straighten up and raise your head, because your redemption is drawing near”?
How can you take one step of redemptive obedience today?