January 7, 2021
For thus says the Lord: you were sold for nothing and you shall be redeemed without money. – Isaiah 52:3
I hope we all know about grace by now. For by grace we have been saved through faith, and are redeemed in Christ forevermore.
As I come across this little verse in Isaiah, though, I follow Isaiah mention of how Israel came to be oppressed long ago in Egypt. By the time the writer of Isaiah is recording this, thousands of years have passed. Isaiah might be able to reflect on the loss of the northern kingdom of Israel to the Assyrians, and how Israelites from there were taken into captivity. Yet, at the same time would know nothing of being captive himself.
Still, as he listens and records an oracle of God, Isaiah notes that something new is coming, and the people of God should “break forth together into singing…for the Lord has comforted his people” (Is 52:9).
With this, I began to think how it is we as humans fall away from God. Truth is falling away is rarely intentional or intended. We simply stray from God by getting distracted by other things. We get distracted by politics, or news, or sports, or the pursuit of wealth; none of which are wrong or evil in and of themselves, but when we become overly devoted to anything aside from our relationship with God, we strain or even sever that relationship.
Thus, we hear Isaiah’s words; “you were sold for nothing…” We don’t become slaves to the world, or sin by it buying us, but we go willingly down that road, and find ourselves, sometimes, feeling as though something is missing or askew in our lives. Too often, when this is the case and things are out of sorts, we try to fix it with all the wrong things. We add things that might bring temporary pleasure or happiness, but find that it is fleeting.
The great wisdom of Scripture tells us, however, that just as we sold ourselves over to sin for nothing, without any money, we shall be redeemed. The price paid for our redemption if found in returning to or having true faith. In understanding that God forgives all sin, and gives us a better life, one abundant and eternal in Christ. All of this is free grace.
Though it is free grace, however, it is not cheap. This free grace came at the cost of Christ, of everything that God had to offer, that we might allow our lives to be lived for God’s glory, sharing in the peace and love we have received, and working that such kingdom would be shared, and would grow that others, too, would be redeemed by grace, without monetary price.
Grace & Peace,
Sam