Redemption

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 9
Redemption was no afterthought with our God; it was His purpose from the beginning. By the work of redemption He prepared the richest glory for His own blessed name, and the fullest joy for His creatures. "The morning stars sang together," it is true, "and all the sons of God shouted for joy," when the foundations of the earth were laid, but the shouting’s of grace when the new creation is finished by the bringing forth of the Head Stone, will be louder still. Never were such music and dancing in the house before, as when the poor prodigal had returned, and been received as one alive from the dead. Never had such affections been awakened within him before. Never had the father's treasures been brought forth till then. Till then the fatted calf, the ring, and the best robe had been laid up, and never had the father himself so full a joy in his child as when he fell on his neck and kissed him. And so is it in the wondrous ways of our God. Creation brought forth the resources of His love, and wisdom, and power, and heaven on high was glad through all its order, and earth smiled beneath, the fair witness of His handiwork. But redemption has drawn forth still richer treasures that were lying hid in God—has awakened still more adoring joy and praise "in the presence of the angels," and has given new and more divine affections to the children of men.
Everything is to stand in grace. Love was of old, because God is love, and love was therefore made known in the work of creation, and that by communicating goodness and blessing. But love has found a fuller scope for expressing itself in the work of redemption in bringing grace and showing mercy, and this is its new character (see 1 John 2:88Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. (1 John 2:8)). Grace, the source and power of redemption, is "the glory that excelleth" the light that shined from heaven in converting grace and power around Saul of Tarsus, was "above the brightness of the sun." Grace is the fullest, and indeed the only worthy expression of the unsearchable riches of divine love. The heavens will rejoice in grace (Rev. 5:11, 1211And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. (Revelation 5:11‑12)), and Israel, as representing the joy of the earth, will, in the end, triumph in it also (Isa. 60:1; 61:101Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. (Isaiah 60:1)
10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10); Zeph. 3:14, 1514Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. 15The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. (Zephaniah 3:14‑15)).
J.G. Bellett