Message summary: Today we will consider the one all-sufficient ransom paid on our behalf to redeem us from sin.

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"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time" (1 Timothy 2:5,6).

Yesterday we had communion in our church and the service ended with a powerful song that we always turn up when we hear it playing on the radio:

Especially catching my attention was the word "ransomed". It is found in 1 Timothy 2:5,6 which is one of the great verses that teach the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and His singular role as the one and only mediator between God and man and the ransom paid on our behalf.

Ransom means, "a consideration paid or demanded for the release of someone or something from captivity" (Merriam-Webster). It's a word found throughout the Bible (a total of 26 times).

It's used as we use it today in human interactions such as a provision in the law: "If a ransom is imposed on him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is imposed on him" (Exodus 21:30).

Throughout other verses in the Old Testament it has a spiritual sense such as David's plea, "Draw near to my soul, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies!" (Psalm 69:18).

Isaiah spoke of this great promise, "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isaiah 51:11).

Jesus, in what may be described as His personal mission statement said, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45)

Today let us focus on the text in 1 Timothy, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time" (1 Timothy 2:5,6).

Bible teacher Donald Guthrie comments, "Christ is pictured as an ‘exchange price’ on behalf of and in the place of all, on the grounds of which freedom may be granted. Yet not all enjoy that freedom. The ransom‚ it is true‚ has infinite value‚ but the benefits require appropriation. The apostle is implying here that since the ransom is adequate for all, God must desire the salvation of all."

The Gospel Bridge is a graphic I have found helpful and have long used in explaining God's provision for salvation through Christ.

In the early seventies a popular expression used among young Christians was the upraised "One Way" index finger, proclaiming that Jesus is the one and only way to heaven.

In the halls of Truman High, a large public high school in Independence, Missouri, it was a gesture we often shared with other Christian students, no words required, simply the index finger pointed upward. I still have a paperback NT I used at that time with a large "One Way Jesus" decal on the back. (above)

Pastor Steven Cole of the Flagstaff Christian Fellowship comments,

This is the essential message we must present to our world. Those of us who boldly and unashamedly assert the Biblical exclusivity of Jesus Christ as the only way to the Father are increasingly maligned as being ignorant and intolerant. Well, so be it. That is what our Lord Jesus and the apostles taught! There is only one all-sufficient ransom paid on our behalf to redeem us from sin.

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, there are so many luring paths one might take in this vast world, thinking they're headed the right way, only to find the long roads lead to a dead end. As believers, we know that there is only one way to reconcile ourselves to You, our Father in heaven, and that is through Christ Jesus Your Son who declares, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Farther but through me". We cannot earn our salvation because You give it freely though it came at great cost. We choose to receive Your gift of salvation through our faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. We are immensely grateful for Your love and generosity toward us through the merciful sacrifice of Your beloved Son who paid the ransom for our sin, and it's in His name that we pray. Amen.

"Thank You Jesus for the Blood"  Watch on YouTube  Charity Gayle

"Thank You Jesus for the Blood"  Watch on YouTube  From our service at Calvary Church yesterday (Cued to where song begins)

Two resources I find helpful:

1) Yesterday I taught a lesson to our "Crossroads" Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF) class at our church. The lesson was on 1 Timothy 2 and in part prompted today's message.

For teachers there is always a challenge in preparation:

Some may want a lot of detail and a “deeper” study. Others may prefer more an overview type with a focus on how it applies to life today. Both are valid but a teacher really can’t do both in the same time frame.

Generally I use an overview type with a focus on how it applies to life both in our Daily Encouragement writing and my class teaching

For those who want to dig deeper Precept Austin is a resource I have used for many years available free online. This link is directly to resources on 1 Timothy 2

2) The Berean Test is a website that provide detailed, discerning analysis of songs.

"Consumed By Fire" Watch on YouTube   First Things First  Later this month we will be at a family reunion near Wagoner Oklahoma where the three brothers that form this group originate.