8) To Become A Ransom For Many

Christ Suffered and Died . . .

To Become A Ransom For Many

"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

"There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

 who gave Himself as a ransom for all"

(1 Timothy 2:5-6).

What is a ransom?

Webster's dictionary defines 'ransom' as  "a consideration or a price that is paid or demanded for the release of someone or something from captivity."

Who was this ransom?

Jesus Himself said that He came “to give His life as a ransom.”  His life was given as a 'ransom', which means His life was paid for the release of someone or something. Beloved, that someone or something is none other than -  you and me !

What does this mean for us - for all mankind?

The whole need for a substitute to die on our behalf is because we have sinned against God and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And, because of our sin, “the whole world is held accountable to God” (Romans 3:19). The ultimate captivity from which we need release is the final “judgment of God”  (Romans 2:2; Revelation 14:7).

When Christ gave Himself as a ransom for us, the Bible says that we were made free from the condemnation of God. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). 

What was the ransom price?

The ransom price of our release from God’s condemnation is the life of Christ. Not just His life lived, but His life given up in death. Jesus said repeatedly to his disciples, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him” (Mark 9:31). In fact, one of the reasons Jesus loved to call Himself “the Son of Man” (over sixty-five times in the Gospels) was that it had the ring of mortality about it. Men can die. That’s why He had to be one. 

The ransom could only be paid by God, because the ransom had to be a spotless, blemish-less, sinless, life given up in death. 

This price was not coerced from Him. That’s the point of saying, "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” He needed no service from us. He was the giver, not the receiver. “No one takes [My life] from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord” (John 10:18). The price was paid freely; it was not forced. Which brings us again to His love. He freely chose to rescue us at the cost of His life.

How many did Christ effectively ransom from sin? 

He said that He came “to give His life as a ransom for many.”  No one who embraces the treasure of the ransoming Christ, is excluded from this salvation. 

The principle is simple :-

The giver of the ransom is: Father God 

The ransom is : Jesus Christ, Son of God

The receiver of the ransom is : Father God 

The captive who is released : you and me! 

God gives every individual the opportunity to en-cash Jesus, as the ransom for their freedom from God's judgement. If en-cashed by faith, that individual's sin is totally paid for. That individual becomes a new creation. Old things pass away and all things become brand new. Hallelujah!

Lets pray: 

"Dear Father, thank You for offering Jesus Christ, as a ransom for my freedom. I have a been a slave to my sinful nature. I have been far from You. I have been doing things my way, choosing my opinions over Your's. I know I can never make it to Heaven by my own list of accomplishments. I need Your help. I thank You for the sinless, spotless Lamb who was offered in my place. He paid the ransom for my release. From today, I am free to live for You and live with You in Heaven for all eternity. Thank You very much. In Jesus Name. Amen."

Lets worship: with the song 'How deep the Father's love for us' by Sarah Sadler at 

The so-far mentioned reasons for why Christ suffered and died can be followed at http://knowing-christ.blogspot.com/:-

7) To cancel the legal demands of the law against us

6) To show His own love for us

5) To show Grace for sinners

4) To achieve His own resurrection from the dead

3) To learn obedience and be perfected

2) To please His own Heavenly Father

1) To absorb the wrath of God

Be blessed,

Meghna and Ashish

(inspired by 'Fifty reasons why He came to die' by author John Piper)