…Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow….Even angels long to look into these things….
…For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
— 1 Peter 1:10-21
Years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, Peter wrote about the mystery of Christ, things that “even angels long to look into.” These highest and best truths about God include the mighty act of redemption. Jesus said he came to give his life as a ransom (Mk. 10:45). And here Peter says we were redeemed not by silver or gold (the richest of the world’s riches), but by “the precious blood of Christ” (the richest of God’s treasures, the life of the very Son of God).
Redemption or ransom is at the heart of the Old Testament pictures of salvation. It means to liberate someone by buying them back. God asked the Hebrews to make a sacrifice of every firstborn. For sheep, goats, and the like, this meant death; but God told the Hebrews to substitute a lamb for their firstborn children. This liberation was a ransom. A lamb instead of a son. But in the case of Jesus, it was the Son instead of us.
It is difficult for us, as a practical matter, to give up the idea that money (silver and gold) is not where power really lies. We say there are some things money can’t buy, and that is true when it comes to love, truth, and character. It is even truer in our relationship with God. Our power, status, and wealth do not get us one step closer to God. All of that perishes, but not “the precious blood of Christ.”
Ponder This: What is something you know about Christ today that the angels would sing about?
