cross_erebus “You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (1 Peter 1 : 18 – 19)  Secular people in the West, and more primitive people in animistic tribes, have this in common: They believe in the power of ancestral bondage. They call it by different  names. Animistic people may speak in terms of ancestral spirits and the transmission of curses. Secular people may speak of genetic influence or the wounding of abusive, codependent, emotionally distant parents.  In both cases there is a sense of fatalism that we are bound to live with the curse or the wounds from our ancestry. The future seems futile and void of happiness. When the Bible says, “You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers,” it is referring to an empty, meaningless, unprofitable way of living that ends with destruction. It says that these “futile ways” are connected with our ancestors. It doesn’t say how. The crucial thing is to notice how we are freed from the bondage of this futility. The power of the liberator defines the extent of the liberation.  Silver and gold are powerless to help.   No hex can hold against you, if your sins are all forgiven, and you are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and you are ransomed and loved by the Creator of the universe.  Nor is any wound that was inflicted by a parent beyond the healing of Jesus. The healing ransom is called “the precious blood of Christ.” The word “precious” conveys infinite value. Therefore the ransom is infinitely liberating. No bondage can stand against it. Therefore, let us turn from silver and gold and embrace the gift of God.”

Reflecting on this  fact assures me that God transcends race, sex, socio-economic strata, culture, country, heritage, national boundary, genealogy, heredity, and every other man made category and label we stick on ourselves and others.  Each category has its own set of terminology and standards that define its members.  In many cases, these standards enslave people within boundaries, seemingly impossible to escape.   When Jesus redeemed those who have come to faith in him he broke all those chains of bondage.  Jesus is not a respecter of men or man’s ways.  He is the way the truth and life.  A new life, no matter what category you are in,  can be found in Him.

Questions:   Have you ever considered that Jesus death broke the bonds of slavery to your circumstances?   Do you feel trapped by something seemingly impossible to escape from?  Jesus broke the bonds of everything natural and supernatural.  All you need to do is receive His healing and grace.

Quote from “The 50 Reasons Jesus Came to Die”.

Questions and reflections by me.

Picture – The cross at Mount Erebus, Antarctica, commemorating the 1979 Air New Zealand Crash near Mount Erebus.

Leave a Reply