Today's Word

 

In the early and mid -1900’s, there would have been at least 1 pawnbroker in every town, even in villages. We think that money is tight today, but in those days it was even tighter. Probably early in a working week, among the lower-paid working classes, an item or items of some value were taken to his shop where he would take them into his possession and give money for a family to live until the next payday, usually Friday. Some of the payday money would then be used to ‘buy back’ the item for slightly more than it had been pawned for. It was a basic form of short-term loan and the process of buying back the item was called ‘redeeming the pledge’

We are not familiar these days with pawnbrokers as credit cards are largely used for the same purpose, but sadly they are far too flexible and lead people into unrepayable debt. But within our church, we are very familiar with the word ‘redemption’ and it has the same meaning but in a vastly more important sense and it does not involve money. The Apostle Peter in his letter to the churches says this, “We are not redeemed with corruptible things such as silver or gold but with precious blood of Jesus Christ”. We quote it many times in our meetings, but the value of that blood shed on the cross sometimes fades a little as we cope with the stresses of life. Yet that blood bought us back and redeemed us from sin’s penalty, sin’s power and one day from sin’s presence. That is something money and all the riches of the world could never do. 

But not only have we been redeemed from these awful stains and problems, but we have been redeemed to God and brought into God’s family. Let us never devalue the blood of our Saviour but esteem it more precious than our own lives, which indeed would be worthless in God’s sight except for His redemption.

Article written by Brian Preston, Elder @SFGH Church