Contemplative Bible Reading

Matthew 20:28 (New Living Translation)

28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Jesus concludes a discussion on what we value with this statement about His own life and ransom.

One definition of ransom is “something paid or demanded for the freedom of a captured person.”

All of mankind for all of history was captured by death. (There is much about death we could discuss, but not today.) To be freed from death, a ransom was paid. The ransom is something valuable, but not as valuable as the persons freed. I value the captured persons more than I value the ransom, so I give up the ransom to have the persons freed.

Let’s step back a moment and consider this. God valued the life of His Son less than the souls of man. Hence, God gave the life of His Son in exchange for the souls of man.

Yes, I am a tiny part of the souls of mankind, but I am a part. God values my soul more than the life of His Son. And what am I doing with this soul that was freed at such a price? Yikes. Do I have to answer that?

Perhaps I can start by giving a drink of water to a thirsty person. Perhaps I can put a blanket on a cold person. Perhaps there are many ways I can show appreciation for being ransomed at such great a price.