Redeemer | A Flame in the Dark

Her life was broken. And it was about to end. She had been caught in a sin that demanded death: adultery. The religious leaders brought her to the temple, disrupted the teaching, and tested a man named Jesus about her punishment. All eyes were on her. I imagine the shame and disgrace she felt in that moment was great. If they chose to stone her, her life would end violently. If they chose to release her, she’d be shamed in society forever. Either way, it seemed like a hopeless outcome.

But Jesus. Jesus exposed the sin of her accusers so that they could no longer condemn her {John 8}. Then He spoke to her saying, “’Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.’…‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of LIFE.’” Jesus gave her life.

Then there was the demon-possessed man. He wore no clothes and was homeless. He was exceedingly fierce and was cast out of the town to live in the tombs alongside the Sea of Galilee. It is said that no man could tame him. The people were surely afraid and the demons tormented him constantly. What hope was left for him?

But Jesus. Jesus came and cast the demons out, and He restored life to this man {Mark 5}. Jesus told him to go tell his friends and proclaim what the Lord had done, and they marveled because they saw the life transformation. Jesus gave him hope. Jesus gave him his community back. Jesus gave him life.

Story after story, I read of Jesus as the Life Giver. He redeems. He restores. He heals. He comforts. He forgives. He saves. He is the ultimate Life Giver.

But Jesus…But Jesus was tormented too. He was spat upon and mocked. They took a whip to Him and lashed Him 39 times. They forced a crown of thorns on his head and struck Him with a rod. Then they made Him carry a large wooden cross to the place they would crucify Him. Mercilessly, the soldiers took the mallet and pounded nails into His wrists and feet. Then they lifted up the cross and watched Him hang in agony.

The Life Giver died on that cross.

But Jesus. Jesus rose from the dead three days later, and in so doing, He conquered death. Jesus is LIFE and death is the absence of Him. He restores us and He redeems us. He came to give us life, and life abundant.

How has Jesus given you LIFE today? Now that He has given you life, how can your life honor & glorify Him?

She had been bleeding for 12 years and spent all of her money on doctors, yet she remained unwell. Because of the state of her bleeding, she probably had no children, no family, no identity. Society considered her “unclean,” which left her with no social networks, no friends to hang out with in the evenings, no real relationships. Her story is summed up in a few short sentences in Luke 8:43-48.

Jesus was on His way to heal Jairus’ daughter. Jairus was a ruler of the synagogue – an important leader within his community. His name is mentioned in the passage, as well as his prestigious title. But as Jairus led Jesus to his dying daughter, a woman reached out and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. What was her name? It is not mentioned. The only thing she is identified by is her illness…that is, until the King of kings identified her as a daughter of God[1]. Jesus stopped for her, acknowledged her, healed her, and then commended her for her faith. He did more than just heal her body: He gave her a valuable identity; He honored her in a society that would have criticized her desperate act of faith; He redeemed her.

You may not be a leader in your community, you may not be rich, and few may know your name. Perhaps you feel like a nobody; a nameless face disregarded by many. However, the God of the universe has called you His own. He has called you as His son or His daughter. And as an heir, you have access to touch the hem of His garment; you have access to approach the Throne of Grace. No one is more important to Him than you. Though the world may disregard you, He knows your name and He calls you His own.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb 4:16

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Is 43:1

[1] Blue Letter Bible