The Hope Of Redemption
Ever wondered if you've messed up so badly, or so often, that there's no coming back from it?
The reality of our human experience is that we are flawed; anyone who says they're not is either arrogant or oblivious. At times, we even want to do what's right and good, and end up doing the wrong thing. And when we keep messing up, especially in our relationships with those we love, we begin to wonder if there's any hope for us, whether it's ever going to get any better. Was this time the last time? Is there any hope of redemption for me?
The Bible is made up of 66 books; 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. What is truly unique about the Bible is that these 66 books -- written by 40 different human authors, on three different continents, over a period of 1500 years -- tell one unified story: God created perfectly, man messed up big time, and God promised a Redeemer, one who would make all the wrong right again.
The 39 books of the Old Testament tell how God chose the nation of Israel, through which He would bring this Redeemer, who would not only bring blessing to Israel, but to the whole world. The Old Testament recounts how this little nation messed up, time and time again. Despite God's faithful care over His people, they rebelled against His commands and His sovereignty; they worshipped false gods, they pursued their own desires rather than obeying His instructions and, as a consequence, brought shame upon His name. In response, God had to discipline them over and over ... and yet He continued to send His prophets who would remind the people of God's promise to send the Redeemer. While the nation seemed to continue in rebellion and pride, God kept for Himself a remnant who were faithful, who obeyed His commands and who waited for His promised Messiah, the Redeemer.
At the conclusion of the Old Testament, in the final book of the prophet Malachi, we read these words: "But for you who fear My Name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings." (Mal. 4:2) The prophecy includes a promise of a forerunner, before the arrival of the Redeemer, the "sun of righteousness".
And then ... four hundred years of silence from God.
How the faithful must have longed for a word from God, some reassurance that the plan was not derailed! Who would blame them for becoming discouraged, for wondering if, perhaps, the nation had sinned against God one too many times, and God had finally had it with them? I know I've looked at my own failures and wondered the same, if God was rolling His eyes at me coming to Him for forgiveness once again, and thinking "Oh seriously? Him again? That's it; I'm done."
But God is faithful to His promises, not because of our faithfulness, but because of His character; He is the Faithful God!
After four hundred years of silence, you would expect the New Testament to begin with an epic beginning, something like John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." You would expect echoes of the majesty of Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
Instead, the opening words of the New Testament consist of ... a genealogy. Perhaps you've wondered about that, thinking "That's rather anti-climactic, after 400 years of silence." But I believe there's real purpose in that choice, and it lifts my heart as I consider it! Let me show you.
Consider the individuals listed in this genealogy:
- Abraham, a polygamist who lied about Sarah being his wife twice
- Jacob the schemer and deceiver
- Judah who "hired" a prostitute
- Tamar who conceived through incest
- Ruth who was a Moabitess, a people condemned by God
- David who committed adultery and murder
- Ahaz and Manasseh, just two of many wicked kings who led the nation into idolatry
- Jechoniah who was cursed by God
Talk about a "who's who" of messed-up people! And yet ... God's plans to provide a Redeemer are not diverted or derailed. Right after the genealogy, Matthew reminds us that the angel spoke to Joseph and said “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins.” These people's lives were anything but perfect ... and yet God sovereignly included them in the family tree that, at the right time -- His time -- produced the Redeemer.
What a glorious reminder that, despite our sin and our failures, God's promises will be fulfilled! God is faithful to His promises, not because of our faithfulness, but because of His character; He is the Faithful God! Because of this, you are never too far gone to exhaust the riches of His forgiveness and mercy.
If you are a sinner and thinking "You don't know what I've done. There's no way God will forgive me now." then I urge you: lay down your pride, turn from your sin and turn to Him in repentance. Isaiah 59:1 says "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or His ear dull, that it cannot hear." If you admit your sin, turn to Him for forgiveness and the strength to live His way from now on, He has promised to forgive and save you; He will redeem your life!
