This week’s devotions are based on Week 2 of Confessing Christ in a Confused World (WATCH HERE)
1 Peter 1:18-19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
When Martin Luther explained the Second Article of the Creed, he did not stop with who Jesus is. He moved to what Jesus has done.
He wrote that Christ “has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood.”
Those words are deeply personal.
Notice Luther did not say Christ redeemed humanity in general. He certainly did. But Luther wanted believers to know that Christ’s saving work is also for them personally.
For you.
Imagine receiving a gift addressed specifically to you. Your name is written on the package. It has been purchased, prepared, and delivered with you in mind. Yet many Christians live as though God’s grace is meant for everyone except them.
They believe Jesus forgives sins.
They just struggle to believe He forgives theirs.
They believe God loves sinners.
They just wonder whether He still loves them.
The gospel speaks directly into those doubts.
Christ did not come to save an anonymous crowd. He came to save people. Real people with real failures. Real people with real regrets.
People like Peter, who denied Him.
People like Thomas, who doubted Him.
People like the thief on the cross, who had nothing to offer.
People like us.
Peter reminds believers that they were not redeemed with perishable things such as silver or gold. If salvation could be purchased, no amount of money would ever be enough. The debt of sin is too great.
Instead, we were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.
Think about what that means.
Jesus saw every sin you would ever commit.
Every failure.
Every moment of rebellion.
Every secret shame.
And He still went to the cross.
Not reluctantly.
Not grudgingly.
But willingly.
The cross is God’s declaration that your value is not determined by your performance. Your value is measured by the price Jesus was willing to pay to make you His own.
When guilt accuses you, remember Christ has redeemed you.
When fear overwhelms you, remember Christ has redeemed you.
When death seems frightening, remember Christ has redeemed you.
Your standing before God does not depend on what you have done for Him. It rests entirely on what Christ has done for you.
That is why Christians confess with confidence:
“I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.”
Not merely because it is true…but because of the personal impact he has on each of us. He came for us. He redeemed us. We get to live with him forever!
Reflect: What guilt, failure, or fear do you need to place again at the foot of Christ’s cross today? How does remembering that Jesus redeemed you personally change the way you view yourself and your future?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for redeeming me. Thank You for purchasing and winning me, not with gold or silver, but with Your holy and precious blood. When I am tempted to trust in myself, remind me of Your finished work. Help me live each day in the confidence that I am forgiven, loved, and secure in You. Amen.