Who Will Go And Redeem Man Bible Verse
The question of who will redeem mankind is an important one in Christian theology. In this article, we will provide a detailed look at the biblical verses that discuss redemption and analyze what they say about who the redeemer will be.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the redeemer who came to save mankind from sin and death.
We will examine the biblical background of redemption, look at Old Testament prophecies about the redeemer, analyze New Testament verses that identify Jesus as the redeemer, understand why redemption was necessary, and reflect on the meaning of redemption for Christian living today.
Background and Old Testament Prophecies of the Redeemer
The Concept of Redemption in the Bible
The concept of redemption is a key theme throughout the Bible, pointing to God’s plan to save humanity from sin and death. In the Old Testament, the idea of redemption focused on God delivering and restoring his people Israel from exile and bondage.
Through the sacrificial system, sins could be atoned for by the blood of animals offered as substitutes.
However, the Old Testament points forward to an ultimate act of redemption that would deal with sin once and for all. As the prophet Isaiah wrote, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
The stage was set for the coming Messiah to fulfill the mission of redemption.
Isaiah’s Prophecies of the Redeemer
The book of Isaiah contains some of the most vivid prophecies about the coming Redeemer and the redemption he would accomplish. Isaiah spoke of the Messiah as the “Suffering Servant” who would be “pierced for our transgressions” and bear the sins of the people (Isaiah 53:5).
Though he would be “despised and rejected” (53:3), this Servant would justify the many through his sacrificial death.
Isaiah also prophesied about the Messiah’s mission, saying “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1).
The Redeemer would bring spiritual and social redemption.
Psalms Point to a Redeemer
The theme of redemption permeates the Psalms, as poetic prayers tie redemption to the steadfast love and faithfulness of God. “No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough” (Psalm 49:7-8).
Yet the psalmist trusted God would redeem Israel (Psalm 25:22).
Psalm 130 especially ties redemption to forgiveness of sins: “there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared” (v. 4). The psalmist waits hopefully for the Lord’s redemptive work: “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope…Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption” (Psalm 130:5-7).
New Testament Identification of Jesus as the Redeemer
Jesus’s Words about His Redemptive Mission
In the Gospels, Jesus often spoke of His purpose being to redeem humanity. He told His disciples that He had come “to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). During the Last Supper, Jesus said His blood was “poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28).
This demonstrated that Jesus knew His death would pay the price for people’s sins. Jesus made statements that inferred He was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy about the suffering servant who “bore the sin of many” (Isaiah 53:12).
The Gospels Present Jesus as the Savior
The Gospel writers portrayed Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah who would save God’s people. Matthew’s Gospel begins by calling Jesus the one who “will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Mark opens with Isaiah’s prophecy about a messenger preparing the way for the coming of the Lord, which John the Baptist fulfilled as the forerunner of Christ.
Luke’s genealogy links Jesus to David, affirming His lineage as the Messianic King. John calls Jesus “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The Gospels emphasize Jesus’ miracles and sacrificial death as proofs of His divine identity and saving purpose.
Paul’s Letters Connect Jesus with Redemption
The apostle Paul wrote extensively about salvation through faith in Christ. He taught that all people were enslaved to sin and under God’s condemnation, but “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement” for our sins (Romans 3:25).
Because of Jesus redeeming us, “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7). Paul said God chose us to be “holy and blameless in his sight” by “redemption through his blood” (Ephesians 1:4-7).
He also called Jesus’ death “a ransom to set them free” from the penalty of sin (Hebrews 9:15). Paul’s letters are filled with the message of Christ’s redemptive work.
Why Redemption was Necessary
The Problem of Sin
Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). This brought separation between God and humans, as a holy God cannot be united with sinful man. Sin is universal – “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Examples of sins include lying, stealing, lust, pride, and idolatry. Sin has infected every human’s heart, so that we sin naturally from birth. Just one sin makes us deserving of God’s judgment.
Consequences of Sin and Separation from God
Sin leads to death – “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Both physical and spiritual death entered the world from Adam’s sin. We cannot save ourselves or reverse the curse through our own efforts. Our good deeds will never outweigh our bad ones. Sin also leads to the wrath of God (Romans 1:18).
Without redemption, sinful man faces judgment and eternal separation from God after death (Revelation 20:11-15). Life without God leads to meaninglessness and despair.
According to a 2020 Lifeway Research survey, 47% of millenial Christians believe it is wrong to evangelize and share their faith. This shows the increasing acceptance in modern culture of religious pluralism and rejection of absolute truth claims.
Inability to Save Ourselves
“No one is righteous before God” (Romans 3:10). We cannot merit salvation or earn God’s favor through good works. Our righteousness is as “filthy rags” before a holy God (Isaiah 64:6). We are unable to keep God’s perfect standard.
There are many man-made attempts to redeem ourselves that lead to false assurance. For example:
- Trying to work our way to heaven
- Following religious rituals or sacraments as a means of grace
- Pursuing enlightenment through meditation or mysticism
But Scripture says “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Our only hope is for someone else to pay the penalty for our sins. Because all have sinned, only someone sinless could provide redemption. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the only perfect and sinless person to walk the earth. He alone could offer redemption.
The Meaning of Redemption for Christian Living
Redemption Calls Us to Gratitude and Worship
Being redeemed by Christ should fill us with immense gratitude and a desire to worship Him. After all, we were lost in sin and unable to save ourselves, yet God in His great mercy sent His Son to die for us so that we could be forgiven and set free (Ephesians 1:7).
Recognizing the incredible price Jesus paid to purchase our redemption ought to make us want to lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving to God.
Ephesians 1:6 says that God redeemed us “to the praise of his glorious grace.” Our redemption brings glory to God, so we should have hearts overflowing with thankfulness for what He has done. Our worship is an expression of our gratitude for the amazing grace shown to us.
Living as Redeemed People
Being redeemed means we are no longer slaves to sin but have been freed to live new lives in Christ. As redeemed people, we are called to turn away from sin and instead pursue righteousness in how we think, speak, and act.
Titus 2:14 says Jesus “gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” We demonstrate that we are truly redeemed by striving to honor God in everything we do.
Living as redeemed people includes loving others, being patient and kind, not envying or boasting, not being proud or rude. It means living with integrity and self-control, being generous, forgiving wrongs, rejoicing in truth (1 Corinthians 13:4-6).
Our lives should reflect the transforming power of redemption.
Mission to Share the Gospel of Redemption
Part of our calling as redeemed people is to share with others the good news of redemption found in Jesus. Just as we were lost in darkness before hearing the gospel, many people around us remain in spiritual darkness, enslaved to sin but not knowing the freedom found in Christ.
God desires for all people to experience His redeeming grace. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 says God “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” We have the privilege of being ambassadors for Christ, appealing to the lost to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Our mission is to spread the light of the gospel so that many will believe and receive eternal redemption.
Living as redeemed people includes proclaiming redemption to the world through our words, attitudes, and Christ-like love. As redeemed people, we have a story of grace to share and a redeemer to exalt who sets captives free.
We have the joy of participating in God’s mission to redeem people from every tribe, tongue, and nation until Christ returns to make all things new.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus Christ is the redeemer who came to rescue humanity from the consequences of sin. Old Testament prophecies pointed ahead to a coming redeemer, and the New Testament identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of these prophecies.
His incarnation, sacrificial death and resurrection accomplished the redemption we could not achieve ourselves. This biblical truth provides the foundation for Christian faith, worship, ethics and mission.
