Recently the story of 21 members of a mission team held captive in Haiti was in the news. The captors wanted a ransom of millions of dollars for the release of the hostages. As I recall, the demand amounted to one million dollars per hostage.
That got me thinking about the value of a human life. What is a human life truly worth? If you or I were held hostage, what amount would be the fair value that our family, friends, or government could pay to save us? Does the amount vary depending on our character or what we contribute to society? Should the amount vary based upon our age or wealth?
Psalm 49:6-9 says, “Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit.”
According to God, no amount of riches is suffice to ransom a life.But the meaning of these words is far deeper than simple ransom. You see, we are all held captive by our fears, weaknesses, pride, and sin according to the Scripture. Their is no price of wealth or works that can be paid to satisfy God’s purpose. So God has already paid the ransom to free us from our captivity. I Timothy 2:5-6 says, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”
In His love for us, the Father gave His Son to save, redeem and ransom us from death into eternal life. However, there is one problem. For this ransom to become effective, we must accept it. We must agree that we are held hostage by our selfishness and sin, and believe that Jesus will set us free.
God’s redemptive offer has stood for thousands of years. Will you not accept it today? Freedom awaits your reply!
Reluctant Retiree 