Today’s reading: Numbers 34-36; Mark 10:32-52
31 Moreover, you shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer, who is guilty of death, but he shall be put to death. Numbers 35:31
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
Under the Mosaic Law, a manslayer had protection and a right to a trial to determine whether he murdered intentionally or killed unintentionally. Life was precious, both the life of the one who died and the life of the one who killed him. Capital punishment was applied carefully after due process of law.
The guilty murderer, duly convicted, could not be ransomed. There could be no deal-making, no plea bargaining, no offering of an animal sacrifice to take the place of the convict. He must die, under the law.
What a contrast with the grace of God in Jesus Christ! Jesus came to give His life as a ransom for guilty people, many guilty people. I suspect that some of those guilty people had already died under the Mosaic Law, guilty of murder, but repentant and believing and saved by the grace of God and for the glory of God.
The guilty in this world still have to serve their sentences, even on Death Row, but they may be saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone to know God as Father in the eternal state to come.
How many, who could not be ransomed from their guilt under the Law of Moses, found redemption through faith in the Messiah, who gave His life a ransom for many?
Praise Jesus Christ, God’s Son, for His offering for sin!
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