Purchased by blood
‘For I have not held back from announcing to you the whole purpose of God. So keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock which the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he made his own through the blood of his Son. I know that after I leave, fierce wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock.’ (verses 27-29)
Read Acts 20: 17-38
Isn’t it odd that God purchased you through his Son’s death? After all, death isn’t a trading commodity.
You would expect that if someone wanted to buy you, they would do it with gold, silver or lots of money. With money you can buy food, clothing and property. Some would argue that you can even buy happiness. You might disagree with that, but don’t we sometimes try to buy the right things in order to make ourselves happy?
Yet God purchased you to be his own. Even though he created the heavens and the earth and could have purchased you with gold and silver, he sent his precious only Son to die for you. You were bought with the blood of Jesus. His death paid for you.
Paul warns you to be wary of the wolves who will try to steal you away from God. False teachers may try to win you with gold or good experiences, but that’s no longer enough. Death is your life price.
Dear Jesus, thank you for buying my life with your death. Protect me from those who want to steal me away from you. Amen.
by Stuart Kleinig, in ‘Guidance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2002)
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