Redeemed By the Blood (1 Peter 1:18-21)

Bible Passage: 1 Peter 1:18-21

A cornerstone of our identity in Christ is the redemption that we have through the cross. We were brought out of one way of life and into another, and this was at a great cost. In these verses, Peter explores the redemption believers have and the implications of this for our identities and how we live as Christians in the world.

Redeemed From… : As Peter describes our redemption, he speaks of it as redemption from ‘the empty (some translations have ‘futile’) way of life handed down to you from your ancestors. Peter addressed the theme of individual sin and holiness earlier in the letter, but here he has in mind the way patterns of life and sin can become generational. In families or even whole cultures, there can be destructive habits or lifestyles that are passed down from generation to generation, and it can sometimes feel impossible to break these patterns. The hope that Peter offers us here is that neither the family we were born into nor the culture we are from needs to define who we are. This was as true for the early Jewish believers that Peter wrote to who were brought up under the law as it is for those of us today who have picked up unhealthy habits from our parents or taken on the sins and habits of the culture in which we live.

Redeemed By… : The redemption image is one that speaks of buying freedom at a price. It was often used in the contexts of setting slaves free or buying back prisoners of war. Today we might use the language of recovering an item from a pawnbroker. Peter wants the believers to reflect on their own redemption. They have been bought, but unlike a freed slave or prisoner, the price was not gold or silver. No mere money could secure our redemption from the empty ways of life, but the price was much higher: the precious blood of Jesus, who had been chosen for this role before the creation of the world. In describing Jesus as a lamb without blemish, Peter is bringing to mind the Old Testament sacrificial system, and particularly the Passover, in which the freedom of the people was given through the sacrifice of a spotless lamb. Those Old Testament sacrifices did not have the power to take away sin in themselves, but pointed forward to what Jesus would do.

Redeemed Through… : In verse 21, Peter twice mentions belief or faith. His point is that through believing in Jesus’ resurrection, our faith is ultimately in God who raised him from the dead. Faith is closely linked to our redemption, as it is through faith that we can access the redemption that Jesus bought for us with his blood. Redemption is not something that automatically applies to everyone who has ever lived. Nor is it something that we earn by working hard or doing good deeds. Redemption comes as we put our trust in what Jesus did on the cross and choose to turn from those futile ways of life to living by faith in him.

Potential Applications:

• The passage is a clear articulation of the gospel promise of redemption. Invite people to put their faith in Jesus and find redemption in him.
• Some people will be very aware of generational habits or patterns of life that have been passed down to them in their family or culture. You may wish to offer prayer for people to break the power of some of these habits over their lives.
• The passage challenges us to be confident in sharing our faith and proclaiming the gospel, as the blood of Jesus has the power to redeem people who seem entrenched in even the most futile ways of life.