Like an old black and white film, we see the young man partially lit by the glow of a distant fixture. His tie hangs undone and his jacket hangs over the back of a chair. He's not hovering over an old manual typewriter but a new digital mixer. The music in the background isn't Glenn Miller but Chris Tomlin. But the blank expression in the eyes is the same. Like a coupon in need of redeeming, this overworked tech is in dire need of a renewed mission.
That's not my attempt at a cheesy Sam Spade metaphor, either. One thing every one of us needs is to be exchanged like that coupon you got with your last big purchase. You know the one. The rebate certificate that will give you money back if you send in a receipt and proof of purchase. It's still in the box and, right now, worthless until it is sent in and redeemed.
Believe it or not, this idea of redemption is why Jesus came. It's at the very heart of Christianity. Read Paul's words from 2 Corinthians 5:17-19:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
In English we use the word "reconcile", but it's a bit deeper. The original Greek word means an exchange of one thing for another. The Amplified Bible uses the term "bring into harmony with Him." The Message says, "settle the relationship". Just like that rebate offer. Read that verse again and replace the highlighted word with "redeem" and ”redemption".
This gives you more of an understanding of what Jesus' death and resurrection is all about. On that cross the exchange was made. God settled the relationship. He redeemed the coupon and gave us a huge offer! He gave us a rebate of our eternal lives.
Notice that Paul talks about more. He says that we have the ministry and message of reconciliation or redemption. That does not mean that we have the job of saving people - Christ alone did that. But we have been given and entrusted with a stack of coupons. It's our job to tell other people about the offer. You would do that if you found a great offer on new gear, right? We're talking about something even better, a new life!
We can do that in so many ways and using the gifts and talents that we've been given. We don't have to get any special degree or hold a special office. We can point someone to a web site or a book, invite them to church. It can be as simple as a conversation with a friend and we say something like, "I know what you're going through. I've felt that way too. What has been a real comfort for me is Jesus. Can I tell you more about it?"
I have read about missionaries in China, where spreading the message of God's redemption can land you in jail. They're method is to have new believers make a list of 10 people who don't know about the message and pray that God will give them an opportunity to share. That's the other great part of this offer - we don't go it alone. Then once we have the opportunity to share, we put them on the new prayer list and pray that God will make them a new creation.
Who would you place on your list today? Who do you know who needs to find out about this great offer?
