May 27

Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood.

Revelation 5:9.

Christ has redeemed us lost and condemned creatures, purchased and won us from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death. For what purpose? "He died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them and rose again."

What, then, is the purpose of His redemption? That I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. For this purpose Christ redeemed us. Is it not clear? If a soldier who is in the hands of the enemy is to be liberated, a ransom-price must be paid for him; then he receives a pass and is allowed to return

home. Now, all men were in the hands of their hellish enemy. Jesus came and paid a ransom for them, and now we are free. By the Gospel this freedom is not only proclaimed, but also given to us; by the Sacraments it is sealed. The Word and the Sacraments are our divine pass to be presented at the gate of heaven. Now God, through the Gospel, would win our hearts that we may willingly and with ever-increasing joy live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him, willingly and gladly serve Him, as dear children their dear Father. True, this service will be rendered in great weakness by us poor sinners; but the everlasting righteousness and innocence nevertheless is our own unto the daily forgiveness of our sins.

Christ redeemed us "that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life." And finally He will take us from the Kingdom of Grace into the Kingdom of Glory, where we shall see His great glory and live in eternal joy and bliss and praise Him in all eternity for all the grace which He has bestowed on us. For that purpose He has redeemed us.

Prayer.

O Lord Jesus Christ, let Thy innocent blood not be shed in vain for me and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. I thank Thee for all the love with which Thou hast blessed me. For all this I shall serve Thee in holiness and righteousness. Forgive me my indifference and carelessness, my coldness and inactivity, all my past sins and shortcomings. Kindle within me true love towards Thee and a fervent zeal for Thy kingdom. To-day I pledge myself anew to be Thine own, Thine to serve Thee alone, Thine alone and forever. Do not forsake me in the hour of death, but help me through it to life eternal, and let me behold the joy of Thy countenance and Thy glory. Do this for the sake of Thy promise. Amen.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!