Jesus' death was the ultimate ransom, freeing us from the captivity of sin. We learned 2 truths in this lesson: First, we need freedom—freedom from sin’s power, guilt, and the emptiness of life without God. Second, Jesus paid this ransom with His own life: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45). Just as Jesus served us, we are called to serve others, following His example of sacrificial love.
Christ Died: To Pay Our Spiritual Debt (Colossians 2:14)
Our spiritual debt was nailed to the cross, as stated in Colossians 2:14. Sin makes us indebted to God, creating a burden we cannot repay on our own. The wages of sin is death, as Romans 6:23 teaches, meaning the consequence of sin is separation from God and eternal death. But Christ died to pay down this debt for all who trust and follow Him, offering us complete forgiveness through His sacrifice. Having been forgiven much, let us respond by loving Christ much.
Christ Died: To Show His Own Love (Ephesians 5:25)
Christ died to show His own love for His people, the church. This lesson highlights three important truths: 1) Christ loved a definite group—His church—praying specifically for His disciples and all future believers; 2) Christ willingly gave up His life, laying it down of His own accord; and 3) Christ’s love is ongoing, as He continues to care for, nourish, and pray for His people.