Redemption programs

Many businesses today use a rewards program to encourage loyalty: hotels, airlines, gas stations, the list could go on and on. The more you buy, the more points you accumulate. Thus, redeeming those points earned can be quite gratifying if you have enough of them. However, this is not a new phenomenon. The loyalty program when I was growing up was S&H Green Stamps. Green Stamps were popular from 1930 through the 80’s and merchants would give out these stamps based on the value of the purchase. That is where I would come in, lick paste, lick paste, lick paste, fifty stamps per page, 1,200 stamps per book and some days it took a lot of licking. At any rate, several books were gathered before getting out the S&H redemption catalog. What should we redeem them for? Kitchenware, outdoor gear, small appliances, or maybe something I never knew we needed? Redemption time was always a special time as we contemplated what item was going to be chosen.

My Green Stamps

A special time indeed, that is what the Apostle Paul told the Ephesians 1:7, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” But what does that mean that we have redemption through His blood? Well think of it as if Jesus was collecting Green Stamps. He collected one for me, one for you and one for the neighbor down the street. In fact, He collected one for everyone on earth who was and who ever will be. Jesus gathered these “Green Stamps” and carried them all the way to the cross at Calvary. He paid the price for collecting these “Green Stamps”, as on His journey to the cross, He was stricken, smitten and afflicted, but He never lost focus of what He was going to do… He was on His way to redeem all those books and books of stamps gathered with each of our names on them. Jesus had a special reward in mind. Yes, He knew what He was going to redeem all those stamps for. He willingly died on that cross to get that special gift He had picked out since the beginning of time.

Redeemed

That gift was to redeem you, me and all people. The blood that He shed, paid the price to redeem us from all of our sins. Why? “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24). Because of His unending love for us God give His only son and a promise to us of salvation by believing in Him (John 3:16). This redemption applies to all of us, divinely sealed by His resurrection. Jesus is our redeemer. That my friends, is the best loyalty program ever. Lord, thank you for sending your son to redeem “my stamp” so that I can live in Your righteousness. Amen.