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lead their troops in victorious battle against the occupying Romans, and again allow them to live as an independent nation. For the most part, they were not looking for a redeemer who would die. Jesus, on the other hand, "did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). In laying down His life as a ransom, Jesus redeemed His people and saved them from eternal death. Luke would quote Paul in Acts as explaining that God bought the church "with His own blood" (20:28)—the blood of Jesus who was both the Son of God and God the Son. Paul would echo this sentiment in his own letters. Christians, he explains "were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies" (1 Cor. 6:20). Given the high price of our redemption, Paul urges believers to honor God. istmylisa/Photos.com threaten to falsify God's promises. Still, each time, God redeems His people by orchestrating circumstances and empowering key leaders so that the line of his chosen people continues and eventually brings redemption to the entire world. UNFAILING LOVE AND REDEMPTION Psalm 130 is probably the most relevant chapter in all the Old Testament's books of poetry and wisdom for our theme. Verses 7 and 8 bring the psalm to its climax with the call, "Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption. He Himself will redeem Israel from all their sins." Still, the prophets bring the Old Testament to a close with Israel still awaiting its full redemption. The prophets also frequently rebuked the people for sacrifices that proved meaningless while they continued to exploit the poor and the foreigner (see Amos, in particular). No other religion or ideology even attempts to tell so comprehensive a story. And, certainly, no other worldview claims that God did for humans what we could never do for ourselves by becoming human Himself and paying the infinite price for our sins. By the time of Jesus of Nazareth, messianic fervor was at a fever pitch. But the Israelites were looking for a liberator who would be an earthly king, Romans 3:25-26 puts the whole story together: God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. Paul realized animal sacrifices weren't enough. God Himself had to redeem the world through his divine Son. But people do not automatically receive redemption; they must appropriate it by faith. They must surrender control of their lives and become Jesus's followers. Hebrews 9 likewise stresses the need for a once-forall sacrifice for sin. THE STORY'S AMAZING CLIMAX Those who accept this free but costly gift of redemption have an amazing future. Revelation 21-22 brings the Bible to a close with its depiction of the new heavens and new earth—a realm of sanctified earthly delights with God and the company of the redeemed from all time in unending happiness. No other religion or ideology even attempts to tell so comprehensive a story. And, certainly, no other worldview claims that God did for humans what we could never do for ourselves by becoming human Himself and paying the infinite price for our sins. What a grand finale! Tragically, some remain content to live, in C. S. Lewis's memorable words, like "an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea."2 But we don't have to; the choice is ours. Craig Blomberg, PhD Dr. Blomberg joined the Denver Seminary faculty in 1986 with degrees from Augustana College and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a PhD from Aberdeen University in Scotland. He has authored or edited twenty books and contributed to a number of professional journals. 2 C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory, and Other Addresses (New York and London: HarperCollins, 2000 [orig. 1949]), 26. 14 FALL 2013 DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF NEW TESTAMENT