Sermonette: Sept. 23, 2019

As I consider 1 Timothy 2:1-7, our New Testament reading for Sunday, Sept. 22, I’m struck by Paul’s assertion in verse 4 that God “desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” The explicit inclusiveness of Paul’s assertion here leaps off the page. Whether it is directed against the restricted salvation offered by false teachers or even against Jewish claims to exclusivity, both the being saved by God and “the knowledge of the truth” are available to all, not just a select few.

In verses 5 and 6, Paul then stresses that the saving grace of God is made possible by Christ, who is the “one mediator between God and humankind,” and being “himself human,” he “gave himself a ransom for all.” Once again, we see a powerful inclusiveness to Paul’s proclamation.

The logic of Paul’s argument for inclusivity is straightforward. Since there is only one God, this one divine being declares that salvation is available to all. Note that the source of salvation is “one God,” and the means of salvation is Christ Jesus who is first a “mediator,” then “himself human,” and finally “a ransom for all.” It is important to point out that this ransom quality (literally a redemption or a buying back out of slavery) is the most important of Christ’s qualities for Paul’s argument for inclusivity. Christ as a “ransom for all” makes Christ the Savior for all.

A story is told about King Richard I of England. In 1193, King Richard, also known as Richard the Lionheart, was returning from leading a Crusade to the Holy Land. As he returned through Europe, Leopold V captured him in Vienna, Austria. Later, he was handed over to Henry VI, who kept him at various imperial castles. Under the threat of being handed over to Philip II, Richard agreed to the harsh terms imposed by Henry VI: a colossal ransom of 150,000 marks, equal to three tons of silver.

This was an enormous ransom demand. But the people of England so loved their king they submitted to extra taxation, and many nobles donated their fortunes for Richard’s release. After many months, the money was raised, and King Richard returned to England. The expression “a king’s ransom” may be connected to this historical account.

“A king’s ransom” is found in Paul’s first letter to Timothy, but it’s a bit different. Instead of us paying a ransom for a king’s release, our king paid a ransom for our release. Did you catch the reversal? Instead of us paying a ransom for a king’s freedom, our King, Jesus Christ, paid a ransom for our freedom.

It seems to me that Elvina Hall, in the mid-1800's certainly knew of this ransom when she wrote the words, “Jesus paid it all; All to him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.” I pray that we all, since all of us are those for whom Christ paid a ransom, would constantly give God thanks and praise for such an amazing gift of love that is freely given to everyone. Glory be to God!