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1 Peter 1:18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,

19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you

and also these …

Luke 1:68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,

69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant--

70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old--

71 Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US;

72 To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant,

These scripture passages all have one major theme in common (do you know it) … it is redemption. This week we begin the season a Lent. For some this is a season of ‘only eating fish on Fridays’ and for others it is a season of ‘giving something up for the Lord.’ Not to discourage this practice, but I want to begin the season examining the real purpose of Lent. This purpose springs, not from the New Testament, but from the Old. It all deals with the word ga ‘al (lag) – which means ‘to redeem.’

Christians everywhere will tell you that this a great ‘religious word.’ However, to be truthful … this was a normal, everyday word in the Israelite society. This word did come from secular life. Throughout their history and ours, this word has been co-opted into the religious world. The reason for this is that God himself chose to redeem.

I don’t know about everyone else, but I have always known that ‘My redeemer liveth’ and that ‘There’s power in the blood,’ and yes … my favorite … even ‘Victory in Jesus.’ But it was not until this past week that my eyes where truly opened. While I was studying my class work and taking notes in Dr. Richter’s class (so I would not fail), my eyes where opened as to just how true these facts are. This is often true to the fact that we tend to ‘shun away’ from talking about the Old Testament. As Christians, we just want the good ole Gospel! However, if we do this, we miss one major point. Without the Old, there could not have been a New.

This morning our scripture lesson proves this point. This morning our scripture passage simply stated: John 14:1 "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

What we often miss is that the scripture was written to people of a specific time. If we remember this, we then see just how important this passage is. (Pause) It all goes back to the Hebrew word in the bulletin. It is the word bet’ab, which means “father’s house.” In the time of Jesus this was an influential term. If you remember, Jesus always used examples which his followers would relate to. To a Jew, family was everything … and the head of the family was the most important. This ‘father figure,’ who consisted of the oldest male was given the task of providing for the entire family use. This bet’ab or family unit could have up to 30 people in it (3 generations). To give you an example, think back to the story of Abraham and Lot. Abraham went and paid a ransom for Lot and his family. This was because Abraham was the leader of this family. From this we learn the truth … the truth of a Father’s love. (Pause)

We have to remember that these are some of the last words to Jesus’ disciples. They had to have been scared, troubled, panicked, over what the Lord had told them. According to their master, he (Jesus) was on his way to his death. For this reason, Jesus wants to give them both a promise and peace. It is in this context that Jesus says: “Do not let your heart be troubled.” He lets each of his followers know that he is going to prepare a place for each of them. But the most important fact, is that this bet’ab … this family is not limited to 30 people. Jesus Christ himself told us that His Father’s home has many places. There is room for every man, every woman, and every child in this paradise. This is what the Bible truly is. From beginning to end, it is the story of God and his desire to redeem his people. This redemption is not earned and it does come at a great price … God gave up his only Son for each of us. With this fact, we begin this season of Lent … a period which is not just 1.5 months … but a period which in reality is the rest of our lives. During this period, we too will face trials and tribulations. We too can hold true to this fact:

"That in My Father's house are many dwelling places and thanks to Jesus Christ, we know that a place is prepared for each of us.

As we begin this season of reflection and prayer, let us remember that Jesus is the source of our salvation. If everyone would please stand and join with me we will close this morning by singing about that grace which God gave us … that redemption which we could never deserve.