Redeemed!

Every fourth Wednesday I do a chapel at the two rest homes in Gretna.  Part of my motive is the “sow-reap” promise for I hope someone comes to sing hymns and talk about Jesus when I find my abode to be a care home.

Yesterday we sang the hymn “Redeemed” by Fanny Crosby and William Kirkpatrick.

I asked those present if they remembered S&H Green Stamps and most did – because they are all older than me – some much older than me!

In the 50’s and 60’s one would get a little green stamp with a “1” on it for each dollar spent at a participating retailer.  Some green stamps had larger numbers representing larger amounts spent such as a “50” for 50 dollars spent.

The stickers were then put into a redemption book.  If I remember correctly, a page was full when the stamp numbers totaled 50.  So some pages where loaded with “1” stamps and others had fewer stamps as they had a higher value.

With filled books, one would go to the S&H store to “redeem” products.  A crock pot or a camera or a toy would require some number of books or even half books.  If the toy was for 3.5 books the clerk would tear a book in two to get the half.  The person would then exit the redemption store with a “purchase”.

Such is much like what Jesus did and does for us.  Jesus paid the Father for the debt incurred to God by men.  Then, in a sense, Jesus walked into the “redemption store” with books of “red” stamps and gave them over in order to take me and others off the shelf. He chose me, paid for me, and walked out of the redemption store with me.  I was redeemed by the blood of Jesus – Hallelujah!

Galatians 3:13, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”.

Psalm 31:5, Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

Psalm 107:2, Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,

“Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!  Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!”

“Redeemed through His infinite mercy!  His child and forever I am!”

“Redeemed and so happy in Jesus!  I sing for I cannot be silent!”