Redeemed. Bought back. Exchanged.

What do you have of value that you’d trade for something you want? What do you have that is important that you are willing to give up because something else is even more important?

That’s the story at the end of Easter weekend. That God redeems his people. That Jesus gives up life for the sake of something more important. That the body of Christ is gained by the death of its head.

It’s an easy idea to say, but what does it mean, redemption?

And what do I have of value to give up for the sake of understanding it better?

Paul talked about being willing to give up everything for one thing, to forget everything that was in the past and to press on to understand Christ.

He writes, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him.”

It may be an interesting reflection for the next few weeks. To give up what distracts for the sake of the time to think, to study, to discuss, to explore. To give up time and attention to other things for the sake of devoting attention to redemption.

Perhaps we shall.

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33 things to give up for Lent is a list I made several years ago for this day.