“…the Son of Man came …to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:28
The dramatic hostage negotiations between Hamas and Israel have captured the world’s attention and dominated media headlines for months.
We have all watched, often with polarizing effect, the devastation that has unfolded in Israel and Gaza over the past year and a half.
The only relief from the persistent and mounting fears that the conflict could spill over into a broader regional war has been both sides finally agreeing to a ceasefire after months of negotiations.
At the heart of the ceasefire deal is the exchange of hostages for prisoners. Without exaggeration, we could say that the currency of the ceasefire is flesh and blood.
The challenge of determining a reasonable ‘price,’ often referred to as the ‘ransom’ for a hostage, plays a crucial and complex role in negotiations. Governments and organizations must weigh the ethical, political, and strategic implications of securing the release of captives. The question of whether—or how much—to pay as ransom often revolves around two core tensions: the moral imperative to save lives and the fear that paying ransom could encourage further abductions and terrorism.
On one side of the issue, we see a country like Israel, which in 2011 exchanged 1,000 prisoners for one soldier. On the other side, countries like Canada, the UK, and the USA take a hardline stance against negotiating with terrorists, fearing that making any concessions would only encourage further kidnappings. Some argue that every effort should be made to save captives at any cost, while others contend that compromise fuels hostage-taking and increases the loss of lives in the long run.
Regardless of which side one takes, the issue ultimately forces us to reflect on the value of a single life.
This is what makes Jesus’ description of His life mission so profound. He states that God sees our lives as immensely valuable, so much so that He sent His Son “to give His life as a ransom.” But what does “ransom” mean in this context? Why would God need or want to send His Son to give Himself as a ransom?
In Matthew 20:28, Jesus declares that He “came to give his life as a ransom for many.” Here, He reveals the essence of His divine mission—to release us from our captivity to sin and death through the sacrifice of Himself in our place. The concept of ransom, central to this passage, also plays a key role in modern hostage negotiations. By examining Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice and the principles of ransom in contemporary settings, we gain deeper insight into the profound theological and ethical significance of the value of life.
The Greek word λύτρον (lytron), translated as “ransom” in Matthew 20:28, denotes a “payment made to secure the release of a captive.” This term reflects the biblical theme of redemption, where a price was paid to free slaves or prisoners (Exodus 21:30, Leviticus 25:51). Jesus applies this imagery to His own sacrifice, portraying Himself as the One sent by God to secure our freedom—not from physical captivity, but from the bondage of sin and the fear of death.
Christ’s ransom is both unique and supreme because He voluntarily offers Himself as a substitute for us. Unlike a monetary payment or a prisoner exchange, Jesus’ perfect and holy life was the price He Himself willingly paid to free those imprisoned by sin. The Apostle Peter writes, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed… but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19). As mentioned earlier, the currency of our ransom price is flesh and blood.
This self-giving act underscores the incalculable worth of every human soul and the lengths to which God went to free us from spiritual bondage and judgment.
Jesus’ declaration challenges us to consider the true value of our lives before God. His ransom payment was not a cold, calculated political exchange; it was an act of unconditional love, demonstrating that God deemed us worth paying the ultimate price. God does not see us as mere bargaining chips in some cosmic hostage exchange; He sees us as individuals created in His image, with immeasurable potential, worth, and dignity. You are not just an evolved animal, destined to be enslaved by your lowest passions. You are a human being, created in the image of God, with inherent dignity, purpose, and value.
Do you recognize your spiritual bondage to sin? Do you long for deliverance from the cruel grip of your spiritual captor, the devil? Do you long to experience the fullest measure of life and the freedom to which God calls you? The choice lies with you.
Near the end of a recent American presidency, news reports surfaced that President Biden had offered to commute the sentences of certain individuals on death row to life imprisonment. Shockingly, some refused the offer, preferring to risk death by execution rather than serve out the rest of their lives in prison. Does it seem unbelievable that they would reject such an offer?
And yet, people do the same thing every day by rejecting God’s offer of freedom in Christ Jesus. God has negotiated our release from bondage. He has paid the ransom for our liberty through His Son. The price is paid. Jesus cried from the cross, “It is finished,” literally meaning, “It is paid in full.”
The only question that remains is if you will you accept His offer?
The negotiations are over. The ransom price is paid. Only one question remains. Will you receive Him by faith as your ransom, as your Savior and as Lord?
“For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
Romans 10:13
By Pastor Tim Mattox
Paphos Calvary Chapel, www.calvarycyprus.com
