Nougat 11

On this third Sunday of Advent, we focus on Joy. Please receive today’s Holy Nougat.

Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness. Isaiah 51:11 NLT

Despite one’s views on the matter, the USA and Russia’s negotiations on a prisoner swap headlined and has been trending for the last couple of days. As usual, there are those who feel ot was unwarranted, and others who feel vindicated. What I’m focusing on however is the actual swap. Operatively, Russia and the USA are enemies. And for the American to be released, a Russian had to be freed. In this instance, despite the high publicity, both prisoners could be seen as mere pawns in the high stakes political chess game.

Some millenia ago, there was a similarish swap. Except One of the swapped was not a prisoner. In fact, He was an integral part of the political leadership on the one side of the negotiations. And, as a Free Man being exchanged in return for the guilty, He became a Ransom (or bail bond). This wasn’t something that has ever been repeated in quite the same manner before or since.

What sweetened the deal is that the swap wasn’t quite a swap. It was more of a jailbreak! Yes, really. Think about it for a minute (or more). In dying, our Ransom – Jesus – went directly to Hell to ensure that we each could be released, then came out of Hell to prove we really don’tbhave to stay there. He knowingly became human that we all could be released from the prisons of poor choices, depression, rejection, displacement, abuse and all sins we committed.

The catch you ask?

Yes, there is a catch – there’s always a catch. It is that we believe that we were sprung from eternal damnation – due to our poor choices and sins – by Jesus, the Son of God. That’s it. Take Him or leave him. He is not only our peace, He is our eternal Joy! Time to sing folks. Time to praise!

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May all we seek be found in Christ