How Is God the Father Our Redeemer?

Doubtless You are our Father, though Abraham was ignorant of us and Israel does not acknowledge us, You oh Lord are our Father, our Redeemer from everlasting is Your name. (Isaiah 63:16)

Today’s big question: how is God the Father our Redeemer?

Whenever we think of the word “Redeemer” as a Christian, most of us would think of God the Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is our Redeemer. He came to this world and shed His blood for us so that through faith alone in Him alone we can be saved. It is Jesus who has redeemed us for the Father. He has taken the full brunt of the wrath of God as our great substitute (Romans 3:21–26). Jesus paid the ultimate price to redeem us for the Father, and this price is not just physical death, but also for God’s righteous wrath resulting from the infinite penalty for sins committed against an infinitely holy God.

Isaiah did not yet know the Messiah, but it is very clear as we read through the book of Isaiah that he knew of the Messiah. We only have to read Isaiah 53 to see that Isaiah was given a very clear picture that the Messiah would be the one on whom the Lord would lay the iniquities of us all (Isaiah 53:6). This gives us more insight into how Isaiah did not doubt the authority of the Father. In fact, Isaiah recognizes the Father as the “Redeemer from everlasting.”

The Apostle John tells us that we gain an understanding of true love when we see the redeeming authority of the Father. “In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

The Father’s redemptive authority is demonstrated by the fact that the plan of redemption, which is from the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:20). God’s amazing redemptive authority displays the nature of His unlimited love: He did not spare His own Son from bearing the full wrath required for the sins we have committed (Romans 8:32; Isaiah 53:6).

The very thought of redemption for humans so rich and deep is such that we could meditate upon it endlessly. As our great Redeemer, the Father displays His great authority in a plan that cannot be thwarted, conquers evil, and exhibits a faithfulness that gives confidence for eternal life with Him.

The Father’s redemption through the Son is the most overwhelming evidence for the authenticity of the Father’s authority. The price was paid. The Son was raised. And it was never in question.

Today’s big idea: how rich is the Father’s love for us, that He would send His only Son.

What to pray: ask God to show you His authoritative glory in the person of His Son.