Jesus: The Angel Who Never Stops Redeeming

"The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth." (Genesis 48: 16)

Throughout the Old Testament, readers will find wonderful types and shadows of our Lord Jesus Christ. The pictures of law and grace, our Lord saving His people, and all of us, and the true nature of God: loving, merciful, seeking to redeem and restore.

In the above passage, Jacob - the deceiver, cheater, supplanter - gives all glory to the LORD, and remarks on "The Angel" who saved him from  many troubles.

When does this Angel first appear in Jacob's life?

"And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 29And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." (Genesis 32: 24-30)

Jacob wrestled, showing his initial nature as a grabber, trying to get and fight for everything.

God brought him to complete weakness, forcing him to beg for blessings.

So many of us are determined to fight for everything in our lives. Jesus came to die for us and as us, to redeem us from death to life, and grant us all things through Himself:

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 31-34)

Jesus - our Messenger of righteousness - redeems us all the time, not because of our goodness, but because of the goodness of God our Father.