`REDEEMED AT A PRICE'

Simon Leger threw his pen on the table as he looked out at his cotton plantation, muttering angrily at his financial loss. As he struck his clenched fist on his account books, he knocked a glass of water which shattered on the floor.

Leger yelled for Silva, his slave. ‘ Come at once. Clear this mess,’ he demanded, striking her shoulder. She quivered at the blow, while bending to collect the glass fragments.

‘Hurry girl,’ and Leger struck another blow at Silva’s arm, forcing her hand on the broken glass, and blood oozed from the cut. Lacking compassion, Leger shouted, ‘ You lazy girl,’ as she pulled a ragged, clean cloth from her pocket, and wiped away the blood.

Beautiful Silva with her dark skin and shining hair always dressed neatly and tidily, despite Leger’s constant demands. As well the plantation slaves loved the kind, compassionate, gentle, patient girl. Leger recognised her value, too, despite his brutality as her master.

Nevertheless, his dire financial position necessitated selling some of his slaves, including Silva. Often the slave owners boasted of their slaves. Still, Silva should bring a good price at the market. Perhaps $1 000.

However, without warning, one morning Leger ordered a shocked Silva to gather her belongings, and proceed to the front driveway. Silva hastily gathered her two cotton dresses, a comb, together with sandals and a few personal items, which she rolled into a bundle, and wrapped with a faded colourful scarf. Shaking with fear, she hurried to the front of the house to join the other slaves, who were already herded into a group. Overseers roughly pushed the eight, nervous, terrified girls into the wagon. Like frightened birds they cowered, especially as Leger cracked the whip over their heads. He then climbed into the high seat, flicked his leather-pronged whip over the horses’ backs, as they cantered along the road.

The car rocked and bumped along the uneven road. Leger whipped the horses to a gallop, while the younger slaves cried, as they rolled from side to side on the rough floor. The older ones stiffened to restrain their emotions lest they discourage the younger girls.

Silva sighed as the wagon eventually slowed and stopped by the Slave Market in the city square, while deep moans rose from the girls. ‘We are to be sold.’ Silva’s heart thumped with fear, as she cringed from the leering, sensual faces of the traders, and Leger flicked his whip on each slave’s back as she stumbled from the wagon.

While lothe to sell his valuable slave, he cursed, and aimed a final sharp blow at Silva’s slim body.

Immediately the Auction clerk pushed the slaves up the rough, splintery steps to the platform, as the traders moved closer. They laughed and humiliated the girls with their rough, uncouth language. The auction dragged on in the hot sun, as one by one the girls were claimed by their new owners. Silva alone remained unsold.

‘Who will buy me?’ Silva shuddered at the memory of Leger’s inhumane cruelty. The bidding began. She cringed as the bids went higher, until the owners, with memories of crop failures, stopped bidding. Would she be returned to the cruel Leger?

Suddenly above the noise a voice rang out, ‘I’ll pay $2 000 for Silva.’ The rough crowd gasped. Who could match that offer!

Speedily the auctioneer settled the deal as the money changed hands. ‘Paid for,’ he shouted and Silva became the property of Worthyson. He beckoned her down from the slave’s platform, and placed her in the care of his gentle wife. The lady held Silva’s arm and led her to their wagon, with a comfortable seat, away from the Auction’s tension.

Silva pondered the high price to release her from her cruel master, which shocked Leger and his fellow traders.

‘You fool to pay so much for a worthless slave,’ shouted the derisive Leger, who eagerly fingered the money paid by Worthyson.

‘Ah, ‘he said, ‘My father owns houses, and cattle and gold. I bought Silva to free her from your cruel clutches, and make her one of my family.’

Leger stormed away, kicking at a stone. At least he had Worthyson’s slave money in his pocket. Unfortunately, on his journey home he angrily whipped the horses so mercilessly that they stumbled and overturned the waggon. As he fell, Leger injured his back, and the slave money became the payment for the doctor’s bills, and repairs for the waggon.

Worthyson and his wife drove Silva to their home, where they led her to a cosy room with colourful curtains, a comfortable bed, and a new garment.

‘Silva, you are no longer a slave. I set you free, and you are now part of our family.’

Silva kneeled down before her new master, as tears ran down her dark, shiny cheeks.

‘Oh, sir, you have rescued and released me from a cruel master , and paid such a great price. I do not deserve your mercy. I cannot believe that I am free.. Oh, thank you. Thank you. I will love and serve you all my life.’

The Lord Jesus Christ released us from Satan’s slave market, when He, the worthy Son of God paid the high redemption price. He carried our sins in His own body on the cross. God raised Him to life, and He now sits at God’s right hand, always praying for us.

The Lord Jesus Christ came to Redeem us – to pay the price for us as sinners, and free us from the slavery of sin and Satan. We are given the privilege of becoming God’s children, and part of His family.

He gave us the gift of eternal life, and faith to trust Him, with a heart to love and serve Him all our days.

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