The Thoughts of Wesley son of Cornelius

"If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull must be stoned to death, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible. If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up and it kills a man or woman, the bull must be stoned and the owner also must be put to death. However, if payment is demanded of him, he may redeem his life by paying whatever is demanded." (Exodus 21:28-30 NIV)

"...you shall select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, that the manslayer who has killed any person unintentionally may flee there. ... If he [manslayer] struck him down with an iron object ... struck him down with a stone in the hand ... struck him with a wooden object in the hand, by which he might die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. The blood avenger (goel) himself shall put the murderer to death; he shall put him to death when he meets him." (Numbers 35:11,16a, 17a, 18,19 NASB)

Jesus redeems us by "paying whatever is demanded." We are--I am-- guilty of unintentional and intentional sins. Therefore, I should be put to death. Nevertheless, I flee to the "city of refuge," that is God himself. But I have just run straight to where one would logically avoid. I have fled to God, the blood avenger, who justly requires death. However, Jesus steps in and claims my innocence! But how? I am not innocent! I am guilty! Jesus, that is God himself, takes on the punishment. "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." (Romans 4:25) A price must be paid. The Price was paid.