The Goat Meat Seller and the Gospel — A Reflection on Ransom and Redemption

There’s this man I always buy goat meat from. Nothing else, just goat meat. That’s how he came to know me. I live far from where he sells, but anytime I want goat meat, especially the head, I go to his place.

One day, I bought some caps from a vendor, which was just a stone’s throw from the meat seller. I paid via transfer, but the vendor insisted he hadn’t received the credit alert. I tried explaining that I used Opay for the transaction and had gone through. I told him the delay was likely from his bank. He refused to believe me.

I offered to drop my number and told him to call me if he didn’t get the alert in 30 minutes. I even said I’d resend the money if needed. Still, he refused. It was getting late, and I didn’t want to leave without resolving the issue.

Then I remembered the goat meat seller wasn’t far from me. I asked the cap vendor to follow me there, hoping the man could vouch for me. When we got to his shop, I explained the situation.

What he did next shocked me.

He looked at the cap vendor and said, “Let him go. If you don’t get the credit alert tonight, I’ll pay for everything.”

I stood there, stunned.

This man doesn’t know anyone related to me. I only buy goat meat from him, not even regularly. I live in Orozo, and his shop is in Nyanya. That’s a significant distance. Yet, he stood as a surety for me, willing to be a ransom in my place.

On my way home, I kept thinking about what had just happened. Then my phone rang, it was the cap vendor confirming he had received the credit alert.

The goat meat seller’s action saved me 30 minutes of waiting, or worse, losing the caps entirely.

But more than that, it reminded me of a familiar story in the Bible, the story of God, man, and Jesus.

He Took Our Place

Just like that goat meat seller stood in for me, Jesus stood in for us.

We didn’t know Him.
We didn’t deserve Him.
Yet He chose us.

He became a ransom for our sins.
He died in our place.
He went to hell and back for us.
He paid the debt in full.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:45

Without Jesus, we are eternally lost.
But through His blood, we are redeemed.
And when you accept Him, you become part of His family.

Do you know He still intercedes for us daily before the Father?

“Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” — Hebrews 7:25

Don’t Let His Death Be in Vain

Jesus didn’t just die — He died for you.
He didn’t just suffer — He suffered in your place.
He didn’t just rise — He rose so you could live.

If you’ve never made peace with God or you feel distant from Him, this is your moment.

Say this prayer sincerely:

Father, I come to You today as a sinner. I acknowledge my wrongs and ask for your mercy. I believe that Jesus died for me and rose again. I accept Him as my personal Lord and Saviour. Help me to live for You. Fill me with Your Spirit. I am Yours, now and forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the greatest family on earth, God’s family.