The blessings that Jesus, God's Son, brings are closely related to those of the Father. They are gifts from the triune God.

Firstly, Jesus redeems us (Ephesians 1:7-8). The Greek word for ″redemption″ refers to the ransom paid to set slaves free. It is to buy an object or person so that he is not sold again. It sets free and delivers a helpless person from bondage. Jesus paid the price with His own blood, by giving Himself as the ransom for our forgiveness and freedom. This was made possible by ″the riches of God's grace″ (v. 7).

In Christ's sacrifice on the cross, we witness God's generous, self-sacrificing love for us. Who can grasp God's infinite wisdom and boundless mercy? We can only stand amazed at the lengths to which Jesus went to redeem us. Because of Him, we are adopted as God's sons (1:5), saved from our sins (2:5), raised up to be seated with Christ (2:6), given access to the Father (2:18), and counted as fellow citizens of God's people (2:19).

Secondly, Jesus reveals the mystery of God's will (vv. 9-10). He shows us God's mind. God's good pleasure and purpose is centred on Christ, for all history is the unfolding of God's plan to bring all things in heaven and earth under the headship of Christ (v. 10). This is where history is headed. We may not fully understand this, but we can fully believe it and experience the peace and reassurance that Christ will have the final word. In Him we are safe as part of God's wise and gracious eternal plan.

Thirdly, as God's only begotten Son, Jesus is the heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2). Because the Father has adopted us, making us Christ's brothers and sisters and God's children, we have become co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). He will share His eternal inheritance-His glory-with us.

Paul also used another metaphor to describe Christ's relationship with His church: He is the husband and the church is His bride (Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation 19:7-8). Again, this portrays how Jesus will share His inheritance with us. In fact-and amazingly-He will not claim His inheritance apart from us.

The purpose of our redemption and future inheritance is to the ″praise of his glory″ (Ephesians 1:12)-a phrase that concludes each section devoted to the blessings from the three Persons in the Trinity (vv. 6, 12, 14).