Freed by Our Kinsman Redeemer

Verse of the day: Ruth 4:21-22, Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; 22 Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.

What a glorious ending to the Book of Ruth! I am sure many of you are thinking I must have lost my mind to think that ending this book with genealogy is a great ending. However, stop and think for just a moment. It is of great significance that the book ended with the genealogy of our Kinsman Redeemer (Matthew 1:1-17). In Revelation 22:16 Jesus said, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the Bright and Morning Star.” The end of the book is not where we first see a picture of Jesus as our Kinsman Redeemer. We see this throughout the book. In order for Boaz to be kinsman redeemer to Ruth, he must be a relative. Ruth was a relative through marriage. Jesus, born a Man and born a Jew qualified to be our Kinsman Redeemer, as we were grafted in (Romans 11). John 1:14 clearly tells us, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” Just as important is the fact that Jesus’ genealogy goes all the way back to Adam, from who we all came from, connecting us all to Jesus from a human standpoint (Luke 3:23-38). The Kinsman Redeemer would have to be perfect, and for this reason all of mankind is disqualified because we are all born sinners (Romans 3:23). Jesus, the only Man to born to woman that was, and is, perfect, was the only One who could go to the cross for us. Our Redeemer would also have to be God. Jesus was both God and Man. Like Boaz, Jesus redeemed us out of love for us. The close relative that we read of in chapter four agreed to be kinsman redeemer until he realized that he would have to also marry Ruth. Upon knowing this he declined the obligation. Boaz, out of love for Ruth, a Moabite woman, a stranger among the Israelites, agreed to be her kinsman redeemer if the close relative refused. Jesus had nothing to gain in redeeming us. Yet, because He loves us, He died for us (John 3:16). 1 John 2:2 says, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Ruth labored continually and was a slave to poverty. Boaz, the wealthy landowner redeemed her from her slavery and poverty. Jesus, the Owner of the universe has not only redeemed us, but freed us from bondage of sin and death. He released us from our old master the devil and we now have untold riches to inherit in heavenly places. We no longer have to needlessly toil to be free, as true freedom can only be found in Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” John 8:36 tells us, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” Now that we are free, we must resist the temptation be enslave ourselves to a life of sin all over again. Galatians 5:1 reminds us, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Just like Boaz redeemed Ruth and Naomi’s land, Jesus has redeemed us and will reclaim the earth from Satan, the prince of this world. The bottom line in all of this is that we have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). We belong to our Kinsman Redeemer. We were once poor slaves on the road to eternal condemnation, but if we have put our faith on, and called upon Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are redeemed and saved for all of eternity. Let us take the time today to praise God for His unmerited favor in Christ and let us live like we are redeemed and not like we are still slaves to the devil and under the bondage of sin and death. In Christ, our Kinsman Redeemer, we are completely free.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).