Near of Kin

It is the Christmas season and we study the book of Ruth.  All through the story I see the reason for the season.  The depth of God’s love is written in every line.  For just like Naomi and Ruth I need a kinsman-redeemer. 

In the study Kelly Minter highlights three aspects of the kinsman-redeemer…

they must be near of kin
they must be able to redeem
they must be willing to redeem.

On Sunday I share lunch with a friend and afterwards we talk about how Jesus took on humanity.  How in order for us to be delivered from sin God had to send someone who was fully human, not just fully God.  How does God become human? We marvel at the love, the power, the mercy of God that is beyond our understanding. 

On Monday I think how in a manger lies a baby who will grow and become my kinsman-redeemer.  I read Kelly’s words and they jump off the page for me…“we were given a Redeemer who left heaven and was made like one of us in human flesh because we needed a Savior who was near of kin.”¹ 

Kelly encourages to read Hebrews 2:14 and I can’t just stop reading there.  I read to the end of the chapter.  The miracle of Christmas is written in these words as well. 

“Since the children have flesh and blood he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery to the fear of death…..For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might be made a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.”  Hebrews 2:14-15, 17

From the legacy of Ruth and Boaz came The One who by becoming a baby, taking on flesh and blood, became like me in every way.  Jesus became my near of kin.  His coming, his life, showed that Jesus was willing to redeem.  Jesus death and resurrection proved that he was able to redeem.

Father, thank you for a Redeemer who is like me and yet unlike me.  Jesus I am grateful that you came and accomplished for me everything that I was powerless to do on my own.  Spirit of God, help me to always have a willing heart to serve you.

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¹ Ruth: Loss, Love, & Legacy, Kelly Minter, p. 125