But Ruth said, “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people; and your God, my God.”    Ruth 1:16 NKJV

If this verse sounds familiar, it is because you’ve probably heard it used in a wedding ceremony. The book of Ruth is a beautiful story of love and devotion. It’s a story of a beautiful young woman who goes from rags to riches as she cares for her mother-in-law. It’s a story of her mother-in-law who goes from despair to hope because of a kinsman redeemer.

While this beautiful love story which shows how this young foreigner whose people were enemies to the Israelites ends up married to a wealthy Israelite farmer and gives birth to a child who is in the genealogy of King David and Jesus Christ, it also reminds us of Christ’ redemption of us.

In his commentary, Warren Wiersbe explains the three things required to be a kinsman redeemer and how Christ redeems us. The first requirement of the redeemer was that he had to be a close relative. While Boaz took notice of Ruth and protected her while she came into the field to glean wheat, Ruth went to him to ask him to take her under his wing (Ruth 3:9).

Jesus is here for us. We have to draw near to Him and accept Him as our Savior. We have to enter into a close relationship with Him. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. Romans 8:15 says, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” And 1 John 3:1 says, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!”

Secondly, the kinsman must have the wealth or the resources available to purchase the land and take as his wife and provide for her the wife of the deceased relative. No amount of money can pay for our sins. We can only be ransomed by Jesus’ blood shed on the cross. Only Jesus has the means available to provide us with eternal life through Him. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.”

And last but not least, the redeemer must be willing to redeem the land and care for the widow. In the case of Ruth, the closest kinsman was unwilling to be the redeemer. This allowed Boaz, according to Mosaic law, to be the kinsman redeemer.

Are you willing to devote yourself to Christ as Ruth was willing to devote herself to her mother-in-law? Are you willing to follow wherever He leads. Are you willing to surround yourself with Christan fellowship even if that takes you out of your comfort zone for a bit? Are you willing to surrender yourself to Christ and give your life over to Him?

If so, He is more than willing to redeem you from a life of bondage to sin. He is willing to provide the way for you to have eternal life. He will give you hope in the midst of despair. He has a mansion prepared for you in heaven. If you will just follow Him.

Have a great day!