Redeemed!

“On the way to Jerusalem [Jesus] was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.  And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.’” (Luke 17: 11-13)

 I love the book of Ruth. It is a story with rich characters, high drama, loyalty, love, and redemption.  A marvelous tenor sang “Whither Thou Goest,” at our wedding. The song, written by Guy Singer in 1954, quotes the words from the Scripture text “Whither thou goest I will go, whither thou lodgest I will lodge. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.” (Ruth 1: 16, KJV).^[1]

Dr. Bill Creasy begins his teaching of the book of Ruth by translating the story character and place names from Hebrew into English. For example, Elimelech and his wife, Naomi and their two sons, Mahlon and Chillion, from Bethlehem in Judah moved to Moab, where Mahlon married Ruth, and died, is roughly translated as follows: God is my King and Mary Sunshine, and their two sons, Sickly and Puny, from the House of Bread and Praise, moved to Moab. Sickly married Audrey Hepburn and died. 

 Ruth’s vow after Mahlon’s death, to leave her own family, to stay with Naomi, and to travel with her mother-in-law to a foreign land, is a story of amazing love and devotion.  Because of her determination to stay with her husband’s family, Ruth meets Boaz, their “Kinsman-Redeemer” in Bethlehem, who falls in love with her, and redeems their family property.  Through her marriage to Boaz, Ruth gives birth to a son, Obed, whose descendants are traced through Jesse and David to Jesus, our Redeemer. Ruth’s decision to return with Naomi resulted in her descendant being the Redeemer of the world.

A redeemer is one who saves or retrieves another.  Boaz was Ruth and Naomi’s Kinsman-Redeemer foreshadowing Jesus, our redeemer.  Paul reminds us that Jesus, who set us free, is a descendant of David: “Remember, Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel . . . (2 Timothy 2:8). David and Jesus were both descendants of Ruth.

As he redeemed the ten lepers from disease and death in this week’s gospel lesson (Luke 17: 11-14) so Jesus redeems us from our diseased lives and death, promising us eternal life with him.  The psalmist sings, “He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise” (Psalm 111:9-10). 

Ruth played a key role in God’s plan for salvation, yet during her lifetime, she wasn’t aware of that role. She followed Naomi to a foreign land because of her love for Naomi and her loyalty to her. She learned that the Israelite God would be with her wherever she went.  God rewarded her faithfulness and loyalty by placing her directly in Jesus’ lineage.

 Like Ruth, we are unaware of how God will fit together the bits and pieces of our lives into his plan, but we know that we are pieces in his puzzle that will fit together perfectly.  We are the redeemed who should be forever grateful to the one who made it possible.  He assures us “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for (Jeremiah 29:11 Good News Translation).

Prayer:  “Use me, my Savior, for whatever purpose and in whatever way you may require. Here is my poor heart, an empty vessel; fill it with your grace. Here is my sinful and troubled soul; quicken it and refresh it with your love. Take my heart for your abode, my mouth to spread the glory of your name, my love and all of my powers for the advancement of your believing people . . . Amen” Dwight Moody (1837-1899)

Diane Cieslikowski Reagan

^[1] The Scripture texts for the Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost are Psalm 111:10; Ruth 1:1-19a; 2 Timothy 2: 1-13; Luke 17:  11-19.