Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Hope for a Redeemer
Bible Reading: Ruth 4:1-10)
Vs 8: So the Kinsman redeemer said to Boaz "Buy it yourself " and he removed the sandal.

DEVOTION

The word ‘Redemption’ is a scriptural theme that encompass the history of the world, starting from the fall of Lucifer in heaven to the second coming of Christ and the ‘New Earth’. Redemption spans the entire human history, began from Adam’s first breath in the garden of Eden to the final days of life on earth. It continues to narrate the lives of many kings who were crowned, and later deposed, many nations who stood high and later fell sadly, sparkling dynasties raised up and broken up into pieces, and leaders and even prophets who have fallen at certain points. Redemption is the story that covers it all, expressing God’s great LOVE for humanity and how He sent HIS SON JESUS to be the sacrifice for our sins
The story of Ruth and Boaz in the Bible teaches us about God's love, redemption, and faithfulness. It also shows how God uses ordinary people to accomplish His plan, in His own timelines. As we read Ruth Chapter 4, we realize that in God’s providence, God arranged for this meeting with perfect timing, which would encourage Boaz that his desire to marry Ruth, even though she was a Moabite, was approved by God and within His will for them. Ruth had totally committed herself to God and His people, His people were her people, and their God was her God, and she had demonstrated that fact through her actions in caring for Naomi, not just in words only. Because they both loved and obeyed God, they would not be unequally yoked, which would have been contrary to the will of God.
In verse 4:3, we read; He then said to the next-of-kin, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our kinsman Elimelech. The next-of-kin had the primary responsibility to care for the widows and orphans in the family. The law required that the next of kin marry a widow who had no children, so the name and property of the deceased could be maintained through their children in the name of the deceased. The Sadducees used this law in an argument against the resurrection when they questioned Jesus (see Matthew 22:23-33).
Today we see and hear a lot about people taking their own lives out of unmet needs of life, not shared with anyone else, including proper love and care. These incidents keep reminding us of our prime responsibility towards our ‘next of kins’ and other needy ones in the community, that we live.
God's love is 
God's love for all people, regardless of their circumstances.
It demonstrates how God commands people to care for the needy.
Redemption
The story of Ruth shows how God can turn a hopeless situation into something glorious. 
It encourages people to see their daily lives as part of God's plan for them.

PRAYER

 God, during this Lenten season, make us to rethink our relationship with you and people around us. Let us be sponsors and ambassadors of your great work of redemption.

Thought for the day

If I believe that God has redeemed me, am I following His footsteps to the extent that I display His love in my everyday life and actions? 


Dr. Eapen Daniel, Christos MTC, Philadelphia (eapen44@gmail.com).

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