Thursday 16th July

I want to share a quick thought with you today. We know the name of Ruth, we know the name of Naomi, and we know the name of Boaz. But we do not know the name of this near kinsman. What an opportunity he missed. It was all well and good while it was to his advantage to acquire more property, but when Ruth was thrown into the deal, and Boaz knew it was coming, the bet was off. "No, I'm not going to do that. There is no gain for me here. There is no gain by marrying a foreigner, by marrying a gentile, by marrying one that has been outside of the camp. She brings nothing to the relationship. I will lose, and I will lose everything that I have." Boaz, on the other hand, accepts that lovingly because he's a man of compassion. He's a man that keeps the law. He's a man of integrity, and therein he becomes a type of Jesus Christ. (As mentioned yesterday).

 

Jesus does not want us for what we have. Because we have nothing. He does not choose us because of what He will gain by it because He gains nothing. In effect we were outside the camp and we were dead. But Jesus comes along and says, "Father, I know they're nothing. I know they're not a part of our family. I know they've been outside the camp, but I'm willing to to redeem them and I'm not worried about losing everything." Flip. That’s amazing.

 

And it’s more amazing when we know that Jesus did lose everything. He gave up everything. He gave up his glory and His seat in heaven (for a time) when He came down to walk on the earth. When he died he even lost his fathers pleasure for a time when God turned his face from him (Mk 15:34) And He had no shame in that. Because He considers us worth it.  But never forget that it cost Him. 

Forgiveness is free but it’s not cheap.

Until tomorrow.

PS.   For those of you in the know, Lily the Chihuahua has gone home. I'm relieved she was still alive when I handed her over, and even more relieved that I managed to escape without being seen walking it. Although I'm told there are several illicit photos around the 242 department ...