Redeeming Love - Studies in the Book of Ruth
12 - The Cost of Redemption
In our last study we noticed some of the qualifications of the kinsman-redeemer. He must be a relative, able and willing to redeem the property of the deceased. We have seen that Boaz was both able and willing to act in this way on behalf of Naomi and Ruth. We discovered that this honourable man is, in the way he acted, a picture of the believer’s great kinsman-redeemer, our Lord Jesus Christ. In Him the eternal Word became flesh and was found in the likeness of men. He became related to us in that He identified Himself with the human race. He showed his ability to redeem by living a perfect, sinless life, and by dying the perfect death for our sins on the cross. He came to this sin-sick world willing to save us. In the Lord Jesus Christ we have the only one who was qualified to be our Redeemer.
We continue now to look at some more qualifications of the kinsman-redeemer as seen in Boaz. As the kinsman-redeemer he must pay the cost required for the redemption of his dead relative’s property. A promise to pay was not enough he must take action and make the necessary payment. Often we here it said that salvation is a free gift, and of course it is. It did not cost you and me anything, but that does not mean that our redemption was not costly. There was a cost to be paid for our redemption from sin and that cost was paid by God’s own beloved Son. “God spared not his own Son but delivered Him up for us all”. (Romans 8 verse 32) We read those wonderful words in John chapter three verse sixteen, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes (places their faith) in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”. There was a price to pay to deliver you and me from the penalty and power off sin and from the kingdom of Satan. That cost was the life of our kinsman-redeemer.
Don and Carol Richardson were missionaries working with a head-hunting tribe in New Guinea. At that time the tribe viewed cannibalism and treachery as virtues. They even considered Judas, who betrayed Jesus, as a greater hero than Jesus himself. Don felt that there was no way to reach them with the Gospel message in a way that they would understand. Then there was warfare between the tribe and a neighbouring one. It was so bad that the Richardsons decided it was time to move on. As it happened the tribe had grown fond of them and were sad when they thought that they might lose them. This caused them to want to make peace with their neighbours. The tribes followed a traditional peace ritual that involved the exchange of children. As long as the children remained alive, the peace between the tribes would continue. Mothers in the tribes were filled with anguish at the thought of the loss of their children. The chief decided that rather than the mothers lose their own children he would take his own son and give it to the other tribe. In doing this he was actually giving his tribe to his enemies. The neighbouring tribe did the same and so peace came to both sides. The missionaries saw their opportunity. They realised that they had the perfect picture for getting the message of the Gospel across to the people. They gathered the tribal elders together, and told them how God, the heavenly Father, sent his Son Jesus to earth as his peace child to make peace between God and man. The tribe understood at last and many accepted Christ and were saved.
The Lord Jesus was fully aware of what it would cost Him to become the Redeemer of sinners. He knew that there lay ahead of Him all the physical and spiritual agony of the cross. In the Garden of Gethsemane he prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will”. (Matthew chapter 26 verse 39) The Lord Jesus faced the cross, and willingly went to Calvary to pay the cost so that we could be set free. He paid the correct price for our sins. The Bible teaches us that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. (Hebrew chapter 9 verse 22). The full cost was paid by the shedding of Christ’s blood - the giving of his life - on the cross. Have you realised just how much God loves you? Have you ever realised just how much it cost Him in sending his Son to be your Saviour? Have you asked Him to forgive you all your sins? Is there peace between you and God? Have you come to Jesus Christ in true repentance for your sins and found cleansing through faith in Him?
Not only was the kinsman-redeemer responsible for paying the purchase price of the family property, he must also be willing to become responsible for the well-being of those family members involved. In Boaz’s case, for Naomi and Ruth. Boaz paid the price for the redemption of Elimelech’s land and family. He now also had the responsibility of looking after them on a daily basis. The “kinsman-redeemer package” was instant purchase with ongoing protection. Christ’s redeeming love goes beyond his death on the cross. The cross certainly shows us the depth of his love for us. In Romans chapter eight verse thirty-two the apostle Paul writes these encouraging words, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all - how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?” You can be sure of this, that your Saviour Jesus Christ will care for you throughout the coming days. You belong to Him and He has committed Himself to you and to your welfare in the end. Your well-being is his main concern. He has promised to meet your need, whatever that might be. In Hebrews chapter thirteen verses five and six we read, “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’. So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid’”.
Two Christians were walking past a farm. There was a weather vane on top of it with the words, “God is love”. That’s a strange place to put those words”, said one of the friends, “God’s love is not forever changing like the wind”. The other friend replied, “No, I think you have misunderstood it. The sign is saying that regardless of which way the wind blows, God is love”. You can be certain that in all the changing directions of the wind of your life’s experiences, God loves you and your kinsman-redeemer will always care for you because He is well qualified to do so.