Hebrews 2:14-18 ESV

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

A PROPITIATION FOR THE SINS OF THE PEOPLE.

He [Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. [1 John 2:1] That is, Jesus is the appeasement or satisfaction, specifically toward God. Propitiation is a two-part act that involves appeasing the wrath of an offended person and being reconciled to him.

Thus, he became man like us. As v 14 and 15 says, “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

Our sins result to bondage. The Lord allowed the devil to master us like Pharaoh who masters the Jews in Egypt. We need deliverance from the grip of Satan, sin, death and hell, don’t we. Yet, we recognize that all these are expressions of God’s wrath to sinful man.

But God loves us, doesn’t He? [John 3:16] How could He punish those who He loves? That is why He gave Jesus to be born like us in order to have a body to sacrifice at the cross. The reason He shouted at the cross, “ Tetelestai” [It is finished or completed ] God is appeased by Jesus’ sacrifice. At the cross, Jesus took our sin upon Himself. He paid the penalty for our sin. He became our substitute.

He did it not to the angels [demons are fallen angels] but to the ‘ offspring of Abraham”, that is those who believed God, for they are true offspring of Abraham. Paul said, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.”[Gal 3:28,29]

Thus today, if you and I are believers in Christ we may glory to say, “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! (Rom 5:9). We are saved from God’s wrath for Jesus has received it from God in our stead.

His suffering at the cross has portrayed God’s wrath and mercy together; His love for us and his judgment against sin. On the cross, God condemned sin through His Son so that we will become His sons. This is the glad-happy message of the cross. Sin has been dealt with once and for all!

So we can sing today in our hearts,

‘Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live’

- From In Christ Alone by Stuart Townend

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Hebrews 2:10-13 ESV

10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying,

“I will tell of your name to my brothers;

in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

13 And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”

And again,

“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

HE CALLS US BROTHERS.

Jesus calls all who are sanctified [ set apart] as family. And, He is not ashamed. What a privilege!

Many years ago our practical theology teacher asked us, ‘What is the risk involve for Jesus calling us unto Himself?’ There I understood the weight of Jesus’ identification with us. Definitely, He would never shame us for He will never fail. However, we don’t live up often times to our name as Christians, do we? Thus, we affect His name and reputation.

We become members of His family once we are born again [John 3:3] Thus, we can call our God, “Abba”, which means our true and legal father. [Gal 4:4-6, Rom 8:16] He transforms us from the inside out through the power of the Spirit to become the persons we ought to be. [2 Cor 5:17]

He isn’t ashamed because His righteousness has been imputed unto us so that we appear blameless before God. [2 Cor 5 :21, Rom 10:3] And those who are real to Him do show their commitment to follow His will. Jesus said, “And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” [Mark 3:34,35] Spiritual relationships are sustained with time that physical relationships.

Thus today, do you consider yourself as Jesus’ brother or sister for not just having a mental exercise of ‘believing’? Have you surrendered to His lordship and that you are seeking to know and do His will in your life? Have you endeavored to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship; to not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” [Rom 12:1,2]

It’s one thing to claim that we belong to Him. It’s another thing to know that He claims us as His own. We are a family. Thus, our heavenly Father do desire that His children bear a family resemblance, and He gave us the perfect pattern in our big Brother, Jesus Christ.

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Hebrews 2:5-9 ESV

5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere,

“What is man, that you are mindful of him,

or the son of man, that you care for him?

7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels;

you have crowned him with glory and honor,

8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.”

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

JESUS WAS MADE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS.

Previously, we learn that Jesus is superior than the angels. And in a twist, He was declared as one ‘made lower than the angels’.

This simply means that Jesus has identified Himself with humanity by choosing to become one. Let us recall that God made man and had given him the authority to rule over the created world. Thus the ‘son of man’ title in v. 6 could refer to Adam. [ see also Psa 8:4]

But in verse 9, the author applied the title ‘son of man’ to Jesus. Definitely, this stresses the humanity of Jesus. In fact, He is called as the second Adam. Paul has declared, “Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” [1 Cor 15:45] Jesus is the Son of man (see Luke 19:10), who is to deliver mankind from death, through His cross, burial, and empty tomb.

On the other hand, the taking on a body did not in any way diminish the deity of Christ. Jesus never ceased to be God; He simply showed the meekness and condescension of God. “He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” [Phil 2:6,7]. Whatever the “emptying” entailed, Jesus remained fully God: “in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9).

When Jesus became human, He placed Himself in subjection to the Law (Galatians 4:4), became poor for our sakes (2 Corinthians 8:9) and came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).

In this good Friday, let’s reflect and be grateful for Jesus' humbling and subjecting Himself to the crucifixion of His flesh as the payment for our sins. This humble state though was but temporary, just “for a little while.” Three days later He rose from the grave. And He is exalted above all angels, and some day every knee will bow at His name and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9–11).

My dear friends and brethren, this day is really rightly called ‘Good Friday’ if we have received His grace of salvation by faith. We are the reason for His coming as a ‘little lower than the angels’. Thus to all believers, we can say, ‘we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.’ [Heb 10:10]

A blessed day to all.

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Hebrews 2:1-4 ESV

1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

A GREAT SALVATION.

Corresponding to the great privilege a man have is the degree of his accountability, isn’t it? Take for example, the gift of salvation. It’s a gift that everyone can receive freely. Thus, it carries with it the severest punishment if neglected.

The true gospel [as differentiated to the false] is a gift from God. In Chapter 1, we learned that Jesus, who is God Himself and superior than the angels. He is the God who became man so that we can see or know God. God took the initiative to reveal Himself to us in Christ.

Salvation as free gift is too good to be true. The only difference is that it’s true. That is why it is called ‘great’ salvation. As Paul had described, “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He was manifested in the flesh,

vindicated by the Spirit,

seen by angels,

proclaimed among the nations,

believed on in the world,

taken up in glory.”[1 Tim 3:16]

Now, Man must be careful not to miss this privilege. Simply put, man, having been offered by this privilege has become accountable. He could miss this great salvation by two things, namely, by being adrift [see v. 1] and by neglect [v.3]. We may miss this salvation by being carefree and not careful as a boat losing it grip and is carried by a strong current. Many today are adrift because of the cares of this world. [ see 1 John 2:15-17].

Or, they miss the salvation because they willfully neglectful. They know but they willfully reject. Take for example in the parable of the wedding feast. [see story in Matt 22:1-14] There was one guest who went into the banquet but did not wear the wedding garment like everyone else. The king asked him why and he couldn’t answer. Why? He has no reason. Everyone was offered and they take it except himself. He willfully neglected to receive it. “Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” [Matt 22:13,14] What a severe punishment, isn’t it?

Rejecting the greatest privilege, that is receiving Jesus for our salvation, entails the worst punishment. There is no escape like the neglectful guest. Be warned from what John said, that is, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” [John 3:36]

Having been unable to receive Jesus has the wrath of God as a damocles sword hanging over one’s head even right now. Thus, rightly we ask, “how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?”

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Hebrews 1:4-14 ESV

4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son,

today I have begotten you”

Or again,

“I will be to him a father,

and he shall be to me a son”?

6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God's angels worship him.”

7 Of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels winds,

and his ministers a flame of fire.”

8 But of the

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,

the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has anointed you

with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

10 And,

“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,

and the heavens are the work of your hands;

11 they will perish, but you remain;

they will all wear out like a garment,

12 like a robe you will roll them up,

like a garment they will be changed.

But you are the same,

and your years will have no end.

13 And to which of the angels has he ever said,

“Sit at my right hand

until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

JESUS IS GREATER THAN THE ANGELS.

Perhaps, there were popular teachings in the past that angels should be worshipped.[see Col 2;18] Undeniably, the angels are powerful spirits. But, are they greater than Jesus?

Scripture is quite clear that no one but God is to be worshiped. Even though angels are supernatural beings, they are not the Creator. They remain created beings, for God created “all things” (Eph. 3:9} Isn’t it an egregious error to worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator? (Rom. 1:24–25). Furthermore, in Scripture we also see instances in which someone tries to worship an angel sent by the Lord and is rebuked by the angel. In Rev. 1:8-9, for example, describes how John tried to worship the angel who brought him a message and vision from God, but the angel ordered him to worship the Lord alone (Rev. 1:8–9).

But, Did Jesus object when He was worshipped. He did not! [see Matt 14:33, 28:17, John 5:23, John 9:23]. Even, in this passage, in v. 6 & 8, ‘And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, 'Let all God's angels worship him. Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.'

Today, let’s exalt the Lord Jesus, especially in this Holy Week season. Yes, He died at the cross and was buried. but, He rose again to live forevermore. Let’s be reminded of Paul’s summary of Jesus’ deity and humanity. He said, “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [Phil 2:6-11]

Jesus is our God. Let's worship Him in our hearts, today.

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Hebrews 1:1-3 ESV

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

JESUS IS GOD REVEALED.

The book of Hebrews is the God the Father telling us what God the Son is all about. “If men cannot learn about God from the Son, no amount of prophetic voices or actions would convince them.” (Guthrie). Thus, we'll know God in Jesus.

In the past in diverse manners and occasions, God had revealed to mankind who God is through the prophets. But, in our times, the ultimate and the complete revelation of God is Jesus.

Didn’t John say,” And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”? [John 1:18] His glory wasn’t lesser than that of the Father. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature. [v.3] A blind man should not doubt the existence of the sun by the heat that it emits. Similarly, we will never see God as He is. But, should not doubt that He is for Jesus that the apostle John had known Him. [1 John 1:1-3]

In answering Philip’s question for Jesus to show the Father, Jesus pointed this truth about Himself quite bluntly. He said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? [John 14:8-10]

John had written, “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” [1 John 5:20] Is He not the God, we are waiting for? As Paul had said in Titus 2:13, we are "waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Thus today, we can know God because He has revealed Himself in Jesus. Otherwise, nobody won’t know Him. Thereby, we should pursue to know Him as the Savior. Although man will be judged by his sins, his ultimate condemnation couldn’t be blamed by his inability to save himself. It’s his refusal to believe in Jesus as a guy whose prison lock is opened wide but has refused to step out. “ John said, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” [John 3:18]

Jesus is the complete revelation of God to us. That is, He has given Himself to us in Jesus. And by receiving Jesus we relate with God personally. Have you received Jesus as your Savior and Lord as yet?

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Ruth 4:11-21 ESV

11 Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem, 12 and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman.”

13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. 17 And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

18 Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, 19 Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, 20 Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, 21 Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, 22 Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David.

THE RENOWN OFFSPRING.

The narrative ends at a high note. Indeed, with God, the end is better the beginning. [Ecc 7:10] God is in the business of mending lives.

Ruth, an unworthy Moabitess to stand at par as Rachel and Leah. Her decision to follow Naomi paid off. Was there any tangible benefits she was after? Nothing. Naomi was old, broke and felt bitter so that she discouraged her. Yet, her strong faith to Jehovah caused her to go to Bethlehem, the house of bread.

Naomi, on the other hand, had regained her life and composure. From Marah [bitter] to be Naomi [pleasant] once again. A complete turn around of her life. Earlier, as the women had exclaimed as they saw her arriving with Ruth in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Is this Naomi?’ Here, the same women had praised her, saying, ““Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”

Meanwhile, the single and rich Boaz, must not have been thinking that he will raise a family and that his name would be known in Bethlehem, more so in God’s prophetic plan. Who had thought that at one of his normal routines at the farm he will meet Ruth. And, this would transform his life and make history.

Boaz’s son Obed [servant] became the grandfather of King David, whose throne will be everlasting. This pertains to Jesus, the branch of David, who will establish His throne forever.[ 2 Samuel 7:12–16; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5–6]

God’s ways in fulfilling His purposes are inscrutable, are they not? His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. [Isa 55: 8,9] Hindsight is always the best sight. Somehow, you and I could be like Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. Nither that happens in and though our lives is incidental nor accidental. Everything is working for good for us who loves the Lord, that is, God is using everything for His glory. [Rom 8:28,29]

'Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord,

or who has been his counselor?”

“Or who has given a gift to him

that he might be repaid?”

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.' [Rom 11:33-36]

Ruth 4:7-12 ESV

7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel. 8 So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal. 9 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. 10 Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.” 11 Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem, 12 and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman.”

JUSTIFIED AND GLORIFIED.

This is almost a make-believe story. Ruth, the Moabitess, became the wife of a rich man, Boaz. In a public declaration, Boaz had expressed in details the condition of the transaction. He said, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.” [v.9.10]

Likewise, when Jesus was hanging at the cross, He shouted, “It is finished” [John 19:31]. A term which connotes that a debt is paid in full. That, there was no lack, but was complete. Thereby, it was satisfactory.

Like Ruth, every sinner who repents of his sins and believes on Jesus will receive complete forgiveness of his sins. ‘There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’ [Rom 8:1]

And as in every wedding, all the people and the elders did their well wishes. What was surprising is that they wished Ruth to be ‘like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel.’ [v.11] Ruth was like Rachel and Leah, who had left their father Laban to embrace the God of Jacob. They became the mother of the 12 patriarchs of Israel. Such honor might had not crossed in the minds of both Ruth and Naomi.

Similarly, Jesus doesn’t just deliver sinners from condemnation of sin. But, He glorifies them as well. Paul said, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” [Eph 2:4-6] In Rom 8:30, Paul added,” And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

He who justifies also glorifies us. Praise be the name of the Lord, today.

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Ruth 4:1-6 ESV

Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. 3 Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. 4 So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.” 5 Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.” 6 Then the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”

THE COSTLY DEAL.

Boaz was at the gate when the kinsman came by. He called the 10 elders and in their presence, he presented a proposal for him to redeem Naomi’s[Elimelech’s] estate. He said he was willing to do it.

But, Boaz also said that if he buys it of Naomi he also must buy of Ruth to raise up the name of the dead. There was no name left for the inheritance since father and two sons were all dead and no grandsons. Plain and simple, he must also marry Ruth and have children with her to proliferate Elimelech’s inheritance.

For such condition, he backed out of the deal for he thought it would endanger his own inheritance. Why?

He was worried that his children from Ruth (and anything they inherited) would be deemed illegitimate because Ruth was Moabite and the verse in Deuteronomy 23:3 says that a Moabite is out rightly not permitted to join the Israelites.

But, if Ruth should be seen as an Israelite widow and a worthy woman, the nearest kinsman perhaps could marry her. Thus, if Ruth had children with him later, it might endanger his present estate. Since, it would be divided between them and his present children. Furthermore, the redeemed estate will remain named after Ruth’s former husband Mahlon’s name and not become part of his estate. [see Lev 25:25-28] This must be too costly for him.

Boaz, however, he was willing to count the cost. Although he wasn’t Mahlon’s brother, he was willing to redeem Naomi’s property and marry Ruth in a levirate marriage. A thing he did solely because of His love, grace and mercy to Ruth and Naomi.

Similarly, Jesus was willing to count the cost for our redemption. We once ‘were dead in our trespasses and the uncircumcision of our flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.’ [Col 2:13-14] Paul said, “He made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” [2 Cor 5:21] In other words, Jesus was willing to be ill-reputed, even considered as a criminal [see Phil 2:5-8], just for us to receive the inheritance reserved by God for us.[1 Pet 1:4,5]

We lost all. Jesus paid all. We regain all.

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Ruth 3:14-18 ESV

14 So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city. 16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her, 17 saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’” 18 She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”

OVERFLOWING.

Boaz saw to it that Ruth had to leave the place wherein nobody knew. Should anyone had known, this could be a big scandal that will be in the front pages of Bethlehem news. A gentleman like Boaz will protect the reputation of a naive yet sincere lady like Ruth. Like Boaz, does not Jesus hide our shame before God? In fact, He took the shame at the cross for us so that we can appear righteous before the Holy God. [2 Cor 5:21]

Moreover, before Ruth had left, Boaz said to her, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’ This sounded too good to be true. For Boaz to consider himself as Ruth’s kinsman redeemer would be more than enough to her and Naomi. Yet, she went back home with 6 measures of barley [about 27 kg.]

The unexpected kindness of Boaz is the picture of Jesus’ overflowing goodness to mankind. His love to sinners like us is inexplainable. How could we describe Jesus’ love in dying for unworthy sinners like us? Paul said, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” [Rom 5:6-8]

You and I maybe are in a physical lockdown today. But, His grace and mercy unto us are not limited by space and distance, are they? Spiritually, let’s believe that “God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” [Eph 3:20] What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? [Rom 8:31,32]

God’s overflowing grace and mercies are just a prayer away. ‘Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.’[Jer 33:3] Simply put, let’s go to God in prayer bringing with us not with a small basket. Let’s approach Him with faith that He can do more than we ever ask or think. God wants us not to limit Him in our prayers today.

Today, let’s ask great things from God and for His glory.

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