5/15/2020 0 Comments Redeemer - JesusBoth Matthew and Luke make a point of telling us about Jesus’ lineage. Part of the story of the red thread of redemption is about the family of Jesus, with all of his ancestors’ imperfections. Jesus fulfilled all the promises of the Old Testament and especially those made to his ancestors. He never ignored the unique place given to the Jews, the people of God; instead, he did something remarkable: He extended membership in God’s family to anyone who wanted it. He embodied the role of kinsman-redeemer completely and offered his protection, restoration and deliverance to everyone. Adoption into a family is the best metaphor for how all Jesus followers should view themselves.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do you dare to think of yourself as a brother or sister to Jesus, or does that feel like elevating your status too much sometimes? 2. What could you do to make it easier to visualize that you really are a son or daughter of God? Challenge: Let’s pray together for the redemption of the pandemic situation. God redeems us in individual and specific ways, so besides praying for healing, we can pray for individuals we know who need Jesus to find him … and that whenever possible, others can see him through our faithfulness.
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5/14/2020 0 Comments Redeemer - NaomiNaomi’s faithfulness also was key to redeeming her situation, along with Ruth. Naomi did not want to be a burden on her daughters-in-law, but once she saw how determined Ruth was to go with her, Naomi’s knowledge of how Hebrew law provided for redemption was key to bringing about restoration for her family. She also was a shrewd judge of character when it came to Boaz: “The man won’t rest until he has settled things today,” she said (Ruth 3:18). In that culture, she herself was unable to work to bring about the desired result; like her ancestor Sarah, she had no hope herself of bearing a son. But not only did she end up holding a precious baby, Obed, in her arms, she became by extension the great-grandmother of King David, and Jesus was her descendant.
Questions for further thought: 1. Have you ever been in a situation where no hope of a good outcome seemed possible? 2. What unexpected joy has Jesus brought into your life? Challenge: Pray to have patience, faithfulness and wisdom like Naomi to wait for the good things that God restores and redeems. 5/13/2020 0 Comments Redeemer - RuthRuth’s words to her mother-in-law are some of the most famous in the Bible. As far as Ruth knew, the path ahead would be one of poverty and hardship. She had no way of knowing that redemption was in store. Naomi even urged her to turn back! We know how the story ends, so we can see Ruth’s faithfulness was rewarded. Her acceptance of Naomi’s God is a great example for Christians, because like Ruth, very few of us are Jewish. Like Rahab, who was not only a foreigner but a prostitute, Ruth becomes one of Jesus’ ancestors. These women are an example of how God is willing to adopt those who are faithful no matter what their background might be.
Questions for further thought: 1. Is there any cultural group that you think of as not being very likely to be adopted into God’s family? How can you make it more likely for them to learn about Jesus? 2. In what ways have you shown your faithfulness to God like Ruth did? Challenge: Pick some aspect of being faithful as a Jesus follower that is more challenging for you (reading the Bible, prayer, generosity) and deliberately practice it this week. 5/12/2020 0 Comments Redeemer - BoazThe specific noun “kinsman-redeemer” is used seven times in the Old Testament, all in the book of Ruth and all referring to Boaz (according to BibleStudyTools.com). So Boaz is the prime example of what a redeemer should be. First of all, he obviously cares about his workers and observes them. He notices there is someone new gleaning behind his workers (Ruth) and takes the trouble to find out more about her, even before he knows for sure she is the one he has heard about helping her mother-in-law. Second, he rewards Ruth’s faithfulness to Naomi in small ways by feeding her and letting her glean extra barley, even before her big ask (for him to be the kinsman-redeemer). Third, he fulfills the role of kinsman-redeemer even when it gains him nothing … the child born to Ruth won’t be his heir, but the heir of Naomi’s family.
Questions for further thought: 1. Taking care of family members can be one of the most frustrating jobs. Can you think of a time a family member took care of you in some way that showed the spirit of being a true kinsman-redeemer? 2. What about you? Have you been faithful as a kinsman-redeemer in some way, however small? Challenge: Observe your family during this disruptive time and find a way to be a redeemer. 5/11/2020 0 Comments Redeemer - The HistoryAccording to BibleStudyTools.com, the Hebrew verb that is the root for “redeemer” and “kinsman redeemer,” ga’al, is found in more than 100 Old Testament verses. A faithful redeemer is someone who “delivers or rescues (Gen 48:16; Exod 6:6); redeems property (Lev 27:9–25) or person (Lev 25:47–55); avenges the murder of a relative as a guiltless executioner (Num 35:9–34); and receives restitution for wrong done to a relative who has since died (Num 5:8).”
In Genesis 48:16, Jacob names God as his redeemer and calls for his blessing on Joseph’s sons. From the beginning, there has always been a strong family component to the idea of God as redeemer, with God as the Father and the rest of us as His children, requiring His blessing and aid to experience redemption. Questions for further thought: 1. Write out in your own words exactly what it means to have God as your savior/redeemer. 2. In addition to salvation, in what ways has God specifically redeemed you? Challenge: In your prayers this week, take time to address God as your Redeemer, the one who lifts you up. 5/8/2020 0 Comments Choose LifeThe Lord asks us all to make the choice between life and death. This is a battle we all face - serve God or reject God. And it is truly a daily battle. Turning from God leads to life and turning from God leads to death in the present life and in eternity.
Questions for further thought: 1. Which do you choose? 2. Have you chosen? Challenge: It is never too late to turn to God in this life, but it needs to be done in this life. Do not lay down to sleep tonight until you make amends with God. No one is guaranteed a tomorrow. Thank Him for redeeming you. Ask for forgiveness for past sins and turn from them in the future. Nothing you have done makes this impossible. 5/7/2020 0 Comments PassoverThe blood of the Passover lamb in Egypt foreshadows the blood Jesus shed on the cross. When Moses instructed the Israelites in blood sacrifices that the Lord had commanded, he used the blood of animals for the atonement of sin (Hebrews 9:19-22) When Christ shed His blood on the cross, a new covenant was established between God and man. Christ's shed blood would atone for the sins of the people of the world once and for all (Hebrews 9:12-14).
Questions for further thought: 1. Have you put your trust in Jesus' work on the Cross? 2. Have you asked Him into your heart? Challenge: Thank Jesus for His sacrifice and hold on to His promise of eternal life to those who love and trust Him. Love God and serve others out of gratitude for what He has done. 5/6/2020 0 Comments I Am"Yaweh" comes from the Hebrew word for "I Am". God is using this name to remind Moses of His unchanging nature and of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God keeps His promises. He never fails in protecting and saving those He loves.
Questions for further thought: 1. What promises has God made to you? 2. Do you believe He will keep them? Challenge: Review the promises of God to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), Isaac (Genesis 26:2-5), and Jacob (Genesis 28:13-15). Then review God's promise to you in John 3:16. 5/5/2020 0 Comments Never AgainNoah and his family had finally emerged from the Ark after the flood, which had effectively wiped the earth of all living things except Noah, his family, and the animals carried on the ark. The first thing Noah did after leaving the ark was to build a fire and sacrifice an animal to God. God was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice and vowed to never again cause the demise of all living things. God loves us despite our bent towards evil and devised a way for us to be worthy to stand in his presence.
Questions for further thought: 1. Are you aware of that plan? 2. What will you do to be part of that plan? Challenge: Send up a pleasing aroma (prayer) to God. Thank Him for His love and grace and mercy. Ask for His forgiveness and live in it. 5/4/2020 0 Comments ProphecyWhen most Christians think of a redeemer, they think immediately of Jesus Christ. Isaiah did not yet know the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. But Isaiah gives a very precise picture that this messiah would indeed be the one to carry out the redemption plan and would be the one upon whom God would lay the sins of the world. Isaiah recognized God the Father as the "Redeemer from everlasting."
Questions for further thought: 1. Are you in need of redemption? 2. How do you know? Challenge: God created us. He knows us well. We all need redemption and He has a plan for that. Thank Jesus for suffering for our redemption. If you haven't accepted that gift, do it today. |
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