Christ the King and the New Vision
One day Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for…” “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. (Ruth 3:1,5)
When you meet the Redeemer, you immediately get a new vision. Remember the hopelessness of Naomi when she logically justified why Ruth must go back to her Moabite people; at that time Naomi’s blindness was because she only looked to herself, and exclaimed,
‘Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me – even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons – would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD's hand has turned against me!’ (Ruth 1:1-13)
Naomi was really bleak about the future, and that emotional speech broke the girls’ hearts and they wept, and Orpah turned and went back to Moab. Although Ruth clung, Naomi’s vision was still blurred; she preferred to be called a bitter name and her expectation was to eat left-overs gathered by her alien daughter-in-law.
Turning Point: But when Naomi heard about Boaz and his graciousness to Ruth at their first encounter in the field, hope started rising; the future started taking shape – both for her and for Ruth. Her new vision would finally crystallize in this redeemer, and then she gave Ruth the sustainable long-term plan for her future, settled in family. Naomi’s plan to find a home for Ruth was welcomed and it worked excellently. The new vision pursued, delivered all its objectives and much more.
Boaz was the kinsman-redeemer or guardian-redeemer according to the Jewish customs. Boaz is a shadow of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who has his arms open wide to receive her bride the Church – the people of God. Like Naomi, some people look to themselves for redemption, and find no hope. But when you lift your eyes and look to the Redeemer, hope is restored – for welfare today and a bright future.
When you behold him as Redeemer, Christ the King, what shall be your response? At the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, ‘people spread their cloaks on the road… disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices’. You have not fully gained the new vision until you respond by accepting, believing in and trusting yourself to the Redeemer, as well as continually offering your worship to Him. In this Advent season, remember: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” When he comes, it will be a perfect vision – we shall behold Him and live with Him forever.
God bless you all.