Redemption is Coming

[The Midweek Encounter is a ministry of Encounter Church in Kentwood, MI. These posts are reflections on Sunday's message, which can be heard here each week: http://myencounterchurch.org/#/messages-media]

The book of Ruth starts off with Naomi and Elimelek moving out of Bethlehem to Moab to escape a famine. It’s made to sound like this was a temporary plan, yet we discover they lived there for about ten years--and though they escaped the famine, things didn’t go very well for the family in Moab. First, Elimelek died, then the two sons got married and they both died as well, leaving behind Orpah and Ruth as widows. 

With nothing else to do, Naomi moved back to Bethlehem. The idea of moving back “soon” did not come in the timeframe Naomi expected, nor did it look like she probably thought it would. When she moved to Moab, Naomi likely would not have guessed that her husband and both her sons would die there, and instead of returning to Moab with them, she returned with only her daughter-in-law--a Moabite foreigner. Rather understandably, I think, these events leave her bitter, wondering where God is and whether he even sees her. 

But, as Naomi finds out, her story was not done yet.

Ruth went and gathered in the fields, and Boaz showed her much kindness. Though we don’t know how much, some amount of time passed before Naomi made her plan of how Ruth would be taken care of after Naomi passed. 

When Ruth eventually went to Boaz, he had a choice. He could have refused Ruth’s suggestion of marrying her and therefore redeeming her and Naomi, he could have completely bypassed the closer relative who could have married Ruth and married her right away, or he could have consulted the closer relative and then followed through with his commitment to marry Ruth--which is what he did. It wasn’t the quickest or most convenient way, but the desired outcome was achieved: Ruth and Naomi were redeemed. 

The story ends with the women of the town saying to Naomi, “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer.” 

God was there. He saw Naomi, and he provided just what she needed--a redeemer. 

Which is just what we need, too. 

Ruth and Boaz’s son is Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David...whose descendants became the line of Jesus. Our redeemer. 

This season of Advent, of looking forward to Christmas, is a reminder of our own redemption. The book of Ruth is not the first thing that comes to mind when we think of Christmas, but it’s a beautiful picture of how all the books in the Bible fit together to create the broader story that’s at work. Already in the Old Testament, we see this theme: Redemption is coming. It may take longer than we expect or like, and it may look different than we anticipated. But it is coming. 

That’s the promise of Christmas, of the baby born in a manger--redemption is not only possible, it is coming. For those like Naomi, who find themselves weary and doubting, it is coming. For those who find themselves joyous and hopeful, it is coming. In ways big and small, expected and surprising: Redemption is coming. 

[Brianna DeWitt believes in Jesus, surrounding yourself with good people, and that desserts are best when they involve chocolate and peanut butter. She loves Christmas and can be found spreading Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear. You can read more of her musings on her own blog or follow her on Twitter @bwitt722.]

Of Sin and Baptism

[The Midweek Encounter is a ministry of Encounter Church in Kentwood, MI. These posts are a reflection on Sunday's message, which can be heard here each week: http://www.myencounterchurch.org/#/messages-media]

This past Sunday at Encounter, we heard a message about the sinful woman who anointed Jesus’ feet, as told in Luke 7. We also witnessed the baptism of baby Jack. While at first glance these are seemingly unrelated events, I think there’s more of a connection here than we may realize.

The “sinful woman,” who was likely a prostitute, was not an invited guest to the gathering Jesus was at. She had come in from the streets, standing along the edges of the room—and then, anointed Jesus’ feet with her tears and with perfume. This, a woman on the margins of society, paid honor to Jesus and treated him as he deserved.

Meanwhile, the owner of the house was a Pharisee, highly regarded in the religious community. This was a guy who had it all together. He knew all the rules, knew how to follow the religious laws and customs to the letter. While the Bible tells us what he said to himself as the woman began to wash Jesus' feet,  it doesn’t tell us how he looked at the woman. Considering his thoughts were, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner," I think we can imagine what his face might have looked like. Disgust and shock that she would dare do such a thing, and perhaps embarrassment that this was occurring at his gathering. Whatever his facial expressions were as this took place, I doubt they were friendly ones.

And yet, the story concludes with Jesus telling the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

For all his good behavior, the woman understood something he did not: Redemption doesn’t start with behavior. It starts with grace.

This sinful woman had done nothing to earn a good word from Jesus, and in fact had done many things that, in the eyes of the religious leaders of that day, should have disqualified her from God’s love. But Jesus shows that all the good deeds in the world would never be enough to save anyone.

At Encounter, most of the time when we have baptisms, they’re for babies. And each time, Pastor Dirk or Pastor Bryan tells us that it is a sign of God having the first word in our lives. When we see babies baptized, it’s a reminder that it is not within our power to earn God’s grace. It’s not a gift to be worked for; it’s a gift that can only be received. I think both the story of the sinful woman and the baptism of baby Jack are reminders that redemption doesn’t start with us or depend on what we can do for God, but on what God has done for us. 

[Brianna DeWitt believes in Jesus, surrounding yourself with good people, and that desserts are best when they involve chocolate and peanut butter. She also blogs at http://awritespot.wordpress.com and tweets at @bwitt722.]