“Traveling with Ruth: Celebration” - Ruth 4: 1-17 Devo

April 30th, 2017

Devotional

“Traveling with Ruth: Celebration” - Ruth 4: 1-17

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Gone Up to the Gate” - Ruth 4: 1-2

In ancient times, the city gate was one of the most important structures that a city could have. It kept people safe at night, when the gates were closed. It welcomed people in to the city’s limits during the day, when the gate was open. It was a meeting place - where people gathered to talk about everything from the news to the weather and families and everything in between. It was also the place where matters of justice were handled, like what is happening in today’s passage with Boaz.

For years in the past, churches were seen as city gates - a gathering places of sorts. But just as the purpose of actual city gates have shifted, so has the place of the church. Some churches don’t fare this shift  well - insisting that they can recreate society as it once was. Others give up and simply focus on themselves and forget about those outside of their doors. But some churches are going to the new city gates, the new gathering places, and are forming relationships there for the sake of Jesus Christ. 

Where are some of the place in our community where people naturally gather and how can the church have a presence there for the glory of God?

What are some gathering places where you can go and form relationships with people? 

Prayer: Loving God, we thank you for the places where your people gather, but we also thank you that you send us out to the places where those who do not yet know you gather as well. Send us out, in the powerful name of Jesus, to these places to form life-changing relationships with folks, all for the sake of your name. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Redeemer” - Ruth 4: 3-6

Often when we hear the word “Redeemer” in church, we think of Jesus, who gave up his very life so that we could have life anew. However, a kinsman redeemer like that found in this passage in Ruth is a bit different. This is a male relative who had the ability to act on behalf of the family in times of trouble and need. In other words its a relative who offers rescue. 

However, this particular relative, the closest kin of Naomi, wants all of the reward and none of the responsibility of being the redeemer. He wanted the parcel of land, but not to take Ruth as his wife.

While we may not call it redeeming today, we can still offer help in times of trouble. When a neighbor cannot meet an electric bill. Or when a friend needs care after being in a hospital. Part of what we should be about as the body of Christ is offering help in times of trouble and need. Not just when there is a reward for us, but whenever we can reflect the light and purpose of Jesus Christ to serve. 

What are some of the ways that we can serve one another?

Tell of a time when you were on the receiving end of being served. What was that experience like for you?

Prayer:  Lord, we confess that sometimes we want all of the reward and none of the work. We want to be blessed in a mighty way by you, but we don’t want to deal with the messiness of other people’s lives. Forgives us, O Lord, and strengthen us to serve one another as you served. Amen. 

Wednesday: “The Hand Off” - Ruth 4: 7-10

I like to refer to the custom of passing the sandal from one person as another as the hand off. The closest kin to Naomi was essentially handing off to Boaz, both his right to claim the land and his duty as being the kinsman redeemer.  With this exchange, Boaz acquired all that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion and Mahlon, including Ruth. 

All too often we quickly hand off the things that we don’t want any part of. We hand off tasks on our to do lists. Chores. And sometimes even responsibilities. But how many of us, Like Boaz, are willing to have these things handed to us? To take what was actually someone else’s responsibility and fulfill it to the best of our ability? 

Are you someone who is more likely to hand off or accept responsibility? Why?

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for the body of Christ where we can bear each other’s burdens. May we trust one another enough to hand off those things which are not good uses of our gifts from time to time, as well as to accept the responsibilities of others when they are in need. Let us bear one another up, O Lord. Amen. 

Thursday: “Like Rachel and Leah” - Ruth 4:  11-12

All of a sudden, Ruth the Moabite, an outsider, becomes and insider. Though she had been rejected by the closest kinsman, the witnesses proclaim to Boaz that she should be like Rachel and Leah, the wive of Jacob and the mothers of the twelve men who went on to be the twelve tribes of Israel. They wish that she be a woman who builds up the house of Israel.

Sometimes all people need to go from feeling like an outsider to an insider is one person who will befriend them. One person who will go to bat for them, like Boaz did for Ruth. The question is if we are willing to be that type of person. A person who takes risks so that others can belong. 

Tell of a time when someone helped you to belong. What was that experience like for you? 

Prayer: Lord, use us to help others not only feel welcome but to truly belong. Help us to take risks for the sake of others. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. 

Friday: “Obed” - Ruth 4: 13-17

The words of blessing that the witnesses spoke upon Boaz came to pass. He and Ruth were married and bore a son, Obed. Obed. was immediately a blessing to Naomi, who felt like her life had been restored though the gift of her grandson. But Obed also was a blessing to the nations, as he was the grandfather of King David. 

Sometimes when we take a risk, we don’t know how it is going to turn out. There is no way that Boaz could know the multiple blessings of the son he bore with Ruth. And there is no way that Ruth could know that by marrying Boaz she would find herself in the lineage of King David and Jesus. Yet, God can take the step of faith that we take and multiply it beyond our wildest imaginations. 

When have you taken a risk for God that turned out differently then you expected?

Prayer: God of promise, God of blessing, thank you for the story of Ruth. The story of Naomi. The story of Boaz. The story of Obed. Remind us that those things that we do in the power of your name may turn out completely differently then we expected, but may be a mighty blessing to others! Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Earn. Save. Give. - We Don’t Need More Money” - Proverbs 3: 13-14

Family Activity: What is a servant? What are some ways that we can serve other people?