Ep. 25 - The Redeemer & Redemption
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
What does it take to qualify as a Redeemer? In this first installment of a two-part message on redemption, Pastor Josh opens in Ephesians 1:7 and traces the doctrine of redemption from God’s eternal counsel into the pages of Ruth. Redemption was no afterthought — it was the prudent provision of an all-wise God who foresaw the entry of sin and purposed in eternity past to purchase man back to Himself.
Drawing on the laws of the kinsman-redeemer in Leviticus 25 and the vivid typology of Boaz in Ruth 3–4, Pastor Josh identifies three qualifications that God has stipulated for any redeemer: he must be the nearest kinsman, he must be willing, and he must be able to pay the ransom price without compromising his own inheritance. Christ meets every qualification — and surpasses them all. For His riches are so vast that the price of redemption is only a portion. Part 2 will take up the cross and the free gift of that redemption.
KEY SCRIPTURES
Psalm 49:7–8
“None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (for the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)”
Colossians 1:16–18
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
Ruth 3:9, 12–13
“And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman... And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.”
Ruth 4:4–6
“And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it. Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.”
2 Corinthians 8:9
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
Ephesians 1:7
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”
EPISODE OUTLINE
The need for redemption — what sin and death brought into God’s creation
God’s eternal counsel — wisdom, prudence, and the foreknowledge of evil
The law of faith versus the law of works — how God stipulated redemption
Colossians 1:16–18 — Christ preeminent in creation and in redemption
The book of Ruth — Boaz as a type of Christ the Redeemer
Qualification 1: the nearest kinsman — Leviticus 25 and Ruth 3:12
Qualification 2: willingness — “I will do to thee all that thou requirest” (Ruth 3:11)
Qualification 3: ability — paying the ransom without marring his own inheritance (Ruth 4:6)
The exceeding riches of grace — redemption as only a portion of what Christ possesses
2 Corinthians 8:9 — though He was rich, He became poor that we might be made rich
QUESTIONS DISCUSSED
Why does God stipulate qualifications for the Redeemer, and what does this reveal about His justice?
What is the significance of the nearest kinsman requirement — how does Christ fulfill this in His incarnation?
Boaz said “I will” — in what sense is Christ’s willingness to redeem meaningful to you personally?
What does it mean that Boaz was “able” to redeem without marring his inheritance? How does this picture Christ’s infinite sufficiency?
Pastor Josh says redemption is only a portion of the riches of grace. What does that say about how broadly we should understand salvation?
How should the truth of Ephesians 1:7 — redemption according to the riches of His grace — shape the way you think about your standing before God?
