2025 Advent Part 3

At Keys Vineyard Church, we are presenting a series called ‘Advent 2025’ which we post here on Online Bible Institute.

As we looked at the story of Ruth last week, we made a comparison between Boaz and Joseph and we talked about how they are both examples of righteousness. This week, we are going to talk more about Boaz and dig into what it means to be a kinsman redeemer, and how this theme points us directly to the peace that Jesus brings.

When we read the book of Ruth, we see a family trapped in loss, grief, poverty, and powerlessness. Ruth and Naomi could not rescue themselves. They needed someone with the right relationship, the right standing, and the right ability to step in and redeem what had been lost. Their story is beautiful because Boaz does exactly that. But their story is also a shadow, an early picture pointing us toward a redeemer far greater than Boaz.

This moment in Ruth chapter 3 captures the heart of what a kinsman redeemer does:

Ruth 3:9-13 (NIV)
9 “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.” 10 “The LORD bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you howed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character. 12 Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.”

Boaz steps in to do what only a true redeemer can do. And in this, he points forward to a greater redeemer who would step into our story.

The truth is that we are in the same position Ruth and Naomi were in. Spiritually speaking, our situation is just as desperate.

Galatians 3:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. 23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.

Paul tells us that the whole world is a prisoner of sin. Every one of us, without exception, was held captive, locked up, condemned, and unable to set ourselves free. We were trapped under the weight of the law, cut off from God, unable to measure up, and deserving of eternal punishment. This is not a small problem. This is not something we could fix with a little effort or a few good choices. Spiritually, we were broken, helpless, and in desperate need of a savior.

And how did God respond to our desperate situation? With compassion, mercy, and extraordinary love.

Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV)
4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

Paul says that when the time had fully come, God sent His Son. That is the heart of Christmas. God did not abandon us. He did not dismiss us. He came for us. Jesus, fully God and fully human, entered our world as one of us. He became kin with us. He drew near. He took on our flesh and stepped into our story so that He could be our kinsman redeemer.

Because of Jesus, everything we lost at the fall is restored. Our spiritual inheritance, lost through sin, is given back to us. Because of Jesus, we are set free from the slavery of sin. We no longer live as prisoners or outsiders. Because of Jesus, we are welcomed into the family of God. The relationship that was broken is healed. The separation is over. We are now sons and daughters of God, and as the church, we are the bride of Christ.

This is the peace we celebrate at Christmas. The redeemer has come. And because He has come, we are redeemed, restored, and made new.

This weekend at Keys Vineyard Church, we will discuss all this and more, so be sure to join us in person or online.

Steve Lawes is a pastor at Keys Vineyard Church and also the founder of the Online Bible Institute Network.