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The Gathering of Witnesses

The Gathering of Witnesses

Words of Faith 2-1-18

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2018

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Ruth 4  

   [9] Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, "Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion and Mahlon. [10] I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon's widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from the town records. Today you are witnesses!"

 

       In ancient times, witnesses were essential for any transaction to be legal. Records and documents were not always good, so the gathering of witnesses provided the legal binding on the redemption of Naomi and Ruth. The proclamation: "Today, you are witnesses!" was a sort of "notary seal" on matters.

       The same is true regarding our redemption. The writer of the book of Hebrews says that we are surrounded by a "great cloud of witnesses" (12:1). All who came before Christ, longing for His coming, even Ruth, Naomi and Boaz, are part of the great cloud of witnesses to our redemption.   All of creation shuddered when the payment was made. But all creation also rejoiced at the completion of our purchase with the blood of Christ. All who have come before us in the cause of Christ are part of that great cloud of witnesses. All who gather today to claim the name of Christ and His redemptive work are part of the cloud of witnesses.

         Every time we gather as Christian believers, we are among the witnesses. Every time we share the bread and cup of remembrance, we say to all who would hear: "The transaction is complete. Today, you are witnesses!" At every moment of Christian baptism, the transaction is celebrated and once again we proclaim: "Today, you are witnesses!"  

         What a celebration! What a redeemer! He redeems the poor, the outcast, and the foreign. He restores an inheritance that was intended from creation, but was stolen away by sin. He redeems our identity so that our names will not disappear, rather they will be written in the Book of Life.

 

         Thank you, Lord, for the gift of redemption in Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. I rejoice today, before the witness of all creation, that You have loved me with an everlasting love. You have redeemed me from the poverty of sin. You have restored Your intention for my life so that my name would not disappear, but be forever written in the record of heaven. In Jesus' name. Amen.