The Hebrew word for Redeemer is used once in the book of Ruth to refer to Boaz, who redeemed the widow Ruth. Then also, Isaiah refers to “your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,” using the word Redeemer 13 times. A similar Hebrew term is used used twice in Ruth, kinsman or intimate friend. These are terms that show that someone like us who cares for us, rescues us. The idea is one who buys back another from slavery, debtor’s prison, or the destitution of widowhood. This concept originates in Leviticus 25:25 where God says, “If a fellow countryman of yours becomes so poor he has to sell part of his property, then his nearest kinsman is to come and buy back what his relative has sold.” The book of Ruth gives the example that specifically has the kinsman-redeemer, Boaz, marrying Ruth which is a picture of Christ and His Church. Then Isaiah fills our the description of Messiah as strong, able, willing, loving, diligent, and patient to carry out the rescue of His people. Jeremiah proclaims strongly, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, “The sons of Israel are oppressed, and the sons of Judah as well; and all who took them captive have held them fast, they have refused to let them go. Their Redeemer is strong, the Lord of hosts is His name; He will vigorously plead their case so that He may bring rest to the earth, but turmoil to the inhabitants of Babylon.”” (50:33-34)
Jesus best fulfills the dual role of kinsman-redeemer, having taken on flesh to become one of us and having died in our place to pay our sin debt, rescuing us from the wrath of God and the domain of darkness. By nature God, He had the power and purity to take the sin of everyone who believes. By nature man, He had the standing in the heavenly court to die in our place.
But wat do the offices or duties of prophet, priest, and king have to do with being a redeemer? The offices are the means and authority by which the Redeemer accomplishes this grand rescue. Consider the office of prophet. We think of a prophet as one who can reveal the future. Jesus certainly did that predicting His own future: death, resurrection, the destruction of Jerusalem, and His second coming. But in a wider sense, He reveals God, most notably in redemption through God’s justice and mercy in the plan of salvation.
Next time we will talk about Jesus as Priest and King.
Question 27: What offices does Christ perform as our Redeemer?
Answer: Christ, as our Redeemer, performs the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his condition of humiliation and exaltation. Acts 3:22; Hebrews 5:6; Psalm 2:6.
Question 28: How does Christ perform the office of a prophet?
Answer: Christ performs the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. John 1:18; 14:26; 15:15.
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Moving Forward
Posted in Assurance, Civil Debate, Consequences, Cultural commentary, Faith, General, God Thoughts, Gospel, Implications, Sermon, Society, tagged bible, Blessed, Blessedness, Charlie Kirk, christianity, Faith, God, Jesus, Persecution, Results of Persecution, Sermon on the Mount on September 17, 2025| Leave a Comment »
I avoid political comment or commentary on this blog, but Charlie Kirk’s death is not primarily or most essentially a political assassination. His was a death (1) for his faith and the boldness with which he proclaimed the truth of God’s Word and power of Christ to save those who will turn from their wickedness to trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross and in His resurrection. This past Sunday, my pastor preached on how the Beatitudes of Matthew 5 apply to this and other situations of persecution. You can hear the sermon at “The True Meaning of the Blessed Life”. Without fully reviewing or summarizing the sermon, I want to point out three ideas that he communicated about the text, Matthew 5:1-12.
Firstly, he pointed out that the word “blessed” that Jesus spoke to His Jewish hearers would be understood to mean a “spiritual well-being growing out of a close relationship with God resulting in a happiness and settled nature in the recipient.” This is not prosperity gospel; it is peace and joy in knowing God.
Secondly, verses 3-9 about what blessedness looks like will result in verses 10-12, persecution. I add that Paul said, “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2) Therefore, Peter explains that since you do not do their sinful deeds, “In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you.” (3) On the other hand, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.” (4). Persecution for doing what is right is to be expected.
Lastly, my pastor began listing some of the benefits of persecution even in the face of its horrors and difficulty. He seemed to have perhaps four or five items on his list, but he went on to list many more from which I made the following list:
Persecution brings
In all of these encouragements I have realized another most obvious result which Peter says most clearly, “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” (4) The reason for the 16 things above in the life of individuals and the Church is the presence of God. I do not desire persecution to come, but God will bless us as believers when it does- all glory be to Him. May God give us zeal through the loss of this brother in Christ to raise up many more like him, bold to proclaim truth.
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