“Dan, can’t you just give him a couple of dollars? You did just get that big bonus at work.” Beth couldn’t help looking over her shoulder at the disheveled homeless man sitting on the park bench. As they had passed by, he was quietly asking people for spare change. Despite her pleadings, her husband refused to give the man any money. Dan was able to give - but he was not willing.

The final requirement of the kinsman redeemer in the Old Testament was that he be willing to redeem. He could be a close relative and have the financial means to redeem, but if he was not willing to pay the price, none of that mattered. This is what happened in the story of Ruth. There was a closer relative than Boaz who had the first right to redeem, but he refused because it would have cost him too much.

Jesus Christ was the perfect kinsman redeemer Who met all three requirements. He was our near kinsman, He was sinless and therefore able to pay the price of sin, and most importantly, he was willing to pay the price. Jesus was not martyred by Rome. He was not caught up in a mob and executed. He was a willing sacrifice who laid down His own life.

The price of sin has been paid - we have been redeemed!