DAY 5: GOING PUBLIC

Boaz managed to honor Ruth's marriage proposal while following all the right procedures, but people still talk (Ruth 4). Does he really want to marry her? What about the real family redeemer?

Boaz could have waited for the gossip to die down and marry Ruth in a discreet ceremony, but no. In a final act of kindness, he made a public announcement to preserve Ruth's dignity. "And with the land I have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon, to be my wife. This way she can have a son to carry on the family name of her dead husband and to inherit the family property here in his hometown. You are all witnesses today" (Ruth 4:10, NLT).

Are there some people with whom you do not want to be seen in public? Is it easier for you to reach out to the needy in ways that would keep them at a distance from your social circle?

Spending time with people in public can display kindness differently. There is no better way of showing love to someone in a compromising position than showing up with them in public. Like Jesus did. In Luke 19, Jesus shows the true meaning of kindness by visiting Zacchaeus. He knew what the people were saying, but He did it anyway. "But the people were displeased. 'He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,' he grumbled" (Luke 19:7, NLT). He is still showing us the same kindness today.

"So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters" (Hebrews 2:11, NLT).

Let us look at other people the same way that Jesus sees us. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us show kindness in public!

Scripture Readings:

Ruth 4:1-12

Luke 19:1-10

Hebrews 2:11