common men for His glory.

Continuing the theme of my last post...speaking of Jesus and His twelve apostles...

"Notice the natural progression in their training program. At first, they simply followed Jesus, gleaning from His sermons to the multitudes and listening to His instructions along with a larger group of disciples...Next...He called them to leave everything and follow Him exclusively" (22, Twelve Ordinary Men by John MacArthur)

 They, like Ruth, possessed nothing in themselves that made them worthy of redemption and were not gifted in any area as to be loved and brought close.

"Although they were uncommon men, theirs was an uncommon calling. In other words, the task they were called to, and not anything about the men per se, is what makes them important" (22).

It is the kinsman-redeemer who makes Ruth complete again.  It is Christ who called the Twelve to His side, that He might make them whole and train them in Truth.  It is the Holy Spirit who empowered them to follow Him and love like Him and further the kingdom of God to the ends of the earth.

“Brothers think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.’”  1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Thank You, Jesus, for being my kinsman-redeemer.  Thank You for accepting me and choosing me that Your Name might be seen and known.  Thank You for creating me to glorify You.  I am complete and whole and satisfied when You are exalted in my life.  May I never boast of anything in me.  May my boast always be of You.