Where Is Jesus In This Story?

“I will do everything you say,” Ruth replied. So she went down to the threshing floor that night and followed the instructions of her mother-in-law.

After Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he lay down at the far end of the pile of grain and went to sleep. Then Ruth came quietly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. Around midnight Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet! “Who are you?” he asked.

“I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.”

“The LORD bless you, my daughter!” Boaz exclaimed. “You are showing even more family loyalty now than you did before, for you have not gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor. Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman. But while it’s true that I am one of your family redeemers, there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am. Stay here tonight, and in the morning I will talk to him. If he is willing to redeem you, very well. Let him marry you. But if he is not willing, then as surely as the LORD lives, I will redeem you myself! Now lie down here until morning.”

So Ruth lay at Boaz’s feet until the morning, but she got up before it was light enough for people to recognize each other. For Boaz had said, “No one must know that a woman was here at the threshing floor.” Then Boaz said to her, “Bring your cloak and spread it out.” He measured six scoops of barley into the cloak and placed it on her back. Then he returned to the town. [Ruth 3.5-15]

We just don't really know what this situation was really like. One thing we might conclude however is that it was intimate. Whether it was Ruth or Boaz who retold the story so we would have it today is unknown. But, to be sure, it was one of them because there were no other witnesses!

Just from a physical aspect, the circumstances of this encounter would have been unlike normal daily conversations and situations. It was dark. They were alone. They were in close proximity. They were of the opposite sex. They were both vulnerable because sleep was involved.

Regardless of what interactions Ruth and Boaz had had up to this point, this one was the "game changer." This interaction could certainly have been one to make hearts beat just a little faster.

I have no idea whatsoever what this all means. I understand that all Old Testament scripture points to Jesus, so, somehow this story must reveal Jesus. But how? Where is Jesus in this story?

The one thing that comes immediately to mind is that the intimacy of this story is where we are to see Jesus. Our relationship with Him, if we are to be included in the family of God, is to be intimate. Of course the (real or potential) physical intimacy of this story is only a picture of the emotional intimacy we are to have with Christ. But intimacy seems to be the key.

And, in the intimacy described immediately above, Ruth found redemption.

Father, help me to understand the intimacy of my relationship with Jesus. Help me to understand that He sees me when I am alone, it is dark, and I am vulnerable. Help me to comprehend that in that setting He has claimed me as family.