Ease

In pondering this one-word ease I wander back and remember this beautifully romantic exchange between Boaz, the landowner, and Ruth, the new girl in Bethlehem.

Boaz saw her, introduced himself, and blessed her for her reputation.

“May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.””
‭‭Ruth‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

““May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my Lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.””
‭‭Ruth‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Whether you are familiar with the book of Ruth or not, I highly recommend this short book of 4 chapters. While the book only briefly acknowledges God, His presence and love for His people are evident. Specifically, God’s care for foreigners, widows, and the poor are portrayed primarily through this Hebrew landowner, Boaz.

Ease. Ruth said that he had put her at ease.

Do you know what it’s like to be the new girl in town? Are you a widow? Have you experienced the upside down emotions of being an outsider? Have you struggled through poverty?

Can you relate to the feeling of being put at ease?

I can just imagine the heaviness on Ruth as she set out to do what she was physically able to do to provide for her mother-in-law. Can you picture with me the relief she felt when she wasn’t shooed away from the field. And I imagine her releasing a long shaky exhale as listened to the kind words of Boaz.

{Oh go and read the book of Ruth today. It’s a better romance than anything on the Hallmark channel.}

A kind word is cup of cool water in a dry and weary land.

Lisa Brittain

Jesus was able to put a person at ease by His presence or with a word. Along a similar line of thought, I’m reminded of the scene portrayed in Luke 7. Jesus reclined at dinner with his host, a Pharisee. And then a woman, described as having led a sinful life, entered the private dinner. She washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and wiped them with her long hair. Afterward, she anointed Jesus with expensive oil.

I can just imagine this woman, a poor outsider much like Ruth. Possibly she heard that Jesus was near, and so she dared to step forward to offer her gratitude with all that she had available to her. It was a scandalous encounter.

“When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭7‬:‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So what was Jesus’ response?

Kind words of blessing toward the woman who sacrificed her meager means and her comfort by exposing herself to ridicule.

“Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭7‬:‭44‬-‭48‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Your sins are forgiven.” Is there a sweeter cup of cool water offered to a dry and weary soul?

Can you imagine with me the relief she felt? Did she finally release a shaky long exhale as the words of Jesus put her at ease?

What do you think?

And what response do you have as you go on with your day?

I want to fill a pitcher full of kind words and pour them out today on people who need to be put at ease. I want to tell someone today, “Friend, your sins are forgiven in the name of Jesus.”

Eyes on Jesus and Shine,

~Lisa