Kinship

Marveling at Christ’s redemption

Welcome! As I write this, it’s the beginning of spring–a time when annual plants pull strength from their roots and show us who they are with new blooms and leaves. We will do something similar today as we think of the kinship of family…and then of our Kinsman Redeemer. As always, thank you for sharing your time with me. I don’t take your gift of time lightly. 

Now, come. Marvel with me at Christ’s redemption. 

Spring break 

Sometimes labels are misnomers. Spring “break” is one of those. A shift from the normal school/work schedule? Yes. A break time to rest? Not often. Ah, but with the right perspective, even full schedules can bring refreshment.

That has been our experience this spring break, anyway. The calendar looked like non-stop events: a three-day trip to see the grandkids (and their parents), a three-day trip to see my parents and sisters, and three days with four of my husband’s brothers and sisters coming and going (or coming and staying). The schedule was full.

But as I reflect on this “break,” I am filled with gratitude. Each visit celebrated the kinship of family as we shared current life events, voiced hopes for the future, and told stories of the past. 

These conversations were not the cautious, surface-level exchanges characteristic of new acquaintances; rather, the deep, honest interactions made possible by common bonds forged over years of commitment. Like the spring plants, we pulled strength from our roots and, as a result, will return to normal with a renewed sense of who we are.

The responsibility of kinship

Kinship. This concept of supportive family relationships has long held importance. In fact, in Leviticus, the defined responsibility of a kinsman is part of the Law–part of the means for an unholy people to live in the presence of a holy God. 

Let’s read a few of the words God spoke through Moses to the people on Mt. Sinai:

“If a stranger or sojourner with you becomes rich, and your brother beside him becomes poor and sells himself to the stranger or sojourner with you or to a member of the stranger’s clan, then after he is sold he may be redeemed. One of his brothers may redeem him, or his uncle or his cousin may redeem him, or a close relative from his clan may redeem him. Or if he grows rich he may redeem himself.” (Lev. 25:47-49 ESV, emphasis mine)

Here, and in other Old Testament verses (Lev. 25:23-28, Num. 35:19, Deut. 25:5-10, Ruth 4:1-10, Jer. 32:6-10), we see the role of the kinsman redeemer in various circumstances. However, because this passage mentions more than one relative as a potential redeemer, we know the responsibility did not always fall on the nearest kinsman. In fact, the redeemer–the “one charged with the duty of restoring the rights of another and avenging his wrongs”¹–had to meet three qualifications.

God’s Law given through Moses set the people of Israel apart from other nations. They lived differently to show they served a God unlike other gods. Therefore, the action of the kinsman redeemer, as part of that Law, was a sanctifying action. 

Christ, our Kinsman Redeemer

You know, all of Scripture holds references to Jesus (Ps. 40:7-8). The New Testament and the Old. Sometimes obvious, but other times–as in the case of the kinsman redeemer–a little obscure. 

So let’s remove the obscurity. We want to gain an unclouded view of Christ as our Kinsman Redeemer:

All of us were once in the position of the poor relative described in Leviticus. We were slaves to sin (Rom. 6:19), on the path to death (Rom. 6:23), in need of a kinsman redeemer to rescue us.

The problem? No human can meet all the qualifications. Since every human owes a sin debt, none can pay the price to redeem himself or another.

But God had a plan from before time began (Titus 1:2). Consider the following scriptures as they reveal how Jesus fulfilled all the qualifications to serve as our Kinsman Redeemer.

The kinsman redeemer had to be a near relative.

• “Therefore [Jesus] had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Heb. 2:17)
• “but [Jesus] emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil. 2:7-8)

The kinsman redeemer had to be able to redeem.

• “knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1 Pet. 1:18-19)
• “And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you [Jesus] to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.’” (Rev. 5:9)

The kinsman redeemer had to be willing to redeem.

• “‘For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” (Mark 10:25)
• “‘For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.’” (John. 10:17)

And just to be clear, our redemption is complete. Jesus paid our debt in full.

• “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” (Eph. 1:7)
• “He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” (Heb. 9:12)
• “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Rom. 8:1-2)

Closing

How precious you are to Jesus, my friend! He came to earth in human form to be your near kinsman. His voluntary death on the cross fully paid your sin debt. And through His death, burial, and resurrection, your redemption is complete. Jesus rescued you from the penalty of sin at the moment you placed your faith in Him. Truly, He is your Kinsman Redeemer!

As you enter the two weeks leading to Easter, may you pull strength from the roots of that truth and face your days with a renewed sense of who you are in Him. May your heart overflow with gratitude as you marvel at Christ’s redemption.

If you would like to share a thought about this post, please feel free to leave a comment below. 

©2026 Catherine L Hill. All rights reserved.

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¹Easton, M.G. “Redeemer.” Easton’s Bible Dictionary. New Delhi: JollyJoy Books Pvt Ltd, 2024.

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