Ruth 1:16-17 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
Naomi, a faithful Israelite, had sojourned in Moab to escape a famine. There her husband and two sons died. But as she was going back to her land, her daughter-in-law, Ruth, clung to her and would not go back to Moab. Ruth and Naomi’s love for each other compelled her to respond with this classic vow of commitment. These words are often used in wedding ceremonies, wherein the couple makes this kind of vow to each other.
So strong was their love that Ruth was willing to leave behind her country, her family, her heritage, her culture, her gods, her familiar way of life, everything, in order to be faithfully committed to her mother-in-law. This kind of loyal pledge was almost miraculous, so strong was their love.
This kind of vow was made by Peter and all the Apostles. This kind of exclusive commitment is made by all faithful followers of Jesus. We are willing to forsake everything for the sake of Christ. We are strongly tempted by the world to follow its ways, but we say, “No, Jesus is with me, and I am with Jesus.” This kind of faith commitment is a miracle worked by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel. The Word and the Spirit convinces us of the incomprehensible and unconquerable Love of God in Christ. Love compels commitment.