Ruth Sister of Jesus

As Ruth grew up, she was taken in hand by Miriam and Martha, her big sisters. And when she got old enough, she joined them as they were homeschooled by James, their older brother.

Baby Ruth was the joy of the household, always genuine and heartfelt despite sometimes speaking without thinking. She adored her older father-brother, although he didn't indulge her every whim. Ruth was a beautiful child, although Miriam was the belle of the family, if not of the city.

As a young child, Ruth and her playmates were frequent visitors at the repair shop. And always was Jesus ready to postpone the contemplation of his future work for the world and the universe so that he might share in the joy and youthful gladness of these youngsters, who never tired of listening to Jesus relate the experiences of his various trips to Jerusalem. They also greatly enjoyed his stories about animals and nature.

Before Jesus left to become a caravan conductor on the trip to the Caspian regions in April of 24 CE, Mary and Ruth moved to Capernaum, where they lived for the rest of Mary’s life in the home that Jesus had provided.

In January, 28 CE, late on a Friday evening, Ruth secretly paid Jesus a visit in Capernaum. They spent almost an hour together in a boat anchored a short distance from the shore. No human being, save John Zebedee, ever knew of this visit, and he was admonished to tell no man.

An eventful day in the life of Jesus and Ruth occurred on May 22, 29 CE. On this Sunday morning, before daybreak, one of David’s messengers arrived in great haste from Tiberias, bringing the word that Herod had authorized, or was about to authorize, the arrest of Jesus by the officers of the Sanhedrin. And in response to this hasty call, Mary, James, Joseph, Jude, and Ruth decided to go to the home of Zebedee, where Jesus was speaking.

The family had expected to meet Jesus, take him aside, and urge him to go home with them and give up the foolishness of trying to preach a new religion that could bring only trouble to himself and dishonor upon his family. But Ruth disagreed and would say only: “I will tell my brother that I think he is a man of God, and that I hope he would be willing to die before he would allow these wicked Pharisees to stop his preaching.” Joseph promised to keep Ruth quiet while the others labored with Jesus.

But this was unnecessary as the meeting never took place due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control. After Jesus’ family returned to Capernaum, they enjoyed no peace of mind until Thursday afternoon, when Ruth returned from a visit to the Zebedee house, where she learned from David Zebedee that her father-brother was safe and in good health.

On Sunday, August 7, 29 CE, another meeting was to take place between Jesus and all the members of his family at Zebedee’s boat shop on the lake to the south of Capernaum. But the Pharisees got wind of it, and camped out on Mary’s doorstep, hoping to arrest Jesus. This forced the family to stay home, missing the meeting.

Jude and Ruth endeavored to elude the vigilance of the Pharisees in their efforts to send word to Jesus, but it was of no avail.

When Mary found out about Jesus’ arrest she wanted to go to him immediately. Ruth refused to remain behind with the rest of the family. And since she was determined to accompany her mother, her brother Jude went with her.

The apostle John, with Mary the mother of Jesus, Ruth, and Jude, arrived on the scene just after Jesus had been hoisted to his position on the cross, and just as the captain was nailing the title above the Master’s head. Ruth was the chief comfort of Jesus, as regards his family, throughout the trying ordeal of his trial, rejection, and crucifixion.

When the Master finally breathed his last, the only members of his family still present at the foot of his cross were his brother Jude and his sister Ruth.

The day after Jesus’ death, Mary the mother of Jesus, with Ruth and Jude, returned to the home of Lazarus at Bethany just before sunset. And they were all present there when Jesus appeared to them around 2 pm the next day (Sunday) in his fourth resurrection appearance/Event/Jesus' Fourth Appearance].

When everyone else left for their homes following the crucifixion of Jesus, Ruth remained at Bethany with Lazarus’ sisters. And about two months later, Ruth and David Zebedee were married.