Category: Teachings From The Word… (Page 14 of 15)

How often in the past few weeks alone have either you or someone around you mentioned how much things have changed?

We live in day and time where people are not only alarmed and puzzled by current and global events, they are flat out mixed up!

Up is down and right is wrong. People are no longer content living within the image God created them—and as a result, have decided that we, (who take no issue with our own image), must see them as they see themselves or else!

Refuse to issue a marriage license to two people that God does not recognize as a couple and you’ll likely lose your job. Don’t bake a cake–you’ll  be fined and may lose your business! Greater, refuse to not renounce the Name above Every name and you will quite literally lose your head. You’ll spend years in jail suffering unthinkable cruelties and torture. And no I’m not speaking of Peter who did endure a death of crucifixion, Paul, beheaded in Rome, or Stephen the first disciple to die being stoned to death. James too was beheaded.

I’m talking about Asia Bibi, accused blasphemer or Pastor Saeed Abedini, who from 2013, spent over three years in an Iranian prison suffering beatings, threats and isolation. Why? Because like his brothers before him, He loved His King more than his own life and wouldn’t deny Him. And yet Solomon reminds us, “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecc.1:9).

There are times in life that to fully get hold of where we are, we need to understand where we have been—until that understanding bleeds out from our toes…

Allow me to introduce you to Tacitus and Suetonius, both Roman historians. They verify my words by sharing with you what they too knew to be truth, in part, the persecution of Christians at the hand of Nero. Yet,even with their witness neither my words nor theirs are little more to you than shared facts—we each are a mere resource. The Word of God only must be your guide and foundation; the sole Truth you both rely and build on. So to showcase the validity of Gods’ Word, let’s go to it and see where this type of Christian persecution  was witnessedin times past.

And yes, it is persecution now, just as it was then…

 Immediately after our Lord’s ascension, Peter and John were called before the Jewish senate, and beaten; (Acts 4:6-7; 5:40). Stephen was brought before the same court and put to death (Acts 7:58). James was brought before Herod, and by him put to death; who also laid Peter in prison, intending to kill him likewise; (Acts 12:2; Acts 12:4) that Paul, formerly himself a persecutor, but now converted, was, in his turn, frequently persecuted; that he and Silas were imprisoned and beaten in the synagogue at Philippi; (Acts 16:23;) that he was brought before the great synagogue of the Jews in Jerusalem; (Acts 22:30;) before King Agrippa and his wife, before the Roman governors, Gallio, Felix, and Festus; and last of all, before the Emperor Nero, in Rome, and his prefect, Helius Caesariensis.”

There are those, even as I type and you read, who are being murdered for believing in Jesus and refusing to say or do otherwise. I am reminded of the Words of Jesus in Matthew 8. He is talking to would be disciples concerning the cost one must pay for the privilege of following Him—And it is a privilege, least we ever forget!

Listen to the words Jesus spoke to those who didn’t fully weigh the honor of being called by Him. Who forgot to count the cost—they reacted to Jesus based on emotions. They didn’t respond based on thoughtful consideration and prayer.

As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You Wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Lk.9:58).

Jesus neither owes nor promises us a cushy lifestyle—somewhere it says if you want to follow me, pick up your cross.

Earthquakes, floods, wars and rumors of wars. Foes and friends and friends, foes. All of these things must come to pass—we are that generation spoken of who will not pass away until all these things have happen.

So why are we so shocked when we see these things unfolding? Jesus told us was going to happen…

Didn’t we believe Him when He said, for instance, that there would be signs in the Heavens…

Between April 15, 2014 and September 28, 2015 we as a global society experienced four blood moons. Notice I said, as a global society, and not just in the United States? These signs were given for the whole world to see. Why? So that on the day of judgement, and yes there will be one, believe it or not, no man will be able to say—I wasn’t living in that part of the world, I didn’t see it!

Okay then, did you by chance miss the Blue Moon that showed itself on July,3,2015? Or maybe you weren’t around for the lunar eclipse which took place on March 20, 2015? NASA was. A scientific community was used by God to evidence His handiwork to the world in such a way that no one will be excused from not knowing of these occurrences. Why? Gods’ heart is that not one should perish (2 Pt.3:9).

He’s an equal opportunity Savior.

Listen to how the Lord comforts us concerning all of the events that are happening and will continue to happen in fulfillment of the Scriptures. “But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man” (Lk.21:32-34 MSG).

Just as Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17 not to take the Disciples out of the world, or out of the dangers that living in this world hold, He gave them the map to victory over the world and everything that it would throw at them! He knew about the whole lot that was coming, both for them and for us. Yet He reminds us, as He did them, that we are to expect these things; being hated by a world we are only passing through (as He was), persecutions of every kind, gross infringements, and every kind of trial.

Yet as awful and deflating as this may sound to us, Jesus says not to worry about it. Why? Because it has a purpose, a Kingdom purpose. One greater than our limited vision can see, or our finite thinking scarcely take in, listen… “This will be a time and an opportunity for you to testify [about Me]. So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you [skillful] words and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute” (Lk.21:13-15).

Yes, we are in the last of times, the end of days, a  member of that generation. The Word of God, that road-map given to us by a loving Father illustrates clearly the current happenings in the world. Past, present and those yet to unfold.

But if that is all we get from God and His Word, we have missed the choicest portion! We should be grateful to the point of death for a Father who cares so much for sinful man. Somewhere it is written—Who are we that You are mindful of us?

Yes, the end of this world as we know it is fast winding down. Yes, each of the prophecies foretold have all come to pass. This should however bolster us, creating a joyful hope in that what is written will come exactly as God foretold us it would!

We should not be shocked by the happenings of the world that like their father, are in their final days. Is it such a surprise to us that they are pulling out all the stops?

Picture a Marlin breaking the surface of the sea in one last ferocious battle for freedom. Struggling against the surety of a lure lodged deeply in its mouth.

It knows instinctively, this is life or death.

And so it is with this world. It’s a flailing toddler throwing a feverish tantrum! I want, I want—but it’s my right!

We can choose certainly, to stand by and watch this raucous display. But given the blessed assurance we have in Christ Jesus, are these the signs we ought to choose to focus on in our last hours?

“Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. 28″But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Lk.21:28).

Look up! The King is coming; the King is coming!!!

Within five minutes of meeting this guy our eyebrows are raised and we’re asking ourselves, who is this angry young man?

We know him only as the older son. We first bump into him in Luke, at the corner of chapter 15 and verse 25. He has heard about the return of his wild, insolent younger brother, and subsequently, of the party their father is throwing in fete of his return. And he is ticked off! ! Incensed actually!

Since we’ve covered what took place between his younger brother and their father in a earlier post entitled, “The Prodigal and His Dad” dated 03/19/16. Feel free to catch-up it at your leisure.

Straightaway we’re looking at this older son…

If we are looking at this parable within a parable from the teaching perspective of Jesus, this is how it is theologically broken down for us.

The Prodigal son represents sinners and the father, Father God. Who is ever lovingly desiring for sinners to return to the safety of home. Similarly, is the vigilant father in our parable. Lastly, there is our older brother. He represents those who are churched, and perhaps like the Pharisees Jesus has talked to, those who feel a bit superior and angry truth be told.

How dare God, our Father show these dubious people , these undeserving, unclean sinners the same favor and mercy as us!

Now listen to how this older brother, the one who has always lived with his father, continually ever-dutiful, flips out when He learns from a servant about the house party happening at his address!  He goes from a submissive, upright, ever-present son to a dangerously close mirror-image of his brother!

How?

Through willful rebellion. Just like his younger brother via thoughts, words and finally actions.

Showing even an iota of mercy has not even entered his hypocritical mind!

Watch as he steadily unravels. It begins with him rebuking his father, then by insinuating that he has been little more than a slave; and not in fact, the ever-dutiful, well-intentioned son he has depicted himself as being. Lastly, for all intents and purposes, he disinherited his younger brother by referring to him not as my brother but rather as that son of yours! (Lk. 15:28-30 NASB).

Remember friends, this is the person Jesus uses within this parable to represent the churched. It’s within this segment of the parable that we’ll find ourselves seated today…

 Listen closely to the Words Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees, “And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. And he said to him, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound” (Lk.15:27 NASB).

This older son  represents a person who is actively serving God (vs.25). Yet, who unseeing doesn’t view himself as God views him—beloved, cherished, a recipient of anything at his Father’s disposal. Rather, he sees himself as a slave (vss.29;31).

Thus, by inference, his father is not seen by him as a beloved parent, but rather a master or taskmaster to be served, as if for wages or earnings; and not rightly, from a heart of joyful, loving thanksgiving! (vs29).

This son, by means of his prideful indignation, has not only shown his brother no mercy, but has lamentably, wholly missed the heart of his Father, and an invaluable lesson in love. Through this Father’s gracious, merciful example of unearned restoration we see the perfect salvation message, the very purpose of Jesus’ leaving Heaven to come to earth as a man.

So how did this son get this way? What was driving him?

Let’s observe…

Firstly, via his own irreverent, pompous approach to his Father (Ex. 20:12; Pr. 18:12).

Secondly, through his superficial understanding of his Fathers heart (Pr.9:10; Ps.111:10).

And lastly, listen to the use of his disrespectful tone. He exhibits a distorted, self-pitying view of himself revealing an unlit heart (1Jn.1:5; Pr.4:7).

He is reacting like a petulant child. He’s throwing a tantrum because he perceives daddy as showing unearned favor to his sibling…

I’m certain anyone who has a younger sibling cannot only relate, but has also likely heard themselves saying to themselves, or others man they get away with everything! It sure wasn’t like that for me let me tell you!

Sound familiar?

Sadly, and more to the point Jesus was attempting to make to the Pharisees, is that as God’s older children must be aware that often as a Body there is also a lack of mercy and compassion towards his younger children.

Deeper still, some older children (as a result of having a works…earn His love, and not a relational…unmerited love, understanding of Our Father) view themselves as seen by God much like this older son referred to himself, as a slave—I must do this for God or else. Therefore, by inference, the Father is a taskmaster; always looking to crack the proverbial whip! (vs.29;30).

I believe, and various commentaries seem to agree, that it is in this parable within a parable that the heart of the Father and the central message of how His church is to the treat sinners is brought home by Jesus (vs. 32).

Starting in Chapter 15, Jesus has spoken to the sinners and the church leaders (Pharisees and teachers of the Law). You would think that between these two groups it would have been the churched who caught hold of and ran with Jesus’ teaching. After all, they knew the Scriptures and had attended service and Bible-Study weekly right? So when Jesus takes them through the earlier two parables as a foundational build-up, in this His climatic radical new teaching series, rather than saying, yes please, and asking for seconds, the churched look at Jesus as if He has not only lost his mind, but that He is also a half-step off being demon possessed and perhaps just a step above those He had taught and had been dining with (see Lk. 14:1; 5:29; 7:36-39. Also, Mt.9:10-13; 9:32-34; Jn.9:39-41).

Have you ever experienced judgement in church rather than love and welcoming?

Have you ever met Christians who profess to be saved and know God, yet if they hadn’t told you, you certainly wouldn’t have guessed it?

If so, you have sadly met this week’s older brother…

Please allow me to invite you to stay just a bit longer and introduce you to the Father. After all, that is who Jesus has pointed the crowds towards throughout all of His teachings thus far.

This is the heart of our Father, the very heart Jesus was trying to communicate in this parable within a parable. Listen to it in Isaiah, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you” (Is.49:15).

 We expect the world, those who do not accept the Lordship of Jesus, to act unloving, reactionary, unkindly. After all some of us did when we were still of the world. But, here between us today, like then with the crowd, Jesus is reaching out to the Pharisees… the churched.  He is looking  to the whores, loan sharks, the outcasts, runaways, addicts, drunks and the teenage unwed moms. He’s looking out over everyone He sent His son to die for, every brand of sinner. I choose  to leave you with the words of the Father so I will take you to where He sees His youngest son…known to us as the prodigal son, cresting the horizon. Just look at the Father’s heart for His lost children… “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Lk.1520 NIV).

And there you have, the heart of God for His children.

All of His children!

The Love of the Father for his repentant children is what was missed by this older brother, he didn’t get it. The Pharisees and Teachers of the Law didn’t get it. And sadly, most today don’t either.

When the Scribes and the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, “Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners”, and hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

This is what Jesus is saying to those who have been going to church for years and have grown rigid, hard-hearted, and coldly separatist. To those who feel aversion more than empathy, He says—these too are my children.

Let’s end here with the final conversation between our Father, this older brother, and subsequently us… “But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.” And he said to him, “My Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found” (Lk.15:30-31).

Friends, we live in a world where instant gratification rules. Where reward is expected for simply being us! I do, therefore I deserve…! And yes, we as Christians are just as guilty as the world. We treat our Master, if I dare use that title for Christ, as a genie-in-a-bottle far too often. Or, let me make this personal, I know I have. Maliciously? Never. Intentionally? I don’t believe so, but I will leave God to be my judge. But certainly I am guilty of expecting a reward for my service. Does that shock you? It was humbling , to say the least, when the Holy Spirit revealed it to me. And as the old saying goes…, “truth hurts”!

But there it was for me to confront. So in conjunction with our text, I am using my correction (thank you Jesus for your loving kindness) as a cradle for this week’s message. The message is intended firstly for the messenger, then for the listener.

I, too, am growing…

In studying our text, I saw clearly that via our fallen sin nature we as people, saved and unsaved alike, have become ensnared by pride…

Not always blatant pride nor arrogant pride; we seem to catch that easily enough. It’s our subtle pride, our shadowy underbelly pride that trip us up every time! Basically it’s the lie we tell ourselves when we say we have learned to operate outside of our pride. When Truth be told, we can do nothing in it of ourselves; outside of God we are powerless to change or surrender anything! Don’t believe me? Go serve somewhere as the person who does nothing but clean-up after people every day. Basically, a mom, or a single parent father, a custodial grandparent who has raised their child and is now raising their grandchild. As much as they love these children, there’s not one that I have ever met, myself included, who if they want to be honest, didn’t get ticked off because theirs was a thankless, taken for granted, expected to preform without reward job!

And as Christians we carry this-worldly attitude of expected reward into our service to Christ. That is clear in our text today. Jesus is answering his disciples request for more faith through a familiar teaching tool of His, a parable. Through His parabolic teachings Jesus breaks down our human thinking and presumptions for us… Remember what the Lord tells us about the differences between our ways and His, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” (Isa.55:8).

So here it is laid out simply:

1. Jesus is telling His disciples both then and now (His Word is the same yesterday, today and forever) are you looking for a reward before your job (service) is finished?

2. Are you looking to be victorious, to wear the garland without fighting the battle?

3. Or are you seeking to profit before payday?

To understand God’s message here we must listen with ears singularly attuned by humilities hand. We are the servants; HE is the Master. We are owed nothing, not even our lives! We deserve death, yet in His infinite mercy, He generously rewards us, His servants with life eternal!

Mercy is like a judge finding you guilty, but then withholding any punishment.

Grace is receiving of which you cannot conceive; an unfathomable gift. It’s like that same judge awarding you $10,000,000.00, after finding you guilty. That is the heart of Father God. For God said to Moses, ” The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love” (Ps.145:8 NIV).

So with this in mind, here’s the question…Are you self-serving, or are you God’s servant?

You must get this answer firmly settled in your heart and mind, not only in your relationship with God, but also in view of your eternity. It must be as fixed within you as Jesus’ face was fixed to go to Jerusalem. “When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined (fixed, steadfast) to go to Jerusalem” (Lk.9:51NASB).

He was set on fulfilling His service to God as The Spotless Lamb given in sacrifice for the redemption of sinful man. Never once in Scripture do we hear Jesus ask, What’s in it for me? What do I get if I do this for you? Never!

To the contrary, and by example to us all, His will was perfectly, wholly submitted to God the Father. He was heard in the Garden of Gethsemane  when faced with His impending Crucifixion as saying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”(Mt.26:39NASB). Thank God we have a Savior who was, in His humanity, tempted as we are and able to relate to our weak flesh! Yet in His Divinity, submissive unto death on a tree for our reconciliation with the Father…

That is what Jesus was trying to communicate to His disciples both then and now, to each of us. And therefore, instead of valuing themselves upon what they had done, and expecting great rewards for it, it became them; after having performed all that was commanded them, to think and say that they had done nothing but their duty.

No medals are given to us for doing what it is we were fashioned to do; worshiping God in the form of our service. First, in a life totally surrendered to Him and secondly, as a natural by-product, service to His people. And nowhere in our contract/covenant (The Word of God), does it say that job will be easy or that we’re due a reward here on earth. Quite the contrary! Jesus tells us to expect persecution, harsh treatment, abuse, family discord, rejection, and humiliation…Listen to His Words… “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation (grievous trouble; severe trials or suffering), but take courage; I have overcome the world.” And, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you”.… (Jn.16:33NASB). What an honor!

You don’t deserve a reward. Period. You’re merely doing your job. You’re His chosen servant. That is your reward here and now; the great privilege of being chosen by God for service…let that sink into your core… “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn15:16 NIV).

Simple right? Man cannot profit God. Happy is he who judges’ himself an unprofitable servant; miserable is he whom God pronounces such. But though we are unprofitable to him, our serving him is not unprofitable to us. For he is pleased to give, by his grace, a value to our good works, which, in consequence of his promise, entitles us to an eternal reward.

When you are privileged to be called into the service of Our God, leave the need for recognition, honor, visibility, and accolades to others. Let them wear their medals as a reward for services rendered. You have just received God…

And as an aside… To our men and women of the Armed Forces, thank you to those who put their lives in harm’s way for our safety, rightfully you should wear your medals with honor and pride.

But for us servants, let us follow The Way of The King who came as our model, a living breathing example of humble servitude. “And whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

So here’s the thing…are you willing to lay down your pride, your need for recognition and reward? Are you willing to live in the shadows, allowing others to shine? What is motivating you to serve God, in your relationship with Him? The answer should not only be obvious… but is simple.

It’s our most powerful four letter word… LOVE! A light in this present darkness…

That’s it. For God so loved… “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn.15:13 NIV).

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another”.

And… “Work as unto the Lord and as unto men. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:23-24)

There are no medals given for faithful service to God…

Friends, what do the Words of Jesus spoken to a crowd of many thousands of Jews 2000 plus years ago have to do with us today?

Simply put…, “The Word of God is the same yesterday today and forever” (Heb.13:8 NIV).

That is a basic Biblical truth. As such, it makes what Jesus said to that crowd relevant to us also, stated differently… “Heaven and the earth will pass away, but My words will certainly not pass away.” (Mark 13:31 BLB).

I am laying this foundational truth in preparation for our text today which falls under the sub-heading of, “Repent or Perish” (Lu. 13:6-9 NIV). That statement, however unpopular in our current culture, is and will always remain Truth, believe it or not.

Beginning in Chapter 12 of Luke we witness Jesus revealing Truths that will lead us directly into our Scripture. Come along as Jesus teaches these core Truths to those seeking to follow after Him. Notice that He clearly lays out the costs of following Him, as disciples (Lu.14:28 NLT), as well as the promises or gains that being a true disciple afford to those willing to lay-down their life and take up their Cross (1 Cor. 15:52 KJV).

Jesus asks not only his disciples and those standing in that mob of people gathered then, but each of us today, these questions among others:

#1. What motivates you to want to follow Me? To serve Me?…

Are you, like the Pharisees, motivated by the attention and material gain that often accompany those who have taken up the profession of preaching or teaching? Notice I said, taken up, not all those who stand in our pulpits today or call themselves preachers, ministers, and teachers have been called or appointed by God. How do I know this…? Again, Scripture tells us. “Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water” (Jas 3:11 ESV). Put another way the Bible tells us “You will recognize them by their fruit.” Anyone can do anything for a time, but no one can do it for a lifetime unless it is authentic, a calling. (Jer.20:9 NASB).

Unless your heart be consumed with the LORDSHIP of Jesus Christ and not only the benefits of salvation in Him, you will be apt to fall away. You’re a counterfeit and when tried, you will be found out. Again, not my words but The Word. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness'”(Matt. 7:21-23 NLT).

Do you know Jesus as Lord of your life, or do you recognize Him as Savior alone? The difference in that knowledge is life or death. You must do the will of the Father.

#2. You’re not getting away with anything…!      

Tying into the above statement, we may think that we are getting away with something… Example, we go to church, read our Bibles faithfully, give our tithes regularly and practice charity just like those mentioned in the above Scripture. These were believers who recognized Jesus as Lord but did not do the will of the Father. But in private, in our secret place, away from the eyes of onlookers, we are acting as ungodly as one who is living outside of God! Shame the devil and tell the Truth! I know I have been guilty of this very sin in my walk with the Lord. Thinking that because man didn’t know of my sin, I was okay, I got away with something! Let me share with you the Truth the Holy One hit me with… “No creature can hide from him, but everyone is exposed and helpless before the eyes of the one to whom we must give a word of explanation” (Heb.4:3 ISV).

God is Holy and cannot look upon sin. “This is the message he has given us to announce to you: God is light and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness. We are not living in the truth. But if we are living in the light of God’s presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin. If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts” (1 Jn 1:5-10 NIV).

#3. Fear the One who cannot only kill the body, but moreover, the One whom when the body is dead can send you to hell.

Jesus was very forthright with those who wanted to run after Him concerning the cost they would pay to have right relationship with Him. Notice I did not say to have salvation alone, but, right relationship. Jesus MUST be not only Savior but our all in all. The only LORD and MASTER over our lives. We must be completely submitted to His will and abandoned our own, this in full recognition of the ultimate price He paid to redeem us (John 3:16 ESV)!

And lastly, #4. Do not Blaspheme the Holy Spirit.  

The Holy One comes to us in a very thoughtful and gracious manner, never rude or intrusive. Repeatedly, He will knock at the door of our hearts requesting entry. Offering us knowledge of Christ and reconciliation through Him with the Father. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit occurs when we hardheartedly refuse to acknowledge His gracious offer of a life reconciled to God. Jesus tells us that we may sin against Him and be forgiven, but sinning against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable (Matt. 12:32 NIV)!

And why is that?

Because we are repeatedly choosing lawless...After being given opportunities to choose God, we willingly continue in our sins and rebellion and choose to stay opposed to Him. Again, let’s hold this up to our previous Scripture for clarity, “And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness’” (Matt.7:23 ESV).

In closing, stand with me at the entrance of a lush vineyard. Let’s listen to its owner and manager discussing the outcome of a certain fig tree. Listen as the owner of the vineyard is telling his manager to… cut the thing down, it’s worthless! Throw it in the fire! It’s simply taking up the ground space of something else that once planted, will produce fruit…It’s been three years since it was planted and everyone knows if a fig tree is going to produce fruit, it typically happens within the first three seasons. Burn it!

This tree has been well-tended, planted in the riches of soils, watered regularly, and tended with the greatest of care and attention. But nada! Not one single fig…
The owner wants to use it for firewood, but the manager intercedes on its behalf. He has grown to love the little tree and does not want to see its potential ended.

The vineyard owner? God the Father.

The manager, Jesus Christ.

The little fig tree? He who holds anything back from the LORDSHIP of Christ.

Again, don’t take my word for this, let’s look to Scripture for examples. In Acts we have Ananias and Sapphira who thought they could cheat God out of what they freely agreed to give Him (Acts 5:1-11 NKJV)! Remember God does not force us to follow Him, we have free will! And perhaps the best known example of all, Judas Iscariot. Who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver because Jesus was not doing things the way Judas had expected them to be done (Lu.22:3-6 NASB).

But if we say yes… then it must be a resounding YES! A 100% yes! A No holds barred even when I hate it… yes! Even when it hurts… yes!

If we live for God and are the light in this world we cannot remain the same. We must bear the fruit of change. We cannot be like the rich young ruler spoken of in Luke 18. Claiming he had followed the laws since youth and now wanted to know what the next step was in achieving eternal life. Jesus tells Him that he has to sell all that he has and give his money to the poor. Only then could he pick up his cross and follow Jesus and gain eternal life. He had not counted the cost Remember Luke 14:28!

Will you give Him your all today?  

Jesus is returning, believe it or not. If you hear Him knocking on the door of your heart today, RUN to answer it! Time is growing short and no man is promised tomorrow…I’ll turn back here until next we meet leaving you with the Word of Life. Until then, God Bless you and may the Lord keep you…

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.…  (Jn.15:4-6- NKJV).

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (Pr. 4:23 NASB).

We should keep this verse ever before us, principally when viewing it through the eyes of our eternal souls… If you’re a Christian today, or, are feeling led to surrender your life to Christ, there are very clear lines in the sand we mustn’t cross. The world around you will always tell you otherwise, that’s its job…“Did God really say” (Gen 3:1 NIV)? Please, don’t take my word for this, just look around at the world, read a newspaper, sit in on a conversation. People of every walk of life are talking about how chaotic the world is today. Drive on any metropolitan highway, talk about chaos…one wrong turn and you end up in places your GPS doesn’t even recognize! Seriously. Also,Pay attention to the billboard advertisements lining those freeways; to the not-so subliminal messages aimed at shanghaiing your choices and directing them towards what the world wants you to view as important, needed, crucial.

Within our scripture passage today, we witness in part, the blessing missed out on.Those precious moments with Jesus we allow to be snatched from our hands daily, by permitting ourselves, get so caught-up in our works that we get sidetracked… often leading us into making the wrong choice in a timely moment (Jas.1:13-16 NASB).

The saying goes: life is all about choices.

We must make choices daily. Statistics tell us the average adult makes approximately 35,000 decisions a day. Now multiply that times two. Remember we had to make a choice between two options to reach that one decision. So, about 70,000 choices are contending for our attention on any given day. Ranging from the mundane… what we will eat, drink, wear, or brand of toothpaste we’ll purchase…to the more complex, spend or save, rent or own, marry or remain single. And we aren’t touching on the mixt issues of the heart, or deeper still, our singularly most fundamental of choices… where will we be spending eternity?

Choices…

Our Scripture today speaks to this very topic… Two sisters, both believers, each followers of Christ (Lk.10:38 NLT). We enter into their home as invited guests along with Jesus and the disciples. We’re graciously seated at the dinner table. Martha is busy bustling about, after all, this is technically,her home and she is hostess. Mary, her sister, has been right beside her throughout the day seeing to it that everything is just-so for their guests tonight. From the dinner preparation to flower selection Martha insisted everything be picture-perfect! After all, Jesus, their Rabbi and friend will be in attendance.

There are many times that our choices seem to be the right-thing to do; they’re done from a good-heart and certainly from a desire to please. We want to do our best and give our best to those we love undoubtedly, but how much more so when we are serving Jesus? And it is here where two sisters diverge in their definitions of what is the better portion. Everyone’s seated and Jesus begins to speak; with that Mary pulls up a stool and sits at the His feet (Lk.10:39 NLT) Oh how she loves to hear her Rabbi speak, His simplest words are like honey to her ears! While Mary sits listening to Jesus, Martha returns to the kitchen clearly irked! Mary unnoticing, is in her glory. There is nothing more in this life she enjoys than time spent with Jesus. She could sit for hours and simply drink in every word that flows from the Masters mouth…Martha also, but not now, not tonight.

Tonight, Martha has chosen to make service to the Lord her priority. After all, she has worked on this meal and its presentation all day. There will be time to sit with the Master another day, now there is still much to do…”The bread, I must put out the bread. Where is that sister of mine? I must speak to Jesus about her, surely HE will make her get up and help me”. And with that Martha knocks the basket, laden with the warm bread, to the floor. She is now beside herself and burst into the dining room in a huff to appeal to Jesus for help… Listen to her!

“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”    Now pay attention to how lovingly, tenderly, yet plainly Jesus answers His frazzled friend… “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Lk. 10:42-43 NIV).

Martha has just been taught a very valuable lesson, but, as with all of us, the question becomes was she hearing the Lord as He spoke to her?are we? or are we doing nothing more than half distractingly listening? I’m reminded of the words of the prophet Micah concerning what it is God requires of us, “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness] (Micah 6:8 AMP)?

Martha was not an enemy of the Lord, she was His friend, and more a true believer. A follower of The Way. Scripture makes that clear within the context of a conversation she and Jesus have when He and the disciples come to her, and her sister Mary, after the death of their brother Lazarus. Jesus tells Martha that Lazarus will live again now, and in the world to come. He asks her if she believes this. Let’s listen to her reply…

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world” (Luke 11:27 NLT).

Even the most fervent of us, those who hunger and thirst after Jesus (Matt.5: ), who crave time alone with Him, get caught-up on occasion in service to Him ;forgetting to come away from all the work of our hands. We forget to simply be still in front of Him (Ps.46:10 NKJV). Like Mary, our first duty to the Lord is to Love HIM alone above all else; to seek building a relationship with Him. To know Him, love Him, spend time and converse with Him. And like Mary, desiring to take in His each and every Word (Duet.8:3 NIV).

Are women to remember their place and sit quietly at the feet of men? Or should they be allowed to Preach and teach as men do? I am by no means scholarly, nor theoretically well versed in the politics of this particular text. I leave that to my Brother The Apostle Paul and the great Theologians of our time. For our purposes, I believe the Lord clearly states that Mary, in her desire to be in a relationship with Him, and satisfy herself in Him alone, shows in this instance that she has chosen the better portion and will walk away refreshed and sated.

Neither woman was wrong in their worship of the Lord, though each demonstrated their devotion quite differently. I believe the deeper issue of what Jesus was communicating concerning Martha and Mary was one of a condition of the heart. The take-away, Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt.22:37 NLT).
Let me leave you to ponder an excerpt from, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary of our text. I believe you’ll find it to be not only eloquent, but more biblically sound…

“Here with respect to our Lord Jesus and right care of her household affairs (speaking of Martha). But there was something to be blamed. She was for much serving; plenty, variety, and exactness. Worldly business is a snare to us, when it hinders us from serving God, and getting good to our souls. What needless time is wasted, and expense often laid out, even in entertaining professors of the gospel! Though Martha was on this occasion faulty, yet she was a true believer, and in her general conduct did not neglect the one thing needful. The favour of God is needful to our happiness; the salvation of Christ is needful to our safety. Where this is attended to, all other things will be rightly pursued. Christ declared, Mary hath chosen the good part. For one thing is needful, this one thing that she has done, to give up herself to the guidance of Christ. The things of this life will be taken away from us, at the furthest, when we shall be taken away from them; but nothing shall separate from the love of Christ, and a part in that love. Men and devils cannot take it away from us, and God and Christ will not. Let us mind the one thing needful more diligently.”

In order for us to truly live out the royal command, “love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27 NIV; James 2:NIV), we must understand it in context. Jesus is calling not only the glib lawyer from our text, but each of us, to first love the Lord your God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, and then… love our neighbor. Christ is calling us to expand our love language, to follow his model of sacrificial loving; exemplified by His eager submission to the Father’s will, even unto death on the cross. Jesus’ ministry was one of a living illustration, as such, we too must be willingly to follow His example and submit our will and ways to the Lord. Allowing for Him to change our hearts and equip us to love those outside of our immediate circles; put another way, those we choose to love, those we feel are deserving our love.

But this is not the way God instructs us to love and certainly not the way Jesus taught us. “Do for others as I have done for you” (John 13:1-17, excerpt). God is a God of order; first we must love Him. Then secondly, through our act of submissive want to please Him, He lovingly transforms us so that others may experience His love. Without Him this is impossible to accomplish this in our own strength. Even the most submitted of us after a time, have the potential to become weary in well-doing, too selfish to sustain aiding our neighbor. We need a heart transplant, as described in Ezekiel 36:26.
The Redemptive, Restorative work of Jesus is mirrored beautifully in this parable used by Jesus to illustrate, both then and now, the broad-scope of who our neighbor truly is.

The Good Samaritan as the allusion of Jesus…

#1. We each are now or once were the wounded man on Jericho’s treacherous and hostile road; “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Rom. 3:23 NLT).
#2. And Christ, the Good Samaritan comes and reaches down across time and eternity to minister to us. Pouring into our beaten up, half dead bodies, the oil of Spirit and the New Wine of His Shed Blood as our redemptive and restorative covering (Jn.3:16 NIV).
#3. He carries us and pays the price to the Innkeeper for our stay (1Cor. 7:23NLT).
#4. He states He will return and pay any future debt (Heb. 9:28ESV).
The enemy of our soul’s however, is referred to by Jesus as, the thief that comes to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10 ESV). The robbers on the Jericho road, taking all the man had, is a prevue of Satan who comes to rob us of all that the Father desires to freely give us…“Life more abundantly.”

As Christians, we are not recommended to obey this law, we are commanded to live it out daily. And this command to enlarge our love language from loving only those who love us, to loving our enemies, is of such eternal significance that Jesus wraps it around every  commandment; not by eliminating them, but by expanding our capacity  to love through His example (Matthew 5:17). This lawyer was familiar with the laws found in Leviticus 19:9-18. He knew the Torah and was skilled in Jewish tradition, that is clearly implied within the dialogue between himself and Jesus (Luke 1:25-28). So too are many in our churches today familiar with the religious rites and rituals, are able to recite the cannons and by-laws, know the Ecumenical Calendar like their own name, but have not love of neighbor in their stone-cold hearts. I know I have certainly had to hit my knees on many an occasion asking the Lords forgiveness for not living out this command.

In explaining this command to the lawyer, the crowd, and to us today, Jesus used a parable. We know it as the parable of the Good Samaritan. For anyone versed in the Bible, it is hard not to see the irony of Jesus’ choice in using this particular group of people. The Jews and Samaritans hated each other; they were lifelong enemies. The Samaritans thought they had the one true religion and served the one true god and the Jews defended God and Judaism as the only true religion and He, as the Only God. Looking to Scripture we become witnesses to how the Jews insulted Jesus by accusing Him of being both a Samaritan and demon-possessed!(Jn.8:48) This will help us to get handle on just how deeply the hatred between these two people’s went. To put this in modern context, think of how the majority of the world regards and reacts towards Muslims today. Seldom are distinctions drawn, Muslim equals ISIS and Isis equals terrorists and terrorists equal death.  And there is some truth in all of this, but as with Jesus, most certainly not all! This age-old debate over who is our neighbor precedes the parables lawyer, just look to the Old Testament for confirmation. It is filled with story after story of one group fearing or hating another, and seeking their extinction.

That in mind, let’s fast forward to any-street U.S.A. When faced with our neighbor, will we choose to love them as commanded, or seek to get them and anything associated with them as far from us and ours as we can? (Rom. 12:9) And further still, do we even know how to love as commanded (1 Cor.13:4-13)? Lastly, do our feelings have anything to do with His command? (1 John 4:19) It’s a theoretically loaded question forcing us to examine our hearts and thinking, asking ourselves, do I really love the Lord as I am commanded to do? And truth is, if we know the Lord, we know that answer or are learning it, and it’s a resounding NO! “For all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” We are sinners saved by grace bruising each other in our imperfect attempts at love. How then can we give to another something we don’t possess? If we are not willing to surrender our will and desire for our, my way or the highway thinking how will we ever love another flawed, mere mortal? How do we love the Syrian today seeking asylum in the United States? Wanting to live on our block? The Sunni Living in our neighborhood, next to our children and grandchildren? The Shiite who lives in the same town even! How do we tolerate living side by side with any Muslim today? We as a nation have become Muslim-phobic! like the lawyer in our passage, we too come to Jesus asking about our neighbor… but a Muslim Lord? What if he or she is a terrorist? What if they have Isis affiliations? Do I have to love them? Are they MY neighbor?

Yes. If we are living according to the Word of God.

Remember, when we said yes to the Lord we said bye-bye to being our own boss. Listen to the Prophet Jeremiah, “LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” (Jer.10:23-24). “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps” (Prov.16:9). God’s Word explicitly instructs us to trust Him in all of our ways (Pro.3:5-6). It is solely by the grace of God and in His strength that we are able to live out this type of love. If we weren’t capable, God would never had commanded us to! We must have open and willing hearts, we must truly trust in the Lords divine authority over our lives. We must believe His Word over our feelings and fears, the media, family and friends, or the general consensus of the masses. As a christian, we are called to come out and be separate from the world’s thinking and ways. We are to leave the things of the world behind us and lead by example, just as Jesus did. We are not to respond as either the priest or Levite in our text. Each knew what the right thing  to do was, but for unstated reason, they chose not to do it. Perhaps they were afraid? What if they stopped to help this half-dead man his same fate would befall them?

There’s a statement I read by Peter Singer that struck me. He states, “The cost of helping is often great, but to not offer aid is a moral failure.” In closing, allow me leave to pose this question…understanding I ask it first of myself; when you hear of or see those who differ from you, be it by color, religious beliefs, in intellect or  through intolerance—what is  our first or gut reaction? Let me make this personal, how do you treat those people? I’ll leave you here to  ponder, allowing for the Word of the Lord to minister to you… “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” (Matt. 5:43-48 NIV).

Do you remember where you were when The Holy One whispered, “Follow Me?

Throughout this series on The Book of Ruth, I’ve stated repeatedly that Boaz is the allusion of Christ and, Ruth representational of the bride He is coming to take to Himself. We see Christ mirrored once again in the actions of Boaz. Ruth did not choose Boaz in that, she made no unseemly or forward advance toward him, quite the contrary. Throughout chapters two and three we witness Boaz actively guiding Ruth consistently toward himself. Yes, her heart was open to receive him to, hence her bold move to lay at his feet in submission; yet without his acknowledgement of her, Ruth may have wandered into the field of another. Verse 8 of the second chapter has Boaz telling Ruth directly, “not to go to any other field to glean” but to stay there in his field where she will find favor and protection.

“I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

Doesn’t that sound remarkably like our loving Savior? He sends His Holy Spirit to woo us, with gentle purpose. He calls us back to Himself and away from danger; often long before we realize we are being wooed. Listen to Jesus’ words, “I no longer call you servants [(outsiders)], because a servant does not know his master’s business,” (John 15:15 NIV). Ruth went from servant to betrothed in one night on a threshing floor. Where did your life in Christ eternally change? Church? Driving…on a walk perhaps? Do you remember where you were when The Holy One whispered, follow me into your ear, and your heart melted within you? When He wrapped you within His eternal promises of Love (John 3:16), Faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23) and, Rock Solid Loyalty (2 Samuel 22:47)? As with Boaz toward Ruth, covering her with the corner of his cloak, so Jesus sealed you to Himself through His shed blood and, a vow that promises, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you,” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).

“We have a Savior in the now, and His Living Holy Spirit Present with us in our every moment…”

The last verse of chapter two has Naomi reassuring Ruth that Boaz will not rest until he fulfills his promise to her, bringing this unnamed nearer kinsman, or coming himself for her. Thankfully for us there is no other to wait for. There is no other name under Heaven by which we are saved, but the name of Jesus. We don’t have to wait on some future kinsman, person, ritual, or promise of a utopia to come. We have a Savior in the now and, His living Holy Spirit presence with us in our every moment. Christ, the only sinless one who willingly laid down His temporal life to offer us life eternal with the Father. Boaz keeps his promise to Ruth mirroring the promises Our Lord made to us. He finds this nearer kinsman of Elimelech and Naomi, and ask him to come and sit, then he assembles ten elders to sit with them as witnesses in the gate of the city. (A place where judicial matters were resolved by the elders, and men of respect gathered and listened on, a city council of sorts). According to the Law of Moses, all transactions or accusations of wrong doing must be attested to by two or three witnesses or ‘it’ was not considered valid. Listen to how this is stated in the Old Testament, “One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses,” (Deuteronomy 19:15 NIV). And in the New Testament Paul is speaking and repeats the law given in Deuteronomy to the Corinthians on sin that is taking place among them and the punishment that was to result. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses,” (Deuteronomy 13:1 NIV). So why ten elders and all these others witnesses?

“The Fate of the Three Strand Cord of Boaz, Ruth and, Naomi was sealed…”

Once Boaz had the attention of the nearer kinsman as well as this great cloud of witnesses he made public why he has gathered them. He stated in their hearing that Naomi had returned from Moab and must sell her land as a result of both her husband and both sons having died. Boaz suggest to the unnamed Kinsman that his being Elimelech’s closer relative, should redeem the property from Naomi; but, he also states that if this kinsman should decide against it. He then would redeem it. Notice here that in Boaz’ entire telling Ruth’s name is not yet mentioned. It’s only when the nearer kinsman stated he would redeem the land to add to his existing estate that Boaz finally told him that to do so meant redeeming Ruth as well. Ruth had as much at stake in the outcome of the kinsman’s decision as Naomi. More, as she was in love with Boaz and He with her and, she would be legally bound to this stranger. So why did Boaz mention her in as a seeming afterthought? Was it intentional? Is it perhaps his heart sunk when the kinsman said he would redeem the land, knowing all chances of marrying Ruth would be gone? He knew this kinsman would then have Ruth, and had to be responsible to insure the name and line of her dead husband were maintained. Maybe some shadow fell across the unnamed kinsman’s face. Maybe it was that one second of hesitation in his speech that gave wings to Boaz’ hopes and heart. And with the last words spoken by this unnamed kinsman the fate of the Three Strand Cord of Boaz, Ruth and, Naomi are sealed. “Then I cannot redeem it, (Nomi’s land) because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it for yourself. I cannot do it, buy it yourself,” (Ruth 4:6). At that he took off his sandal (as was custom to prove legal redemption or transfer of property) and handed it to Boaz finalizing his decision.

“Knowing his heart was bound to his material wealth and the enticements of this world…”

Through the unknown kinsman’s action we catch a glimpse of the world and some of its thinking. When he thought there were no strings attached and gain was his in the redeeming of a widow’s property, he was all for it. People in the world treat, our Lord, and faith in Him this way also. They don’t necessarily always have bad things to say about either, they’ll even acknowledge they believe in God, faith, and the tenants of their denomination. Yet, when it comes to committing themselves to this God that may require something of them, that may ask them for something as opposed to always giving something over to them, the tables turn quickly. Some act like our unnamed kinsman and the Rich Young Man found in Matthew Chapter 19. Jesus offered this young man the opportunity to follow Him knowing his hypocrisy, knowing his heart was bound to his material wealth and the enticements of this world. Sound familiar? Jesus knew the young man ignored the question of why it was He called Jesus good, and rebuke him stating, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me,” (Matthew 19:21 NIV). Notice the consistency in scripture, how aptly it applies to the unnamed kinsman, The Rich Young Man and to those in the world today… Jesus states in Matthew, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money,” (Matthew 6:24). So, our unnamed kinsman walked away. As did The Rich Young Man, and so do many today. For the price they must pay to follow Christ is simply too high. But not for Boaz.  All those under the sound of his voice heard his pledge, “You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon. Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabites, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so that the name of the deceased will not be cut off from his brothers or from the court of his birth place; you are witnesses today,” (Ruth 4:9-10).

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”

This is the transparent expression of those whose hearts are pure. Set on serving the Lord with integrity, transparency, and uprightness. But as with Boaz and the unnamed kinsman we too must choose, Christ’s way or the worlds? There is no middle ground. Listen to Jesus’ words, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me,” (Luke 11:23 NIV). It’s not any man’s opinion, it’s God’s word. Boaz chose the better way and, as a result of their union Obed was born, a blessing to Naomi in her old age as well as to his parents. Obed was the father of Jesse who was the father of David, a man after God’s own heart, and from his line the Messiah is born in a stable—Consider all that this small Book has taught us. I will turn and leave you with the word until we meet again… “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD,” (Joshua 24:15 NIV).

“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

The last verse of Ruth speaks so plainly to us of the God we serve. He truly knows our ever need and longs to provide for those He loves. Verse 22 of Chapter 1 tells us in part, Ruth the Moabites, her daughter-in-law, arrives in Bethlehem (House of Bread) as the barley harvest was beginning. Look at our Lords faithfulness to those who seek Him with humility and their whole heart. Both Ruth and Naomi have been traveling from Moab to Bethlehem some 30-60 miles over rugged terrain; approximately 7 to 10 days traveling by foot to make this journey back into what appears to be an ambiguous situation. But God has gone before them and made a way where there was no way for these two faithful servants much like that described by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:13-14, “It is God who is at work in you to both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” God was about to show Himself strong to the recent convert in Ruth, and as both El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient, All-Bountiful God found in Genesis 17:1-2, and to both women He comes as Jehovah Jireh, Yahweh-Yireh… The Lord Will Provide, referenced by Abraham on the mount. And that was the plan of God for these two women and He would use Boaz, Naomi’s kinsman through her husband’s Elimelech royal line. Through this triune relationship we will see the words spoken in Ecclesiastes 4:12 manifested. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

“Ruth is a type of the Bride of Christ.”

In verse 2 we hear Ruth, the one who has left all behind, forsaken family, country and home ask in complete submission, if she in essence may lower herself to the status of a beggar. She says to Naomi, “May I go and to the fields and pick up the grain behind anyone in whose eyes I may find favor.” She had no idea being a foreigner and gentile that what she was asking was her right as stated in (Leviticus 23:22). When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. Leave it for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the LORD your God.” Imagine what is going on in Naomi’s mind, she has done all she could to dissuade this young woman to leave her. But Ruth’s steadfast love and devotion knows no bounds, certainly no shame. She clings with all she has to her beloved, Ruth is a type of the Bride of Christ, one that must leave all to follow His call. One who must humble themselves and come as a child in faith believing, leaving all behind and cleaving only to The Beloved, Christ Jesus our Lord. And in recognition of her devotion and love Naomi concedes and gives her blessing for Ruth to go and glean. As Divine order and intervention would have it Ruth ends up in the fields owned by Boaz, kinsman to her deceased husband from the line of Elimelech, Naomi’s husband.

“Love is patient; love is kind; it does not envy or boast.”

Do you see the Words spoken 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 taking on life and form amid Ruth’s willingness to humble herself in love determining Naomi as greater than herself and her need far more prevalent than Ruth’s own? “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” What would have become of our Noami had Ruth, like Orpha, walked away from her returning back to her country and family? We will never know the answer because our God knows the hearts of men. He knew, seeing the heart of man and not his outward appearance, that Ruth’s heart was pure. And straightaway in Chapter two we see our Lord showing himself faithful as Jehovah Jireh. When you read this text it is implied that Naomi doesn’t know what to expect when she returns to Bethlehem. She left a woman of prominence and stature in her community, but returns with no husband, no sons, no possessions and a foreigner in tow as a daughter-in law. You just know that the town is a buzz! The women are most likely tripping over themselves to get a look at Naomi and this strange woman with her.

Do you see her?

So thin isn’t she?

Yes, and bringing nothing with her, אוּמלָל יְצוּר [poor thing].

That’s what their outward whispers were saying, but inside God heard: Huh! Her and that husband of hers got what they deserved, El (God) smote them for leaving their people during the famine, serves her right! Little did they know that is exactly how Naomi felt. She carried the unseen burden of weight commonly known to us as guilt. And she carried not only hers, but her dead husbands and sons as well. It’s okay to eaves drop we’re all family here. Don’t take my word listen for yourself, it’s okay to ease drop, we’re all family here. “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” (Ruth 1:20).  See what I mean about the weight of her guilt? It’s as though she read their minds. But lets not forget Ruth, there she is talking to Boaz in the corner of his field. He is telling her not to leave his field, to stay with his servant girls. He has seen she is no common gleaner who come as much for gossip and a bit of begging as they do for the left behind grain. But not our Ruth, she carries herself proudly, after all she represents her mother-in law, though she doesn’t mention Naomi to Boaz out of concern for her mother-in laws reputation. She heard those catty villagers and she’ll not take part with their like. Besides, Boaz is the first kindness she has witness since entering Bethlehem and to be offered potential friendships with his servants and protection from the coarse and insolent pickers is of great comfort to her. And now he’s offering me a foreigner who does not know his God to drink from the same cistern as those who are Hebrew, as he himself! And with that last act of kindness Ruth falls to Boaz feet to show her gratitude as servant and to question why he is favoring her so. In Boaz’s reply we know that he too has not only taken in all that his foreman ha told him of Ruth, but meeting and speaking with her himself he has read between the lines to unearth a heart that is pure love, devoted to her beloved mother-in-law, strong, of great character and integrity. Listen to his words, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know. May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge,” (Ruth 2:11-12 [Paraphrase]).

“But it was not sufficient for our Precious Saviour to give just enough.”

Now listen to her reply, “I have found favor in your sight, my lord, for you have comforted me and indeed have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants,” (Ruth 2:13). They are at the evening meal now and Boaz dips a piece of bread in wine vinegar and hands it to Ruth. Do you hear our Saviour’s words here? The Last Super, Jesus is talking to His disciples, listen… Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins,” (1 Corinthians 11:24). Neither of them could have realized the significance of that moment. Not Boaz his in his action, which represented the breaking of His Perfect Body for us as sinners, which He freely offered for the forgiveness of our sins and to offer us reconciliation with the Father. Listen to how the psalmist speak of this favor of the Lord, “The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever. But it was not sufficient for our Precious Saviour to give just enough, after all, our God is who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever,” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

“Where promises are made and lives changed in the blinking of an eye!”

This chapter comes to end with Ruth heading home after a full day in the fields, head spinning with joy over the kindnesses shown her by Boaz and his maids servants and the unimaginable favor lavished on her, a foreigner… the Word tells us she gleaned approximately 3/5 of a bushel or the weight of 5-6 gallons. And let’s not forget that she also brought with her, her left over lunch of bread and roasted grains! She tells Naomi all about her experience with Boaz and finds out that he is their kinsman redeemer! Naomi is seeing the start of something greater than she could have hoped for happening…She is very familiar with the responsibilities of a kinsman redeemer. She tells Ruth to follow what Boaz has instructed her and stay close to him and those who are close to him. And in yet another allusion to Christ she comments, “That He has not stopped showing kindness to the living and the dead,” (Ruth 2:20).

Come back next week as we continue to follow this three strand cord to the threshing floor. Where promises are made and lives changed in the blinking of an eye!