Lost the Awe (The Gospel Coalition Blog)[1]

Posted: 29 Jan 2012 08:02 PM PST

“Truly God is good to Israel . . . ” (Psalm 73:1closePsalm 73:1 Book Three God Is My Strength and Portion Forever A Psalm of Asaph. 73:1 Truly God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart. (ESV) closePsalm 73:1closePsalm 73:1 Book Three God Is My Strength and Portion Forever A Psalm of Asaph. 73:1 Truly God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart. (ESV) Book Three God Is My Strength and Portion Forever A Psalm of Asaph. 73:1 Truly God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart. (ESV) ). I don’t think we have categories that get at what these words are saying. Pastor, these words can roll off your tongue so easily your mind barely has time to consider their content. The danger is that these words have become so familiar and mundane they barely draw interest out of us, let alone awe. At breakfast you’ll say something like, “Wow, this cereal is good!” Or, “We had a good time at the park.” Or, “Let me tell you where to get a good cup of coffee.” Or, “Sam is really a good intern.” So maybe when we read that God is good, the worship transaction that is supposed to happen inside of us doesn’t happen anymore.

When you read the words “God is good,” your heart should be filled with wonder, gratitude, humility, and love, and this amazement should fuel your ministry. Or to capture what our response should be in one word: AWE. Now, this is where the problem lies: I am convinced that many of us live and do ministry day after day without any awe whatsoever. We live days, maybe even weeks, without wonder and amazement even in gospel ministry. What should stun us doesn’t stun us any more. What should leave us in silent, amazed worship has become so familiar it barely gets our attention in clutter of all the other things in ministry that command our attention. We walk through our daily ministries without an overwhelming sense of gratitude. We don’t notice the glory displayed all around us that points us to the one glory that is truly glorious: the glory of God. No, we see:

the worship leader who thinks he’s the senior pastor,

the mission conference details to be planned,

competitive ministry leaders who are fighting once again,

the intern who has messed up,

the hard elder,

too much traffic,

another long meeting to attend,

the car that needs repair,

the movie we have to see,

the blogs we can’t live without,

the cool restaurant we can’t wait to visit,

the sabbatical around the corner,

the deacon who is mad once again,

the busy holiday season that quickly approaches,

the garage that is too full to house the car anymore,

the perennial financial problems at church,

the weight we didn’t mean to gain,

the ministry dreams that are slipping through our fingers. . .

For sinners, the road between awe and complaining is very short. You and I were created to live our lives in the shadow of awe. Every word we speak, every action we take, every decision we make, and every desire we entertain was meant to be colored by awe. We were meant to live and minister with eyes gazing upward and outward. We were meant to live with hearts that are searching, hungry, seeking satisfaction, and being satisfied. Bad things happen when pastors lose their sense of awe. Bad things happen in ministry when we have no wonder inside of us. Bad things happen in local church leadership when we are no longer amazed. Bad things happen when we look around and nothing impresses us anymore.

Filling the Void

Sins robs that sense of divine wonder meant to shape every person’s life and every pastor’s ministry. When it does, you look for ways to fill the void. Now think about it: if you are not getting your wonderment vertically—that is, from the Creator—then you will look for it somewhere in the creation. You will be shopping for the buzz of wonder where it simply cannot be found. Your friends and family cannot give you the awe you seek. That new restaurant will blow you away, but it won’t introduce you to the heart-satisfying wonder of God.

That new car will make you happy for a while, but it doesn’t have the capacity to fill your soul with glory. That certain ministry success will not satisfy your heart.

The Psalmist here gets at the dilemma in a single word: good. You’re looking for pure, unadulterated, imperishable, unending, and unfailing good, because you’re wired that way. Even as a ministry leader, you’re looking for the kind of good that can lift you out of your boredom and quiet your longings. And that good can only be found one place: God. God is good in every possible way. He is good in righteousness. He is good in power. He is good in grace. He is good in his faithfulness. He is good in mercy. He is good in holiness. He is good in justice. He is good in his rule. All his words are good and true. All his actions are good and right. When he is angry, he is good. When he preserves life, he is good. When he takes life, he is good. When his words are hard, they are good. When his words are gentle, they are good. His promises are good. His provisions are good. His plan is good. In all of the universe, you can only say this about God: he is good all the time and in every way.

Everything Else Flawed

Nothing in creation is like him. Everything around us is flawed in some way. Even before the Fall, no glory in creation compared to the glory of the Creator. But even in ministry, sin has the power to make blind us to the glory of God.

Sadly, awe of God is quickly replaced by awe of you. It is a danger to every one in ministry, that we would live and minister too impressed with us and not nearly in the kind of awe of God that should grip us.

No, it is not too good to be true. There really is a God who is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, who is the sum and definition of all that is good, true, and loving. He is not only good, but he also places his goodness on us! Not because we will ever deserve it in any way, but simply because he is good, gracious, loving, and kind.

Think about it. The One who is the sum and definition of all that is truly good has placed his goodness on people like you and me, people who even in ministry get numbed by busyness and familiarity. Now that’s a reason for AWE! Remember, that’s good news that is not to good to be true, even when the daily rigors of ministry are distracting and hard.

When he opened his eyes, the other man asked, “Do you have a headache?” Ironside replied, “No I don’t.” The other man asked, “Well, is there something wrong with your food?” Ironside replied, “No, I was simply thanking God as I always do before I eat.”

The man said, “Oh, you’re one of those, are you? Well, I want you to know I never give thanks. I earn my money by the sweat of my brow and I don’t have to give thanks to anyone when I eat. I just start right in!” Ironside said, “Yes, you’re just like my dog. That’s what he does too!”

So, are we more like the pastor or more like his dog? Today I want to talk about the attitude of gratitude. There is a fascinating episode in the Bible which relates to gratitude. In Luke 17:11-19closeLuke 17:11-19 Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers 11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (ESV) closeLuke 17:11-19closeLuke 17:11-19 Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers 11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (ESV) Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers 11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (ESV) , Jesus was entering into a village where He was met with 10 people suffering from leprosy, a horrible disease. When these 10 lepers saw Jesus, they cried out to Him for mercy. Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priests (because the priests are the ones who were given authority to certify if someone was healed from leprosy).

And as they were going, they were healed (miraculously by Jesus). One of the 10, when he realized he was healed was so overwhelmed by gratitude that he turned back and fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked Him. Jesus remarked, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?” But Jesus said to the one who did return, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Two interesting observations from this incident. First observation: it always amazes me that only 1 person returned to thank Jesus. I mean can you imagine if you had leprosy or AIDS or cancer and Jesus healed you? Why wouldn’t you at least thank Him? The Bible does not explain why, but at least one reason I can think of is perhaps they felt they deserved being healed rather than seeing this as God’s incredible mercy towards them.

We are very much like the 9 lepers. We often think we deserve good things, even better things. Better parents. Better siblings. Better families. Better classes. Better teachers. Better schools. We fail to thank God for His incredible mercy towards us. That we live in Singapore, free from many natural disasters, political turmoil, riots, wars, racial prejudice. That we can go to schools to learn without the fear of being gunned down. That we can play on fields without land-mines going off. When was the last time you were thankful to God for His blessings?

Second observation: Jesus made a remark to the one who returned, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” But wasn’t the leper already healed before he came back? Why make a redundant statement? Except that Jesus was not referring to physical healing, but spiritual. 10 lepers were healed physically but only 1 was healed spiritually.

You see, one of the marks of a true Christian is gratitude. We are grateful that Jesus died for our sins and by believing in Him, we have eternal life. And if we truly believe that, then there is no greater gift in life than we could receive. That’s why a true Christian can say, even if I have nothing else in this world, I have Jesus. And Jesus is more than enough.

So my friends, be grateful. When you step into class today, thank your teachers. When you go home today, thank your parents. But most of all, if you are Christians, remember to thank God for Jesus. Today, have the attitude of gratitude. [Let’s pray]

Luke 7:1-10closeLuke 7:1-10 Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant 7:1 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well. (ESV) closeLuke 7:1-10closeLuke 7:1-10 Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant 7:1 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well. (ESV) Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant 7:1 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well. (ESV)

This well known episode records a centurion who had a servant who was sick and was in need of healing. Most of the time, I’ve heard the moral of the story is having faith in Jesus, which isn’t untrue. Jesus did commend the centurion for his faith. But there’s something deeper going on here.

There is a contrast which we’re meant to pick up on. It’s between two phrases; “He is worthy…” (v.4) and “I am not worthy…” (v.6). The elders were essentially saying because the centurion has been “good”, he was worthy of Jesus doing something for him. The centurion himself recognized he deserved nothing.

Good works verses grace. Legalism verses gospel. When we understand the gospel, when we understand the grace of God, we will live our lives not trying to be good in order to get God to do things for us. We will live our lives instead grateful for the grace of God already given to us, knowing we did not deserve it. And yet, because we understand the grace of God, we still boldly come before God with our requests (like the centurion did) knowing His Father’s heart of love for us.

Without a planning retreat, I must confessed that I struggled with this fearing that I may be “forced” to think of something humanly-speaking.

But, the only natural and spiritual thing to do is to tell God my struggles and my concerns, especially the theme for 2012.

On Christmas Day, I was pleasantly surprised that just before getting up (with great difficulties due to a strained back) the words came into my mind and spirit : Step Up & Step Out, In Faith!

Immediately, the revelation expanded.

CHS members are to step up in faith in whatever level of faith they are in; whether in giving, whether in trusting, whether in learning, whether in loving, whether in serving, etc. etc. and to step out in faith to the community and oversea missions. Wow! God is good!

So, I am submitting to you that our theme for 2012 will be “STEP UP & STEP OUT, IN FAITH!” and my sermon this Sunday will be the start of the series of sermons throughout 2012 in unpacking this directive from God.

The corresponding key verse for our 2012 theme will be from 2 Corinthians 5:7close2 Corinthians 5:7 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. (ESV) close2 Corinthians 5:7close2 Corinthians 5:7 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. (ESV) 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. (ESV) “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

May God lead us to new level of faith and trust and to experience His power at work in our lives and the lives of our members.

Rev. Michael Teh

As I was spending time with God in the last few moments of 2011, I was asking my focus should be in 2012. I thought about what people would be posting on their Facebook accounts in a few moments time; new year resolutions would no doubt be quite prominent.

The verse from Revelation 21:5closeRevelation 21:5 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (ESV) closeRevelation 21:5closeRevelation 21:5 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (ESV) 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (ESV) came to my mind, the words of Jesus, “Behold, I am making all things new…” (incidentally my wedding verse). The burden upon my heart was that whilst making resolutions may be helpful, ultimately, the only agent of real change is Jesus. We make and break promises, resolutions, commitments all the time. But thanks be to God, His promise, His commitment to His people is unfailing.

The application is both simple yet profound. Simple because it entails trust, faith. Profound because it’s active trust, living faith. I am trusting God for His renewal in my life, my marriage, family, my ministry, my work etc. And because I believe, I will pray, I will rise up and work.

As I stepped into church for the 1st service of 2012, Pastor Simon Murphy began service by quoting from, guess what, Revelation 21:5closeRevelation 21:5 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (ESV) closeRevelation 21:5closeRevelation 21:5 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (ESV) 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (ESV) . And his exhortation was precisely the burden of my heart. God is the One whom we trust for change, renewal. There is but One foundation, One Savior, One hope that will not fail us… His name is Jesus.

Exactly a week ago, I woke up to the news on my MacBook Air, “Steve Jobs is dead.” Steve Jobs, I’m sure most of you will know, is the co-founder of Apple Computer. Within hours, the news was filled with tributes to the man, facebook updates, tweets were being sent out from around the world appreciating his achievements and mourning his passing. He left behind Apple Inc. the largest tech company in the world. What a man.

Of the many things one could say about Steve Jobs, the word “visionary” comes quickly to mind. He was a visionary. One of the most powerful verses in the Bible I know has to do with vision. Let me read it for you. Proverbs 29:18closeProverbs 29:18 18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
but blessed is he who keeps the law. (ESV) closeProverbs 29:18closeProverbs 29:18 18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
but blessed is he who keeps the law. (ESV) 18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
but blessed is he who keeps the law. (ESV) , “Where there is no prophetic vision, the people cast off restraint.”

Do you have a vision for your life? A focus? A goal? An aim? Because if you don’t, then you will be unrestrained, unfocussed, unmotivated. You will waste your life living for frivolous things. A vision will empower you to overcome obstacles, persevere though tough times. Tough times, for some of you, may mean studies, the examinations you are currently going through.

Steve Jobs had a vision for his life that enabled him to overcome tremendous challenges. I think it’s best summed up by a tribute to him by Jonathan Moss. He says, “Steve Jobs was born out of wedlock, put up for adoption at birth, dropped out of college, then changed the world. What’s your excuse?” What’s your excuse, indeed.

When Steve Jobs dropped out of college because his tuition fees were eating into his adopted parents’ life savings, he decided to continue dropping into the classes that interested him. He had to sleep on the floor of friend’s rooms because he didn’t have a room. He would return coke bottles for 5 cents to buy food with. But he said that one of the courses he attended would influence the design of the very first Macintosh computer and every computer that followed. His vision for life and learning changed our world. What’s your vision for life?

But there is one more thing I want to share this morning. You see, as great as Steve Jobs was, and as much as he has changed our world… his influence is only for this lifetime. The products that we use, iPods, iPhones, iPads, MacBooks… we can only use them in this lifetime. So the Bible puts it this way in a parable that Jesus told in Luke 12closeLuke 12 Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees 12:1 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. Have No Fear 4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Acknowledge Christ Before Men 8 “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, 9 but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” The Parable of the Rich Fool 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to spanide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Do Not Be Anxious 22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. You Must Be Ready 35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” 41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. Not Peace, but Division 49 “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather spanision. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five spanided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be spanided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Interpreting the Time 54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? Settle with Your Accuser 57 “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.” (ESV) closeLuke 12closeLuke 12 Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees 12:1 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. Have No Fear 4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Acknowledge Christ Before Men 8 “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, 9 but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” The Parable of the Rich Fool 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to spanide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Do Not Be Anxious 22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. You Must Be Ready 35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” 41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. Not Peace, but Division 49 “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather spanision. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five spanided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be spanided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Interpreting the Time 54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? Settle with Your Accuser 57 “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.” (ESV) Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees 12:1 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. Have No Fear 4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Acknowledge Christ Before Men 8 “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, 9 but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” The Parable of the Rich Fool 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to spanide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Do Not Be Anxious 22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. You Must Be Ready 35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” 41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. Not Peace, but Division 49 “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather spanision. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five spanided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be spanided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Interpreting the Time 54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? Settle with Your Accuser 57 “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.” (ESV) .

“The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.

My friends, having a vision for your life is important. It keeps you focussed, disciplined. It will help you not to waste your life. But far more important that that is to know that success is not about having things here on earth, but a relationship with God because that lasts for eternity.

When we think of Christmas, we think of gifts, of sharing, of love. As Christians, we keep the tradition of remembering the birth of Christ. “Silent night, holy night…” we sing. But do you know what? That very first Christmas was anything but silent, anything but peaceful. That first century Israel that Jesus was born into was a mess. Politically. Religiously. And that, paradoxically, is good news.

Jesus entered into our world of chaos. He identified with the pains, sorrows and sufferings of our race. Immanuel, God with us. Christmas reminds us that Jesus is with us not merely in the good times, but supremely in the bad. This season, as we celebrate Christmas, may Jesus be the light that shines in our hearts to give us true joy, true peace; not dependent on our circumstances.

And as He does so, may we also share of the hope in us. The hope of the world cannot be found in anything or anyone else. But Jesus is the hope of our world. He is after all, “making all things new.” Rev 21:1-5closeRevelation 21:1-5 The New Heaven and the New Earth 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (ESV) closeRevelation 21:1-5closeRevelation 21:1-5 The New Heaven and the New Earth 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (ESV) The New Heaven and the New Earth 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (ESV)

Introduction

When we hear the words “Love Story”, what comes to mind?  For my generation, perhaps it would be any movie starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan – like Sleepless in Seattle. In my opinion, one of the greatest and most famous love stories would be that of Romeo and Juliet.

Because for the young people today, when I say “Love Story” you’d perhaps think of a song by Taylor Swift. A song based on the story of Romeo and Juliet except this time, instead of dying together, Ms Taylor Swift has re-written the ending! Romeo talks to Juliet’s father and they are allowed to get married!

What a fairy tale ending! You  know that when something is called a Fairy Tale Ending, it is because its not supposed to be real.

What makes a fairy tale? It usually begins “Once upon a time” and it usually ends with “And they lived happily ever after”.  In the end, Love triumphs over all obstacles and the Prince and the Princess live happily ever after.  It’s a love story, baby just say Yes! And everything will all work out.

But in real life, after the dream wedding, the Truth or Reality is that there are many unhappy moments in ‘ever after’.  We have been conditioned to think of love stories with fairy tale endings as myths, short moments of escape from the harsh realities of this life where we can glimpse some moments of happiness.

About Ruth

Today, we are going to look at a love story. A Love Story between a woman and her mother-in-law (see? Bet you are thinking – There’s the fairy tale already!), a poor woman and a rich landowner, a gentleman in conduct and character. But most important of all, a love story that speaks of a God who is merciful and rescues the destitute.

Except the book of Ruth is NOT just a love story with a fairy tale ending. It’s not. It’s part history.

As we jump into the story, it would help if you have a bible handy. Turn to the book of Ruth and read each chapter as we go along so you can get a full grasp of the story.

Ruth: A Love Story

This story unfolds in 4 acts like Shakespearean play.  In the interest of time, I will have to summarize this story according to its major themes in each chapter.

Chapter One: Sets the background and introduces us to Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth.  It is the time of the Judges where every man did what was right in his own eyes, there was no king. It was a dark time and when a famine occurred, Naomi’s husband decided to move the family to Moab, a neighbouring country and Israel’s enemy.  But tragedy follows and Elimelech, Naomi’s husband dies. Ten years after her sons get married, they also die leaving 3 widows behind.

By this time, Israel has recovered from the famine and Naomi decides to go back home to Bethlehem.  But her daughters-in-law were young and she wanted them to re-marry so that they could have a proper life.

Ruth 1:8closeRuth 1:8 8 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother's house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. (ESV) closeRuth 1:8closeRuth 1:8 8 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother's house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. (ESV) 8 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother's house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. (ESV) Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Listen to me! Each of you should return to your mother’s home!²²May the Lord show²³ you²⁴the same kind of devotion that you have shown to your deceased husbands²⁵ and to me!²⁶ 1:9 May the Lord enable each of you to find²⁷ security²⁸ in the home of a new husband!”²⁹

In those days, women had no rights except under a Man’s covering – a Father or Husband.  Widows relied on their sons.  So the situation was desperate for Naomi because she was now destitute and she did not want her daughters-in-law to suffer with her.

But in a scene worthy of a Taiwanese drama, the 2 daughters-in-law refuse to leave Naomi and they weep loudly but eventually, the daughter-in-law named Orpah is persuaded to turn back.

However, in 1:16 Ruth replied, “Stop urging me to abandon you! For wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you live, I will live. Your people will become my people, and your God will become my God. Wherever you die, I will die – and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I do not keep my promise! Only death will be able to separate me from you!”

Doesn’t it remind you of ‘Till death do us part’?  So these 2 grieving widows return to Israel.

Chapter 2: The act begins in Bethlehem where Ruth goes out to pick grain in the fields so that they have something to eat.  God gave Israel a law commanding them to leave the stalks of grain that fall out of their bundles of harvest on the ground so that those who are poor, those who have no inheritance, those who are foreigners can pick up the grain to eat.

This is a dangerous activity for a young woman.  Because the workers in the fields are mostly men and a young widow with no husband to protect her, like Ruth was, could easily be violated.

And yet, it happened that Ruth ended up in a field belonging to a relative of Naomi’s husband.  His name was Boaz and although he was rich, since he owned land, he wasn’t a young man. When he found out that Ruth was working in his field, and that she was hard-working, he treated her kindly and even instructed his harvesters to pull out stalks of wheat and drop them so that Ruth can gather up more grain to bring home.

So our 2 lead characters have met and both have good impressions of the other.  Boaz probably only thought that Ruth was a good daughter to Naomi and Ruth probably thought Boaz was kind old man.  But Naomi knows that Boaz is a close relative, a guardian or kinsman redeemer.  So Ruth works in Boaz’s field everyday during the entire harvest season.

Chapter 3: By this time, Naomi has probably done some thinking and she decides Ruth should be properly married rather than remain socially unprotected.  So she instructs Ruth to approach Boaz and basically ask that he redeem her, meaning marry her.  Boaz understands what is required of him but there is an obstacle in the plan.  Someone else is a closer relative than Boaz and thus has first right of refusal.

If this was a movie, you know it’s approaching its climax.   Will Boaz and Ruth be able to get married? Stay Tuned for Chapter 4!

Chapter 4: Boaz meets the other guy, his ‘rival’ if you like, and gathers 10 of the city elders as witnesses to discuss the issue of Ruth and Naomi.  But Boaz is clever.  He starts off by talking about LAND. He says Naomi wants to sell the land that belongs to Elimelech her deceased husband and this ‘other guy’ has the right to it first.  And the other guy readily agrees.  Land is wealth!

Then Boaz springs the catch – “BUT! If you want the land, you gotta also marry Ruth and her children will share in your inheritance”.  Immediately the other guy says “oh, in that case, I pass. You can do the redeeming”.

And so Boaz confirms the decision in front of witnesses and legitimately marries Ruth.  And the Bible tells us in Ruth 4closeRuth 4 Boaz Redeems Ruth 4:1 Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. 3 Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. 4 So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.” 5 Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.” 6 Then the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.” 7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel. 8 So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal. 9 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. 10 Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.” 11 Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem, 12 and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman.” Ruth and Boaz Marry 13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. 17 And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. The Genealogy of David 18 Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, 19 Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, 20 Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, 21 Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, 22 Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David. (ESV) closeRuth 4closeRuth 4 Boaz Redeems Ruth 4:1 Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. 3 Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. 4 So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.” 5 Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.” 6 Then the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.” 7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel. 8 So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal. 9 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. 10 Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.” 11 Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem, 12 and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman.” Ruth and Boaz Marry 13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. 17 And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. The Genealogy of David 18 Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, 19 Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, 20 Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, 21 Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, 22 Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David. (ESV) Boaz Redeems Ruth 4:1 Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. 3 Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. 4 So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.” 5 Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.” 6 Then the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.” 7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel. 8 So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal. 9 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. 10 Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.” 11 Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem, 12 and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman.” Ruth and Boaz Marry 13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. 17 And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. The Genealogy of David 18 Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, 19 Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, 20 Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, 21 Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, 22 Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David. (ESV) that God blessed Boaz and Ruth and they have a son named Obed.

And they all lived happily ever after!

If the story ended at Ruth 4:16closeRuth 4:16 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. (ESV) closeRuth 4:16closeRuth 4:16 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. (ESV) 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. (ESV) , we could easily point to this story and say, our learning point for today is that if you are faithful and hard-working, God will bless you.  Or that married women should be like Ruth, a dutiful daughter-in-law who served her Mother-in-law so that God will bless you.  Or to the single ladies, be hard-working and compassionate toward others and God will bless you with a good husband, because men generally want their wives to be gentle and compassionate, not a princess who must be waited on hand and foot…

We could stop here but that would be MISSING THE POINT.

Because if we stay till the end of the movie… there’s more… V17 – 22 reveals to us that Ruth is the Great-grandmother of King David!

In fact, this Christmas connection is the greatest part of the love story.  Because here, we see how God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life!

Ruth: The Christmas Connection (Ruth 4:18closeRuth 4:18 The Genealogy of David 18 Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, (ESV) closeRuth 4:18closeRuth 4:18 The Genealogy of David 18 Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, (ESV) The Genealogy of David 18 Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, (ESV) – 22)

Boaz and Ruth’s great-grandson is King David.  Who is called the Son of David?

(Matthew 1:1closeMatthew 1:1 The Genealogy of Jesus Christ 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (ESV) closeMatthew 1:1closeMatthew 1:1 The Genealogy of Jesus Christ 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (ESV) The Genealogy of Jesus Christ 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (ESV) – 17)

Jesus is the greater Redeemer (like Boaz)

In order for Boaz to take action and redeem Ruth and Naomi, Ruth had to approach him.  Boaz probably did not want to be presumptuous, nor did he have a secret desire for Ruth.  In fact, he thought she was showing him kindness that she didn’t pick anyone younger! But once he understood what Ruth wanted, he knew what needed to be done.  Boaz did not delay getting it done.

So if Jesus is like Boaz, then who is RUTH in our real-world story? We are!

Once upon a time – before we believed in Jesus and made him our Lord and Redeemer, we were desolate and destitute.  We were so lost in sin; we were headed for ‘happily NEVER after’.

We were enemies of Christ, living life our own way, headed for destruction (Philippians 3:18closePhilippians 3:18 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. (ESV) closePhilippians 3:18closePhilippians 3:18 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. (ESV) 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. (ESV) – 19)

But Christ, unlike Boaz, our Redeemer has already paid the price.  He did not wait for us to draw near to Him before paying the price.  We now approach Jesus to receive the forgiveness and stamp of approval so that we can now be citizens of heaven and be in God’s presence where there is fullness of joy!

Our Scripture reading today tells us precisely that.  Since we have come to Jesus Christ, we are now a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God!

Once a upon a time, we were not a people, like Ruth, we were foreigners, without hope, without inheritance, without a future.  But we have received mercy from a God of love and now we belong to Him.  God has redeemed us through the Blood of Jesus Christ.

Thus believers all have a fairy tale ending to their lives because of Jesus Christ.  And Man will live forever more because of Christmas day.

The story of Ruth is again a picture of God’s love for us.

Conclusion

1. Out of a desperate situation, God brought salvation.

(Ruth: famine, death, destitution => redemption, restoration, restitution)

2. Out of a shameful past, God brought glory.

(Family tree of Perez – son of Tamar => King David => Jesus)

3. Out of love for us, God gave mercy.

Because of Jesus, we can be citizens of Heaven. (Philippians 3:20closePhilippians 3:20 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (ESV) closePhilippians 3:20closePhilippians 3:20 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (ESV) 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (ESV) )

However, there are people out there who have not responded, who have not heard.  1 Peter 2:9close1 Peter 2:9 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (ESV) close1 Peter 2:9close1 Peter 2:9 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (ESV) 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (ESV) reminds that God made us His people so that we may declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.  We need to go and share this love story of how God’s mercy is given to all who respond.

And today, if you have not yet believed on Jesus as Lord and Redeemer;  if you are still trying to write your life story on your own, hoping that you can finish with ‘happily ever after’, you need to know that sin in our lives prevents that.  The bible tells us that all have sinned and cannot meet God’s standard and the penalty is eternal separation from the presence of God.  We can try our hardest but we will never make it on our own.

Only Jesus can redeem us and bring us out of the slavery of sin and into citizenship of heaven.  Only Jesus can bring peace during the rocky times in this life.

You need to turn over your pen to God and allow Him to write your story. If you would allow the Author of life to write your story, you can be sure that ‘happily ever after’ is not ‘The End’ but the beginning of eternity in God’s presence and light.

A lesson from John 5closeJohn 5 The Healing at the Pool on the Sabbath 5:1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” Jesus Is Equal with God 18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. The Authority of the Son 19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. 25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. Witnesses to Jesus 30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (ESV) closeJohn 5closeJohn 5 The Healing at the Pool on the Sabbath 5:1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” Jesus Is Equal with God 18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. The Authority of the Son 19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. 25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. Witnesses to Jesus 30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (ESV) The Healing at the Pool on the Sabbath 5:1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” Jesus Is Equal with God 18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. The Authority of the Son 19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. 25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. Witnesses to Jesus 30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (ESV) .  By Benjamin Lee

It was during my devotion time one Saturday morning when I read John chapter 5.  It was a chapter I vaguely remembered because at time or another I would come across the events in this chapter.  But it was only this morning that I felt as if my eyes were opened for the first time.

The chapter begins with the healing pool by the Sheep gate on the Sabbath.  An angel of God will stir up the water of the pool and whoever gets in the water first, gets healed.  There is a multitude there and Jesus heals one man who has been sick for 38 years.  The man said that every time he wanted to get into the pool, someone would get in ahead of him.  Can you imagine how many times he missed getting into the water?

The Jews who were there saw this man carrying his bed.  In Jewish tradition, they have defined carrying your bed as work.  Since no work is to be done on the Sabbath, this man was breaking the Law.

Swiftly they pounced on the fellow and accused him of breaking the law. A miracle had just been performed and did they see it? No.  Since this man was obviously a Jew, he would have grown up learning the Law by heart.  Did it ever occur to the Jews to ask him WHY he was carrying his bed? Surely no Jew would be THAT rebellious as to defy the Law so blatantly! But no, they did not stop to think, to ask,  they were swift to accuse.

So the man explained what had happened.  The Jews turned on Jesus and found fault with him.  So Jesus told them that he had merely done what his Father had been doing.  Once again, the Jews were quick to find fault.  They spotted the blasphemy but failed to hear the truth in the words.  They were so sure of their Law that they knew Jesus was a great sinner to utter such blasphemy.  Yet, had they really known what their Law meant, they would have known that the Law and the Prophets all point to Jesus.  They were so quick to judge him that they missed the greatest miracle of all.  That they didn’t need to wait for the angel of God for healing because God had come down among them!

Unfortunately, they failed to see that.  That’s why Jesus went on to talk about God being the only one who can judge and leaving the Judgments to His Son.

Sometimes things happen in life that don’t seem right.  In fact, it may be a blatant error or wrong.  But then are we going to be like the Jews who were so quick to focus on the wrong and miss out on the miracle behind the event?

Let us remember that God is sovereign.  Nothing happens that is outside of His control.  If ALL things work for the good of those who love Christ, and we know they do, then, let’s not be so rigid to say that only the good things are of God.

Instead let us see the miracle that resulted from the wrong.