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This is the sermon podcast of Rivercrest Presbyterian Church in Lexington, South Carolina. Rivercrest is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).
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Ruth and Boaz marry and the Lord provides a son. The focus is now on Naomi, who was once bitter, is now holding her grandson. The women rejoice around her and the neighborhood celebrates, just as Christians today are to do. The Lord takes what is empty and makes it full. So even if our lives seem beyond repair, we look to Jesus, who comes from this lineage, to know that we are full in Him.
Ruth is being redeemed by Boaz in a seal of public display. Redeemed people are claimed people. And from redemption comes an overflow of joy. Christians today are to rejoice in the joy of their salvation and share the hope they have received from their Redeemer to the world.
Redemption always costs something. It's not clean or easy. And for Boaz it looks like legal action. He has weighed the responsibility and is ready to redeem if the nearer kinsman redeemer refuses. This unknown redeemer, concerned with earthly inheritance, isn't willing to pay the cost. By grace, we have a Redeemer in Jesus Christ, who gave up His inheritance in heaven to come pay the cost of redemption for us with His own life.
Ruth and Boaz exhibit faith in courageous action. Going to the threshing floor meant putting everything on the line, yet Ruth goes and makes a proposal to Boaz. In knowing he is a redeemer, they both understand the Lord's provision here, and the matter will be settled in the morning. These two point the greater love story of Christ our Redeemer sheltering us under His wings. However this life plays out, we are to be faithful, knowing that the Lord's faithfulness endures forever.
Naomi's attitude has gone from bitter to hopeful as she guides Ruth towards Boaz. Knowing he's a redeemer, Naomi encourages her daughter in law, and Ruth listens. Often God can feel distant, we can feel in the dark, but the Lord is always at work in His providence. Noting happens apart from His will and plan, even when we can't see it.
In ordinary ways, Ruth and Boaz are experiencing God's providential kindness. They both witness to others and to one another of the Lord's faithfulness. The redemption isn't just words or a rescue, but communion. By God's grace we don't glean on the outside but are welcomed to the table and into His family.
Ruth relies upon the Lord, knowing that those who follow His law will be a refuge for her. Boaz welcomes her into his fields and Ruth is able to glean from the extra grain. Both Boaz and Ruth are being obedient and faithful in their circumstance, and this will prove to be life-giving.
In hopelessness, but not rebellion, Naomi urges her daughters-in-law away from her and the Lord, and to return back to their old way of life in Moab. It is evident that this family was close and talked about the Lord. Orpah leaves, but Ruth in faith returns with her mother-in-law and encourages her. God always meets us in the return, and gives us fellow believers to remind us of His great love and care.
The book of Ruth opens with tragedy, no mention of God, and no relief from the hardship. Naomi has lost her husband, her sons, and is in the foreign land of Moab outside of the Promised Land. Yet, the Lord is present in the struggle. In the bitter providence that has no explanation, the Lord is still good and He is still God. He is the same today and always, that however life leads us - He remains.
The early church devoted themselves to what was most important; to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and the prayers. Their devotion is both personal towards the Lord, within their households, and also as a congregation of faith. The devotion of a believer is both fueled by and encourages the body of Christ. Ultimately our devotion is limited, but God's is not. He's devoted completely and perfectly to Himself, to His mission, and to us.
As Jesus was teaching, He is challenged by a lawyer on what must be done to inherit eternal life. Pointing to the Scriptures, Jesus has the man answer correctly, yet the way is impossible to achieve. Because God loves us while we were still sinners, we are now able to love Him and others out of the very love we receive by grace. Having accomplished salvation for us, we no longer live to earn God's love but have it limitlessly as our identity.
On the road to Emmaus, two disciples encounter the risen Christ and are forever changed. Jesus meets them in their processing and hopelessness, and reveals Himself to them in explaining the Scriptures and the breaking of bread. For believers today, Christ reveals Himself in the same way, and encourages us to walk together by faith as His people; because recognizing Jesus is just the beginning to a life of discipleship.
Everyone approaches and addresses the resurrection of Jesus, whether as fact or fable. And in order that we'd be certain of its historicity, Luke conveys in great detail the accounts of the witnesses to Jesus rising from the grave. The angels give the announcement of the resurrection, the women who observe the empty tomb take the message they heard to others, and the apostles who go from doubt to investigation and ultimately belief with their own eyes.
Jesus dies on the cross and is buried in the tomb. In this atoning sacrifice, Jesus lays down His life. He bears the weight of sin and wrath on Himself in His death, tears the curtain in two, and breathes His last. There are witnesses to these events that marvel at Jesus' divinity and show respect and love towards Him. Christians today are to model Christ's example and lay down their lives to Him and to others.
Jesus journeys from where He's tried to the hill to be crucified. Along the way He is met by apathetic people, angry religious leaders, amused soldiers, and an accepting criminal. It's this repentance and faith that demonstrates for us the simple gospel, as he has never lived a day for the Lord until now and he's met with the promised words from Christ, "Today you'll be with me in paradise."
With the depravity of humanity on full display, Jesus remains perfect as our substitute. In the face of trial, accusations, and berating He stays quiet and obedient in our place. Replacing Barabbas, the people have chosen wickedness over innocence, but in Christ the wicked are made innocent by His taking of our sin and in giving us His righteousness.
Jesus is arrested, betrayed, and denied, yet He prays pleas, promotes peace, and practices presence. In unwavering love He remains faithful to His Father and to His people. In taking the cup of wrath, Jesus endures the complete sting of death and weight of sin on Himself, in our place. It's not about our strength and ability, but about His.
In some of His last moments with His disciples, Jesus expresses both the status of a humble servant and the posture of prayer. Through His promises, providence, and prayers we have the assurance of Jesus both now and forever. Our Savior is in heaven right now advocating for us before the Father, a powerful and profound thought in our day to day lives.
When we come to the table of the Lord, we're reminded that just as certain as Jesus was about all the details in that upper room, He's just as certain of the details of our salvation.
As Jesus observes people giving in the temple, there are those who give out of their abundance. This isn't true giving, as it required no faith or trust. Yet, Jesus seems encouraged as He observes a widow put in two copper coins. This was all she had, and although the world would claim this to be unwise, Jesus commends her for her remarkable act of generosity and faith. Believers today are to model that same giving, the giving of our Savior.
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