In vv. 1-10, we read about Jesus’ second feeding miracle. He fed 4000 people, likely mostly Gentiles. He tested his disciples to see if they would trust him. Once again, they failed the test (see vv. 4, 17-21).
The Pharisees sought to destroy Jesus’ credibility among the people by demanding that he give them a sign from heaven (vv. 11-13). Jesus, knowing that they were hardened by unbelief, rejected them. Jesus was not an on-demand miracle worker but a preacher of the gospel. His miracles undergirded his message. He was a compassionate Savior who performed miracles on those who sought him in faith.
After the feeding of the 4000, the disciples somehow failed to secure any leftover bread or fish (v. 14). As they discussed this problem, Jesus warned them of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod (v. 15). Jesus points out their hardened hearts – they have ears but do not hear and eyes but do not see (vv. 17-18). Like the Pharisees, they are spiritually blind. The lesson is clear – if Jesus has fed the 5000 and the 4000, then why are the disciples worried about a lack of bread and provision (also see Matt 6:31-33).
To illustrate that the spiritual eyes of the disciples will be gradually opened, Mark records Jesus’ only two stage miracle (the only such miracle recorded in the Gospels). When Jesus touched this man the first time, his vision was restored but it was still blurry (v. 24). When Jesus touched him again, he saw clearly (v. 25). Similarly, the disciples knew that Jesus was from God but they still didn’t understand that his kingdom was not of this world and that he would be crucified for the sins of the world. Jesus was not coming to conquer the Romans — he was coming to conquer Satan. His substitutionary work on the cross would provide the way for mankind to be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:21) and his resurrection proved his deity (Rom 1:4).
Outline
We see the problem, but Jesus supplies the provision (vv. 1-10)
Unbelievers want to see signs but reject them anyway (vv. 11-13)
We have seen God work but still fail to fully understand and trust Him (vv. 14-21)
Jesus heals our blindness, but it may come gradually (vv. 22-26)
Have you ever been desperate? Have you ever been really desperate? Have you ever been life and death desperate? My wife and I recently watched The Titanic. When it was known that the Titanic would sink, all aboard desperately sought to get into lifeboats. They knew that help was hours away and that those in the water would freeze to death before help arrived.
In our text today, we read about two people that from two different walks of life who were as desperate as those who were on the Titanic.
In many ways, they were very different. One was a man; one was a woman. The man was well off; the woman was very poor. The man was a ruler of the synagogue; the woman could not even enter the synagogue because she was unclean.
However, they had something in common. They were both desperate. And in their desperation, they both turned to Jesus.
Last week in Mark 5 we saw that Jesus has authority over the demonic. Today in Mark 5:21-43, we see that Jesus has authority over disease and death. Turn with me to Mark 5.
Sermon text: Mark 5:21-43
There are three scenes in the text. First, we see Jairus pleading with Jesus to save his daughter. Second, we see the woman with a a flow of blood healed by Jesus. Third, we see Jesus healing Jairus’ daughter at Jairus’ house. Mark uses “sandwiches” in his writing from time to time. Mark introduces a story, inserts a another story, and then return to the original story. Scholars call these “Markan sandwiches.”
Scene 1: Jairus pleads with Jesus to heal his daughter (21-24)
21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him.
Jairus was “one of the rulers of the synagogue” (v. 22). As a ruler of the synagogue, Jairus helped prepare the service for each Sabbath day.
Jarius had probably heard Jesus teach in his synagogue (Mark 1:21-22). He may have witnessed Jesus’ healing ability. And so, in his desperation, he fell at Jesus’ feet (v. 22).
Consider how desperate Jairus must be. He is a ruler of the synagogue. He has a good job. Remember who hates Jesus so far – the Pharisees (Mark 3:6). The rulers of the synagogue likely reported to the Pharisees. Jairus’ decision to fall at Jesus’ feet is an act of great desperation that could cost him his livelihood.
Verse 23 explains why he was so desperate. He implored Jesus earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.”
Do you feel the sense of desperation?
I cannot imagine anything in life that would cause more anguish than having a child at the point of death. The text says that Jairus “fell” at the feet of Jesus and begged him to come and heal his daughter.
24
Jesus hears the plea of this desperate father, and v. 24 says that he went with him. As Jesus makes his way to Jairus’ house, the text says that a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. As we know so far from our study of Mark, Jesus attracted crowds wherever he went.
As they make their way to Jairus’ house, Jesus is interrupted by a desperate woman.
Scene 2: Jesus heals a woman with a chronic discharge of blood (25-34)
In the crowd of people who gathered around Jesus, we are told of one particular woman. In verses 25-26, we learn about this woman.
25-26
25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.
The woman had a discharge of blood for 12 years. She had suffered much, despite having many different physicians. In modern terms, she had been to the family doctor, urgent care, the emergency room, and multiple specialists.
She had spent all her money seeking relief, but she only grew worse.
Perhaps you can identify with that. Maybe you have a chronic health condition and you’ve spent a lot of money seeking relief for your pain but you only seem to get worse.
Last week we read about a demon-possessed man that had a terrible existence. He was living amongst dead bodies and was a man of filth, loneliness, and terror. He was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. There was no man that was able to subdue that man and no chain that could hold him.
This woman, while not demon-possessed, is in a similar state of despair. She is desperately poor, unclean because of her bloody discharge, and considered an outcast by society. She would have not been able to enter the synagogue or the temple, for she was unclean.
In her condition, sexual intercourse was forbidden. The Pharisaic tradition commonly encouraged divorce if a couple of childbearing age could not produce offspring. Thus, her condition probably had either prevented her marriage or ended it.[1]Craig S. Keener and John H. Walton, eds., NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016), 1698.
Lev 15:25-27
25 “If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, not at the time of her menstrual impurity, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her impurity, all the days of the discharge she shall continue in uncleanness. As in the days of her impurity, she shall be unclean. 26 Every bed on which she lies, all the days of her discharge, shall be to her as the bed of her impurity. And everything on which she sits shall be unclean, as in the uncleanness of her menstrual impurity. 27 And whoever touches these things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening.
Num 5:1-4
5 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Command the people of Israel that they put out of the camp everyone who is leprous or has a discharge and everyone who is unclean through contact with the dead. 3 You shall put out both male and female, putting them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell.” 4 And the people of Israel did so, and put them outside the camp; as the Lord said to Moses, so the people of Israel did.
This lady has not been able to go to they synagogue or the temple for 12 years! She is considered the lowest of the low in society.
We see a stark contrast between the status of this woman and that of Jairus. While she is poor, unclean, and an outcast, Jairus is a “ruler” of the synagogue. It is quite possible that Jairus had kept this woman from entering the synagogue. I can just imagine Jairus seeing the woman and thinking, “Oh no, not this woman again.” But Jesus doesn’t respond that way.
While there is a contrast between Jairus and this poor woman, they also have something in common. Both people need a miracle from Jesus. They both need Jesus’ healing touch.
I love that about Jesus. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost – poor, rich, Jew, Gentile, black, white, male, female. Jesus came for every person.
Jesus is not partial to the rich and the famous. Are we like Jesus? Are we as Christians willing to love like Jesus? Are we willing to love the people that society has given up on and spit upon? Are we willing to be interrupted in order to help someone that is hurting?
27-28
27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.”
Verse 27 says that the woman had heard about Jesus. She pushes through the crowd and touched his garment, for she said in v. 28, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.”
This woman exhibits great faith! She has heard the stories. Perhaps she had heard about how Jesus cleansed the leper or the paralytic or the man with the withered hand. She believed that Jesus had the power to heal and she was willing to do whatever it took to get to Him.
What happens? Look at vv. 29-32.
29-32
29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it.
Verse 29 tells us that as soon as the woman touched Jesus, she was healed! The text says that immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.
Twelve years of suffering. Twelve years of doctor’s visits. Twelve years of paying medical bills. And in an instant, she is well because of her faith in Jesus.
In the same way, it doesn’t matter what your past 12 years or 20 years, or 50 years have been like. You may think you’re beyond fixing, but the truth is we are all broken and need Jesus. You can be made new because of Christ.
Notice how Jesus responds: he asks, “Who touched my garments?” His disciples respond sarcastically. They wonder, “Jesus, you have a huge crowd around you and you’re wondering who touched you?”
Here we see the love and compassion of Jesus. Jesus is surrounded by the crowd but he sees and cares about the individual person.
From this encounter with the woman, we see that Jesus cares about our suffering (24, 30-34, 41-43). Jesus wanted to give this woman assurance of her healing. He wanted to address her as a person.
33-34
33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
The woman, hearing Jesus’ question, came and fell down before him in fear and trembling. She explained to him her situation and told Him that she was the one who had touched Him.
She fell down before Jesus. Have you noticed the pattern in Mark 5? The demon-possessed man fell down before Jesus (Mark 5:6). Jairus fell down before Jesus (Mark 5:22). And now, we see this woman fall down before Jesus.
I want us to see that both Jairus and this woman approached Jesus with humble faith. They were both in agony, and they both desperately needed Jesus. In this passage, we see that
In times of suffering, we should approach Jesus with humble faith (22-23, 27-28, 33-34).
In times of suffering, we should approach Jesus with humble faith.
There are televangelists and word of faith people that tell you, “If you just have enough faith and you send me a check in the mail then everything will work out for you.” That is not how you come to Jesus! Jesus is Lord of all! You don’t get to manipulate Jesus. It doesn’t matter how rich you are or your status in life. The way that you should approach Jesus is to fall in your face in humility and beg him for help.
When we are in anguish and desperate for help, like these two people, we should approach Jesus with humble faith. We cry out to Him, knowing He has the power to deliver us.
Jesus tells the woman, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” Jesus tells her that she is not unclean anymore. She can go back to her family and can worship in the synagogue and the temple.
Scene 3: Jesus raises Jairus’ daughter from the dead (35-43)
35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
35
Jesus is not even done speaking to the woman and someone comes from Jairus’ house and tells him that his daughter is dead.
36
But notice how Jesus responds. Jesus says, “Do not fear, only believe.”
What a statement! What if we lived like this?
“Do not fear, only believe!”
There is an inverse relationship between fear and faith. The more faith you have, the less fear you will have. The more fear you have, the less faith you will have.
What are you dealing with today that is causing you desperation?
Is it your health? Finances? A lost family member? Infertility? Marriage trouble? The health of a loved one?
Jesus says, “Do not fear, only believe.”
This is the challenge before Jairus and everyone who meets Jesus. Will we look at the desperation of our circumstances or believe in the God who makes all things possible?[2]James R. Edwards, The Gospel according to Mark, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos, 2002), 166.
37-40
Jesus, along with Peter, James, and John, go to Jairus’ house. The text says that it was quite a scene, with people weeping and wailing loudly. In New Testament times, professional mourners would gather to grieve with the family and the community. As Jesus entered the house, he asked the mourners and those present, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.”
Verse 40 says that they laughed at him. Jesus then goes into to see the girl. Verse 41 says that he took her by the hand and said, “Little girl, arise.” And immediately, v. 42 says, she got up and began walking. Those present were “overcome with amazement.”
Can you imagine the joy and the relief of the parents? Can you imagine the reaction of Peter, James, and John?
In our passage, we see that in times of desperation, we must turn to Jesus, who has authority over disease and death.
Big Idea: In your desperation, turn to Jesus, who has authority over disease and death.
When Jesus raises this little girl from the dead, he is pointing forward to the time when God will raise all who are in Christ from the dead.
But it’s important to note that just a few decades later, both this lady and Jairus’ daughter died a physical death. Even when Jesus miraculously healed the sick and raised the dead, those people still died. What is most needed for all of us is not physical healing, but spiritual healing.
What is most needed for all of us is not physical healing, but spiritual healing.
The demon-possessed man, the lady with the flow of blood, and Jairus daughter all transferred their uncleanness to Jesus, and Jesus cleansed each one of them.
Isaiah 53:5-6
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
The only way that Jesus could save us from our sin was that he himself was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. By his wounds we are healed. By Jesus words, he healed physically, but by his death, he made a sacrifice so that we could have a healing that lasts forever.
By Jesus words, he healed physically, but by his death, he made a sacrifice so that we could have a healing that lasts forever.
That’s the hope we have in Jesus. Even if we do not experience physical healing, we have the hope that Jesus is the resurrection and the life and that if we are in Christ we will live with God forever in the new heavens and the new earth.
If you are not a Christian, then you need Jesus more than Jairus’ daughter and this woman with a flow of blood.
You need to be cleansed of your sin and that only happens through repentance of sin and faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Conclusion
To summarize today’s text:
There are times of desperation in life that only Jesus can fix.
We should approach Jesus with a humble faith.
We should approach Jesus in humble faith for two reasons: (1) he cares about our suffering and (2) he has the authority to alleviate our suffering.
Physical healing is not ultimate. Our greatest need is not physical but spiritual healing. To have a healthy body without a new heart is a temporary solution.
Those healed of physical conditions will still go to hell without Jesus. Those who have repented and believed in the atoning work of Christ will live forever in a new body.
Craig S. Keener and John H. Walton, eds., NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016), 1698
James R. Edwards, The Gospel according to Mark, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos, 2002), 166.
In our text this week, we read about a storm on the Sea of Galilee.
The setting of Mark 4 is Jesus teaching the crowds from a boat. The last two weeks we’ve seen that Jesus taught the crowds in parables and then explained the meaning of the parables to his disciples.
Sermon Text: Mark 4:35-41
35-36
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.
After a long day of teaching the crowds, Jesus tells his disciples that it is time to leave. He says, “Let us go across to the other side.” As we will see next week, Jesus and the disciples went “to the country of Gerasenes” (Mark 5:1). As their short journey begins, Jesus lays down in the stern (the back of the boat) and fell fast asleep.
As a pastor, I can appreciate Jesus’ fatigue. Teaching and interacting with people all day will make you very tired.
Notice the details that Mark gives us in these verses. Remember, Mark was a companion of Peter (1 Pet 5:13) and is writing down Peter’s account of the story. Mark writes down the time of day (“evening”), the fact that other boats followed them, the “cushion” that Jesus slept on, and where Jesus slept (“in the stern”). All of these details indicate that an eyewitness (in this case, Peter) told the story.
This text gives us a glimpse into the humanity of Jesus. Oftentimes, we focus on the deity of Christ so much that we can forget about his humanity. In the Gospels, we see that Jesus got hungry, he got angry, he wept, and he died. Here in Mark, we see that Jesus was tired and needed rest just like you and me. This is the only place in the Gospels that we read of Jesus sleeping.
As the disciples sailed across the Sea of Galilee, they were enjoying a quiet evening. The sun was setting slowly in the sky. The water gently lapped against the boat. The disciples were talking with one another.
And suddenly, the disciples found themselves in the middle of a frightening storm. Look at the description of the storm in v. 37.
37
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.
The ESV says it was a great windstorm. The NIV says that it was “a furious squall.” This was not a light drizzle. This was a bad storm. It was a great storm!
The storm was so great that waves of water were coming into the boat and it was beginning to fill up.
The wind continued to blow harder.
The waves continued to grow higher.
The water continued to fill the boat.
The Sea of Galilee is relatively small (thirteen miles long, seven miles wide) but it’s 150 feet deep and the shoreline is 680 feet below sea level. Because it is below sea level and surrounded by mountains, it is susceptible to sudden winds. When combined with a thunderstorm, the water can turn into violent twenty-foot waves. The storm must have been especially fierce since it frightened the disciples, some of which were experienced fishermen.
You can imagine the panic of the disciples. While I’ve never been in a storm while out in a boat, I’ve certainly driven through some nasty storms. Storms obviously can be very dangerous, especially when you’re in the middle of a sea or high in the air and there is no solid ground to be found.
Before we go on, I want to point out something that is very important. Jesus led the disciples into the storm. He is the one who told them where to go. Jesus knew that the storm would come. The storm didn’t catch him off guard.
Jesus led the disciples into the storm.
Here’s my point: when storms come up in your life, God knows that they will come. These storms are divinely ordained moments for God to work in our lives. Desperate times show us who we are, who God is, and how much we need him!
Danny Akin writes, “When He brings us to the end of ourselves, we are driven to Him and Him alone as Savior and Rescuer.”
38
38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
While the disciples are in a panic, Jesus is in a state of peace. Verse 38 simply says, “He was asleep on the cushion.”
Notice what the disciples do. They realize that they cannot fix the problem. The waves are crashing into the boat faster than they can tip out the water. They wake up Jesus and ask:
“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
The disciples are questioning Jesus’s love and concern for them.
Have you ever been there? Have you ever wondered if God cares about your suffering?
I think if we’re honest, most of us can identify with the disciples here. When we find ourselves in the middle of a storm, we wonder, “God, do you care about me?” Do you care that I’m in anguish about this situation?
Do you care that I have cancer?
Do you care that my spouse is hurting me?
Do you care that my kids are making bad decisions?
Do you care that I lost my job?
Do you care that a tornado just blew away my home?
Even though Jesus has proven himself faithful to us over and over, when we go through the storm, we usually choose fear over faith.
How does Jesus respond to the fearful pleas of the disciples? Look at verses 39-40.
39-40
39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
The wind is still blowing fiercely. The waves continue to rise. The water continues to crash into the boat. Jesus didn’t help his disciples by pouring water out of the boat. Jesus didn’t help his disciples try to row to land. Instead, Jesus stands up and he “rebuked the win and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’”
And immediately, the wind ceased, and the sea became calm. Earlier we saw the humanity of Jesus as he slept after a long and tiring day. Here, we see the full deity of Jesus on display as he commands the wind and the sea. Only God can command the wind and the sea, and this is the lesson that Jesus has for His disciples today. Jesus wants His disciples to see that he is not just a man. He is not just a great teacher. He is God in the flesh.
Jesus is not just a man. He is not just a great teacher. He is God in the flesh.
In v. 40, Jesus asks His disciples a question: “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
In the middle of the storm, the disciples accused Jesus of not caring for them.
How about you? Have you ever thought that because of what you were going through that God didn’t care for you?
God cares so much about us that he’s not willing to let us remain faithless. He allows storms to happen and sometimes sends storms so that you and I will learn to trust him. Here’s the main thing I want us to learn from our text this morning:
In the middle of the storm, trusting in Jesus will calm your fearful heart.
When you have lost your job, Jesus can calm your fearful heart.
When you get that bad diagnosis, Jesus can calm your fearful heart.
When you lose someone you love, Jesus can calm your fearful heart.
When you don’t feel like you have any hope, Jesus can calm your fearful heart.
When you have a child or grandchild that is far from God, Jesus can calm your fearful heart.
When your home gets obliterated by a tornado, Jesus can calm your fearful heart.
We don’t have to fear the storm because Jesus is faithful! Trust Him.
As we conclude this morning, let’s look at v. 41.
41
41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
After Jesus calms the wind and the sea, the disciples “were filled with great fear.” They said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
In v. 37, there was a “great windstorm.” In v. 39, there was a “great calm.” In v. 41, the disciples were filled with “great fear.”
The disciples are starting to see that Jesus is no ordinary man. They have seen him preach and teach with authority. They have seen him cast out demons. They have seen him heal the sick. They have seen him turn water into wine. But now, they are beginning to see that Jesus is truly God in the flesh!
This morning, I want you to know that you don’t have to be tossed to and fro by the storms you encounter in this life. Jesus came and lived a perfect life and took the storm of God’s wrath on the cross for you and me. He took the punishment for our sins and he offers us his righteousness if we turn from our sin and place our faith in Christ and His finished work on our behalf.
No difficulty in life compares to the judgment seat of God. It will not matter how many storms you were able to make it through in this life. If you have not trusted in Jesus as Lord and Savior, then you will hear the words, “Depart from me, I never knew you” (Matt 7:23).
Or, maybe you’re a Christian but you struggle with your faith. Trust Christ! He’s faithful! Welcome the storms with arms wide open as you learn to trust Him with your whole life.
How can you trust Jesus in a storm?
Pray (Phil 4:6-7).
Be encouraged by others in the church. Share your hurts. Ask for prayer and care.
This sermon was accidentally not recorded. To watch this sermon preached at another church, click here.
Last week, we studied the parable of the soils (Mark 4:1-20). In that parable, Jesus showed that when the gospel (the message of the kingdom of God) is shared, it lands on different types of soil. These different soils represent human hearts. Thus, the gospel is received or rejected by its hearers depending on the state of their hearts.
Today, Jesus continues teaching in parables.
Sermon Text: Mark 4:21-34
The first thing we see is that the message of the kingdom (the gospel) is not meant to be hidden.
The Message of the Kingdom is not Meant to Be Hidden (21-23)
21 And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? 22 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
In vv. 21-22, Jesus uses the imagery of a lamp. He asks his listeners, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?” Of course, the answer is no. The purpose of a lamp is to give light and illuminate one’s environment. In biblical times, at nighttime, you needed a lamp or a fire or you would have been in the dark. Thus, a lamp was “brought in” a room to give light (v. 21).
The lamp in this text refers to the word about the kingdom – the gospel message itself.
Contextually, this passage follows the parable of the soils. In the parable of the soils, the seed is the word of the kingdom; that is, the gospel.
In verses 23 and 24, Jesus puts an emphasis on hearing. In fact, look in Mark 4 at the references to hearing and listening to the word:
3 – “Listen!”
9 – “He who has ears to hear, let him hear”
12 – they “may indeed hear but not understand”
15 – “when they hear…”
16 – “the ones who hear…”
18 – “they are those who hear the word…”
20 – “But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it…”
23 – “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
24 – “Pay attention to what you hear…”
33 – “With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.”
In case you weren’t counting, there are 10 references in Mark 4 to hearing and listening to the word.
Thus, in verses 21-22, Jesus is saying that he has come to speak the truth of the gospel and the words about God’s kingdom. That message is not something that is to be put under a basket or put under a bed. That message is to be put on a stand and give light to all that surrounds it!
At the time Jesus taught these words, the kingdom of God consisted of a few disciples. Jesus is preparing his disciples for the day that they will replace him as heralds of the gospel message. Remember, Jesus is training them to be fishers of men (Mark 1:17). One day, it would be the responsibility of the disciples to communicate the gospel of the kingdom to the world (Acts 1:8).
Notice verse 22. The truth of Jesus’ message will come to light. After Jesus’ resurrection, it became known that he was no ordinary man. Many who were skeptics of Jesus before his resurrection became his followers. Christianity went on to explode after Jesus’ resurrection, most prominently on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2.
The gospel of the kingdom that the disciples had is the same message that we have — that God has sent his son Jesus into the world and that all who turn from their sin and place their faith in Jesus and his life, death, burial and resurrection can have peace with God.
Rather than experiencing God’s just wrath for our sin in hell, we can have forgiveness through Christ. Paul said in Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The light of the gospel message is not to be hidden, but it is meant to “come to light” in our hearts and in the hearts of those that we share it with.
This morning, I want to ask you, who are you praying would come to faith in Christ?
Who are you trying to share the gospel with?
We have the greatest message of all time. Let’s share the light of the gospel with others.
We have the greatest message of all time. Let’s share the light of the gospel with others.
In vv. 21-23, we see that the message of the kingdom is not meant to be hidden. In the next section, we see that the message of the kingdom will be revealed to those who listen.
The Message of the Kingdom Will Be Revealed to Those Who Listen (24-25, 33-34)
24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. 25 For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
In these verses, Jesus teaches us how God reacts towards one’s response to the word. The measure one gives to hearing will be the measure one receives. Thus, if someone has ears to hear and receives the word joyfully, they will be given more of the word and more truth will be revealed to them.
Whoever seeks to understand the message of the kingdom will receive more, but those who are not good soil and don’t respond to the word in obedience, Jesus says, “even what he has will be taken away.”
I have found this to be true. Those who are humble and teachable are given more truth. Those who are apathetic or hard-hearted will have what truth they do know taken away. In other words, if you do not respond in obedience to the spiritual truths you learn, then you will not be fruitful. And remember, true disciples bear fruit (Mark 4:20).
Mark’s comments in vv. 33-34 give a glimpse of the measure described in vv. 24-25.
33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. 34 He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear, but he explained everything to his disciples.
You’ve heard it said that the poor get poorer and the rich get richer. This is exactly what Jesus is saying about spiritual truth. Those who do not have ears to hear will become mired in a pit of ignorance and indifference. Brothers and sisters, we in America have much access to biblical truth. We must be careful to have ears to hear!
Do you have ears to hear?
Are you the good soil that was mentioned last week (Mark 4:20)? Remember, those will hearts of good soil hear the gospel, accept, and bear fruit.
How do you react to God’s Word?
Are you reading it?
Are you learning from it?
Are you applying it?
Are you bored by the preaching of God’s Word?
Do you seek to learn from the preached word? Do you take notes?
My caution to you this morning is that if you’re not seeking to understand and apply God’s Word that your heart will grow indifferent and even what you know will be taken away. Those are Jesus’ words, not mine!
The message of the kingdom is not meant to be hidden. The message of the kingdom will be revealed to those who listen. In the rest of our passage, Jesus promises hope regarding the kingdom of God!
First, Jesus teaches that God brings about the growth of his kingdom.
God Brings About the Growth of His Kingdom (26-29)
In vv. 26-29, Jesus uses a parable about the sowing, growing, and harvesting of a seed to describe the kingdom of God.
26 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. 28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
Notice in the parable that the sower plays a minimal role. The seed grows without his effort. He sows the seed and “the seed sprouts and grows.” In fact, the text says, “He knows not how.”
Jesus wants to encourage his disciples that as the seed of the kingdom is sown, that eventually there will be a harvest. Just as “the earth produces by itself,” God is at work to bring about the growth of His kingdom.
Jesus says the kingdom of God is like this. As Christians scatter the seed of God’s Word, it will succeed because God is active. There is no amount of human effort that can bring about a harvest in God’s kingdom. We are dependent on his power for there to be a harvest.
John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
1 Cor 3:6-7
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”
Rom 1:16
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
This parable should do two things.
First, the parable should remove a burden from us. We learn that as we share the gospel, we don’t have the power to save anyone. These verses show that ultimately the result is not up to us. I’ve heard it said that “Evangelism is sharing the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.” Notice what the sower does in the parable. He sleeps and rises. He sows the seed and leaves it be. We are not ashamed of the gospel! God is at work and he will give the growth and build his church (Matt 16:18)!
Second, the parable should drive us to our knees in prayer. Because God is the one that brings about the harvest, we must pray to him as we share the gospel with others. We pray that the Father would draw, the Holy Spirit would convict of sin, and that people would come to faith in Christ. Sometimes we see a blade, sometimes an ear, and sometimes the grain!
R.C. Sproul:
“That’s the way the kingdom is. We often do not know what God does with our service. We plant the seed, go to bed, and, while we sleep, God germinates the seed so that life grows and eventually produces a full harvest. Then God Himself reaps for His own glory. We simply need to forget about trying to see the fruit of our service immediately. It does not matter if we ever see it. We are called to take the light and let it shine, then let God do with it whatever He pleases.”[1]R.C. Sproul, Mark, 76.
As a church, we must learn the lesson from this parable and the parable of the soils. As we sow the seed of the gospel, will fall on different kinds of hearts. But as we sow broadly and pray earnestly, then inevitably, we will see a harvest. It may be slow, but we will see one!
Jesus assures us in verse 29 that there will indeed be a harvest.
God’s Kingdom Will Grow Large (30-32)
In vv. 30-32, Jesus likens the kingdom of God to the growth of a mustard seed. Though the mustard seed is very small, eventually it grows much larger!
Read 30-32
30 And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
A mustard seed’s diameter is only about 1/10 of an inch, but the plant itself grows into a very large shrub (about 10-12 feet tall). When Jesus first called his disciples, the kingdom of God looked insignificant. Jesus was teaching them that eventually the kingdom of God would be much larger than they could have imagined.
Jesus is telling his disciples that the kingdom of God is going to be massive. It will be proportionately much larger than its humble beginnings. Jesus started with 12 disciples and today there are millions of people who are followers of Jesus.
There will come a day when the kingdom of God will surpass every kingdom that has ever existed on earth. We know from the previous parable that even though we don’t see all of it now, one day we will.
There will come a day when the kingdom of God will surpass every kingdom that has ever existed on earth.
Notice the reference to the birds making nests in the shade of the mustard plant in v. 32.
In biblical times, the image of great trees symbolizing great kingdoms was common. We see this in the Old Testament in Ezekiel 17, Ezekiel 31, and Daniel 4. Specifically, in Ezekiel 17:22-24, there is a messianic prophecy that says that under the rule of the Messiah, nations will come to salvation, and the Gentile nations are pictured as birds coming to lodge in the tree of blessing. It is almost certain that Jesus is borrowing from this imagery and thus, in our text, the birds represent the Gentile nations.
Again, though the kingdom of God has been inaugurated with the coming of Jesus, one day, Jesus tells his disciples, that the kingdom of God is going to be much larger than they could’ve ever imagined.
Revelation 7:9-10
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Conclusion
These last two parables show us that even at times when the kingdom of God may seem hidden, God is at work to produce a harvest that is bigger than we can imagine. We must be faithful to the commission of our Lord Jesus to sow the seed of the gospel!
Ever since the fall in Genesis 3, God’s people have looked for the promised deliverer. As the OT unfolds, we are given a fuller picture of this Savior.[1]J. Josh Smith and Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in Psalms 1–50, 12..
Genesis 3 – the seed of the woman will crush the head of the serpent (Gen 3:15).
Genesis 12 – he will come from Abraham (Gen 12:1–3).
Genesis 49 – he will be of the tribe of Judah (Gen 49:8–12).
Deuteronomy – he will be a prophet greater than Moses (Deut 18:15).
2 Samuel 7 – he will be a Son of David and that his throne and kingdom will be established forever (2 Sam 7:5–16).
Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16)
12 “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”
Psalm 2 gives us further insight of the glory and greatness of the coming Messiah-King.
Psalm 2 is a royal (or kingship) psalm. It’s also a messianic psalm. This psalm likely functioned as a song that accompanied the inauguration of Solomon, who was David’s heir to the throne in Jerusalem.[2]Tremper Longman III, Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary, 59–60. However, this psalm not only speaks to the rule of Solomon or any future heir of David. It finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ and is one of the most quoted psalms in the New Testament.[3]J. Josh Smith and Daniel L. Akin, 13.
It seems that in the original historical context of this psalm that Gentile kingdoms were seeking to be free of Israelite rule. This psalm unveils the coming Messiah-King and makes it clear that Gentiles will only find lasting joy as subjects of this future anointed king.
Last week we looked at Psalm 1, which drew a contrast between the righteous and the wicked. This week in Psalm 2 we see the Psalmist draw a contrast between those who seek to rebel against God’s authority and those who submit to God’s rule and reign by embracing his anointed king and taking their refuge in him.
The Psalm breaks down into four parts. The first section is found in vv. 1-3.
Like worldly rulers, we naturally rebel against God’s authority as our rightful king (1-3)
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”
In verse 1, a question is raised – “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?” Verses 2-3 are the answer.
“The kings of the earth set themselves against the Lord and his anointed.”
“The rulers take counsel together against the Lord and his anointed.”
They want to “burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”
The rulers of nations plot to build their own kingdom and dominion. They seek worldly power and influence. They don’t recognize or submit to God’s sovereign rule over his creation. They don’t just reject God’s authority, but the word picture here is that they throw it off (“cast away their cords from us”).
Verse 2 explains that the kings and rulers of the earth set themselves against God’s rule on the earth. They have no desire to be ruled by God or his anointed king of Israel (whether David, Solomon, or Jesus himself).
“Anointed” – The Psalms often express the messianic ideals attached to the Davidic line by using the phrase “the Lord’s anointed” (see Ps 18:50). In 1 Sam 24:6, David refused to harm Saul because Saul was “the Lord’s anointed.”
So, here in Ps 2, David is saying that the kings and rulers of the earth have set themselves against God and his anointed king and the royal line from which his true Son, Jesus Christ will come.
Like worldly rulers, we naturally rebel against God’s authority as our rightful king. We rebel against God when we don’t bring every area of our lives into submission to God’s Word.
When we rebel against God, we are provoking his wrath (4-6)
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”
God laughs at the idea of kings and rulers setting themselves against him and his anointed king. Today’s kings and rulers think that God’s Word is antiquated and outdates. They mock and ridicule God’s Word and those who adhere to it. Today’s rulers think they can define truth.
The reality is that when rulers of the earth think they can define truth, God laughs.
When they try to redefine marriage, God laughs.
When they seek to redefine gender and homosexuality, God laughs.
When they lie about abortion and when life begins, God laughs.
When they tell you that all life is a cosmic accident (macroevolution), God laughs.
We are sometimes afraid to speak of God because of fear of ridicule or anger, but God is not intimidated by the world’s powers and we shouldn’t be eitehr. We have God’s Word in our hearts and the Holy Spirit living in us. Remember in the Great Commission, Jesus said that “all authority has been given to me” and “I will be with you always” (Matt 28:18, 20).
In v. 5, it says that God will speak to them in his wrath and terrify them in his fury. God’s wrath comes from his holiness. God will not tolerate sin. Consider Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19). God poured out his wrath on those cities because of their unrighteousness and he will pour out his wrath on anyone that doesn’t kiss the Son (v. 12).
God’s response to human pride and power is to install his “king” on Zion (v. 6). This points beyond Israel’s king to Jesus, God’s true Son. One day he will put everything right; but he will do this by going first to Zion—to Jerusalem—to die for our sins. The people that appear to rule the world are all under his lordship and one day they will know it. Worldly rulers have some influence, but they are on borrowed time. One day, every knee will bow before Jesus.
Phil 2:10-11
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
When we rebel against God, we are provoking his wrath. One day, God’s Son will deliver judgment to those who refuse to bow the knee.
God’s Son will deliver judgment to rebellious sinners (7-9)
7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
In verses 7-9, we see how the Messiah responds to the nations who reject him. The anointed king (Jesus) shares of the decree that the Lord spoke to him.
The word begotten describes a relationship between two beings of the same essential nature and being. Jesus is not a created being. A created thing has a different essential being and nature than the one who created it. A man creates a statue but begets a child.[4]https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-2/.
We know this refers to Christ because v. 8 speaks of a worldwide rule that demands a king with infinitely greater power than David. Remember, God promised to David an eternal and worldwide kingdom established by his descendant (2 Sam. 7:12–14).
In v. 7, the Lord says, “You are my Son.” At both the baptism of Jesus and his transfiguration, the Father spoke of Jesus as his son (Mark 1:11, 9:7).
Look at how Revelation 2:26-27 speaks of Christ from Ps 2:8-9.
Revelation 2:26-27
The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.
The apostles preached the gospel from this psalm (Ps 2:7; Acts 13:32-33). The author of Hebrews explained that Christ was this “Son” whom God sent into the world—the only Son who could truly fulfill the promises to David (Heb. 1:5).
There is judgment coming to the nations. There is judgment coming to those who reject Jesus Christ. Brothers and sisters, we are to share the gospel with those that surround us—our neighbors, family, friends, and coworkers. We are to warn them of God’s coming judgment, while declaring the message of his saving grace.
The way to escape the wrath of Jesus is to submit to His lordship (10-12)
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Verses 10-12 serve as a warning to earthly kings and rulers. In v. 10, the kings are to be wise because they have been warned. They are called to serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling (v. 11). Finally, they are to kiss the son (v. 12). To kiss the son is to rest in and live for him. It is a sign of allegiance. You must pay homage to Jesus. You must be willing to bow the knee and declare your allegiance to him.
If you refuse to bow to God’s son, know this: the son will be angry and you will perish under his wrath (v. 12). In America, we tend to think of meek and gentle Jesus rather than a judging and wrathful Jesus. But here is what God’s Word says:
Revelation 19:11-16
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in[b] blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule[c] them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
The good news is this: if you do bow to God’s son, you can take refuge in him (v. 12). The only way to escape God’s wrath is to submit to the lordship of Christ. Each one of us is born with a sin nature. We all act on that nature. We rebel against God. We deserve his wrath. But thanks be to God that even while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). Our response to Jesus’ atoning work on the cross is to repent (turn from sin) and believe in Christ (Mark 1:15). For a fuller explanation of the gospel, click here.
To see a summary of chapters 1-3, see the posts linked above. There are three key pieces of information from chapter 3:
Boaz promised Ruth that he will act as her redeemer (Ruth 3:13).
There is a closer relative to Elimelech and Naomi than him (Ruth 3:12).
He will settle the matter today (Ruth 3:13, 18).
BIG IDEA: Through the work of a redeemer, God changes our past failures into a promising future according to his plan and for his glory.
Through the work of a redeemer, we have an inheritance (1-12)
The city gate (v. 1) was the place of activity in the town. Here, business transactions and legal proceedings took place. Today, we might think of the city gate as the chamber of commerce, the courthouse, and the supermarket rolled into one. Here, people of status could be found. We would find the mayor, the city council, local judges, and businessmen.
Archaeologists have found benches near the city gates in ancient towns. To sit was the position of authority or doing business. Boaz has 10 elders to sit down and conduct business (v. 2). These elders were men that were not those of a certain age but were the men that administrated the affairs of the community. They had significant life experience and could help guide the community.
In v. 3, Boaz reveals to the man why he wants to talk. Naomi has returned from Moab and is selling the land that belonged to Elimelech.
Ruth 4:3-4
“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.”
We might wonder, is Naomi a landowner? Not technically. Numbers 27 speaks to this issue.
Numbers 27:8-11
8 And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter. 9 And if he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 And if he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. 11 And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it. And it shall be for the people of Israel a statute and rule, as the Lord commanded Moses.’”
Here, Boaz is saying that the land is to be transferred to the nearest kinsman, the kinsman-redeemer, and then used to provide for Naomi.
Three Qualifications of a Kinsman-Redeemer
He must be a blood relative.
He must have sufficient resources to buy the property and care for the widow and her family.
He must be willing to buy.
At first, the nearer redeemer is salivating at the prospects of adding land to his estate. He says in front of the elders, “I will redeem it” (v. 4). At this point, the redeemer is thinking this is a good business transaction. He would get free land and in return he would simply have to provide for Naomi, who is past childbearing age until she dies. Then the land would become part of the inheritance for his children.
In vv. 5-6, Boaz lets the man know about Ruth.
Ruth 4:5-6
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.”
Three Responsibilities of a Kinsman Redeemer
Marry the widow and provide for her (Deut 25:5-10).
Take the land (Lev 25:25-28; Num 27:8-11).
Protect the family line by providing an heir for the estate (Deut 25:5-10).
Levirate Marriage
Deut 25:5-6
5 “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. 6 And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel.
Now the game has changed. The redeemer will have to marry Ruth, who is a Moabite. The redeemer has a responsibility to raise up an heir for Elimelech through Ruth. The oldest son will then inherit the estate. Additionally, any additional children that Ruth had would have had to be provided for and would cut into the inheritance of the unnamed redeemer’s own children.
The unnamed redeemer sees that the redemption is now too costly for him. He says, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.” I think we’re all tempted to think like Mr. So-and-So. It’s so easy for us to think only about what is best for us instead of thinking about how to love our neighbors well.
In verses 7-10, Boaz takes on the responsibility to be a redeemer for Naomi and Ruth. Boaz is willing to take on the responsibility to perpetuate not his own name, but the names of Elimelech and Mahlon. The elders then pronounce a blessing on Boaz (vv. 11-12).
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.”
Perez was an ancestor of Boaz (vv. 18–22) who was born to Judah and Tamar through circumstances related to the practice of levirate marriage (Gen 38).
Through the work of a redeemer, we have an inheritance. But not only do we have an inheritance, we also have a family.
Through the work of a redeemer, we have a family (13-17)
Boaz and Ruth consummate their new marriage and in one verse (4:13), every problem in chapter one meets a solution:
Ruth, who is without a husband, now has one.
Ruth, who was likely barren is granted immediate conception.
Naomi, who was without a son to take care of her in the future now has one to continue her family’s line.
The child born of Boaz and Ruth actually continued two family lines – those of Boaz and Elimelech.
Only twice is the Lord explicitly said to be the cause of actions in the book. In Ruth 1:6 the Lord provided food. Here in Ruth 4:13 God grants conception to Boaz and Ruth. Perhaps Boaz’s ability to father a child was in doubt, as certainly Ruth’s ability to bear one was since she had not conceived with her previous husband.
In v. 14 the word “redeemer” is not talking about Boaz, but about the son that has been born. When the story begins, Bethlehem is a place of famine, but it becomes a place of fruitfulness because of God’s faithfulness.
A young guardian-redeemer is born for Naomi who will grow and protect her family and inheritance (v. 15). The image of Naomi holding the child on her lap is very beautiful. This formerly bitter woman now has a grandson to play with and this boy will continue the family line of her late husband (v. 16). The son born in these unlikely circumstances (Obed) became the grandfather to Israel’s greatest king.
Burying a child is arguably the hardest thing to do in this life. On the flipside, the birth of a child brings more joy than anything else. The book of Ruth begins with the death of a man and his two sons. It ends with the joy of new birth. The book of Ruth takes us from death to life, from devastation to joy, and from despair to hope.[1]Christopher Ash, Teaching Ruth & Esther: From text to message, 127.
The book of Ruth takes us from death to life, from devastation to joy, and from despair to hope.
Christopher Ash
Through the work of a redeemer, we have a future (18-22)
During a period when many people did what was right in their own eyes, there were at least three who did what was right in God’s eyes.
God worked through Boaz to redeem not just Ruth and Naomi, but to bring about David, the greatest king of Israel. The same godliness that drove Boaz would guide David to bless his nation and redeem their lives from the moral chaos of the judges.
God was doing far more than Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz could have realized during their lifetimes.
Conclusion
God worked through Boaz to redeem not just Ruth and Naomi, but to bring about the great redeemer Jesus Christ (see the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1).
Remember how the book of Ruth started:
moral chaos
famine
funerals
incredible pain
desperation
Naomi and Ruth experienced incredible pain and hardships. Naomi wanted to be called bitter (Ruth 1:20-21). But God, in his goodness which shone through the kindness of a redeemer, gave Naomi and Ruth:
provision
protection
an inheritance
a family
joy
future
How did that happen?
For Ruth, it meant turning to the one true God.
For Naomi, it meant returning to the one true God.
Together, they went to God’s place (Bethlehem) to be with God’s people and to experience God’s presence.
But things really changed when they approached their redeemer in faith.
Things change when we approach our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, in faith.
During our lives, God lets us go through trials in order to expose the depths of our need and to show us the fullness of his provision.
This morning, whatever you’re going through – the pain of loss, the pain of a bad diagnosis, the pain of strained relationships, or perhaps sadness over your sinful past and past failures, here is what I want you to know this morning.
BIG IDEA: Through the work of a redeemer, God changes our past failures into a promising future according to his plan and for his glory.
Matt 1:1-6, 16-17
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king.
16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Boaz, the kinsman redeemer of Naomi and Ruth, points to our great redeemer Jesus Christ.
Remember the Three Qualifications of a Kinsman-Redeemer
Blood relative (Gal 4:4-5)
Sufficient resources (1 Pet 1:18-19)
Willingness to buy (Mark 10:45)
(1) Jesus is our blood relative.
The eternal Son of God was born of a woman and become a man.
Galatians 4:4-5
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
(2) He has the sufficient resources to buy.
He obeyed God’s law perfectly and was thus an acceptable offering for our sin.
1 Peter 1:18-19
knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
(3) Jesus was willing to buy.
He paid the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross for our sins.
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Through Jesus, God’s own son, not only do we have the forgiveness but we also have a spiritual inheritance – we inherit the righteousness of Christ and spiritual blessings. We have a family – the church. We have a future with God forever (Ruth 1:16; Rev 21:3-4).
The story of Ruth is the story of the Bible. We are sin-sick Moabites who are hopeless without a redeemer. But, when we throw ourselves at the feet of our Redeemer, we have an inheritance that never fades. We have a family that never leaves. And we have a promising future. All of this is because of the work of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins in our place so that we can be reconciled with God.
Before getting into today’s text, I want to quickly want to summarize Ruth 1. Ruth took place in the days of the judges. The period of the judges, which was a time of spiritual turmoil, lasted about 325 years. During this time, there was no king in Israel – everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25).
The opening chapter of Ruth tells us there was a famine in Bethlehem. A man named Elimelech took his wife Naomi and their two sons to Moab. Moab was not a place that any Israelite should be. Elimelech had led his family to forsake God’s presence and God’s people in Bethlehem to seek provision in Moab. While in Moab, Elimelech died. After marrying Moabite women, Naomi’s two sons also died.
After 10 years in Moab, Naomi, the wife of Elimelech, heard that the Lord had provided food in Bethlehem. She decided to make the 50-70 mile journey back to Bethlehem. She encouraged her daughters-in-law to go back to Moab so that they would be provided for. Orpah turned back, but Ruth decided to go with Naomi to Bethlehem and embrace Yahweh as her God.
When Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred. Naomi asked the women to call her Mara (which means bitter). At this point in the story, Naomi is a bitter woman. Because there is no man in her life, she and Ruth have little in the way of provision.
Naomi and Ruth’s return to Bethlehem signaled that they were returning to God and his people. If you have sojourned into sin and neglected God and his people, what kind of reception should you expect to find? We get a glimpse of the character of God this morning as he cares for these women.
First, the narrator sets up the Ruth’s meeting with Boaz (1-7). Second, we read about Boaz and Ruth’s meeting (vv. 8-16). During this meeting, Boaz shows great generosity to Ruth. Third, Ruth returns home and visits with Naomi about her blessed day at Boaz’s field (vv. 17-23).
Setting up the Meeting with Boaz (1-7)
In v. 1, the narrator introduces Boaz to the story. He knows something that Ruth doesn’t. After grieving her husband’s death (1:9,14), Ruth trusts God (1:16) and gets to work (2:2-3,7).
In ancient Israel, God’s law provided for the poorest of the poor to eke out a meager existence by gleaning in the grain fields. Gleaning was hard work with little reward, and harvesters didn’t always take kindly to gleaners, but it was a way to stay alive.
Lev 19:9-10
“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.
Deut 24:19-22
19 “When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. 21 When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. 22 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this.
Gleaning involved gathering left-over grain after the harvest. Harvesters would cut the stalks of grain with one hand and catch it with the other. The grain that fell to the ground was left to the poor. Perhaps a modern-day equivalent would be rummaging through a dumpster to find food (though I would much prefer the Israelite alternative).
Ruth was not looking for a handout, but instead is willing to work hard. We know that ultimately God is our provider, but that does not excuse us from working hard (Prov 10:4).
Ruth trusts that God will help her find favor with a man (v. 2). She trusts that her work ethic will give her favor with a man who owns a field. In God’s providence, v. 3 says, “she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz.”
When times get tough, remember these truths:
Life is hard (John 16:33).
God is good (Ps 34:8).
He will never leave me nor forsake me (Heb 13:5).
I will trust in Him (Prov 3:5-6).
In your despair, trust God for provision (1-3).
In vv. 4-7, Boaz arrives at the field. He comes to the field from Bethlehem and blesses the reapers in his field – “The Lord be with you.” (v. 4). In this verse, we see that Boaz is a man that loves God. I can’t help but think of Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:13-16 where Jesus calls us to be salt and light. In a time when everyone did what was right in their own eyes, Boaz is a blessing to his workers. He is not a man that is full of himself. Even though he is the owner of the field, he cares for his workers. In addition, Boaz even notices Ruth, who is a gleaner, the lowest of the low.
In verse 5, Boaz asks, “Whose young woman is this?” Boaz wants to know whose family Ruth belongs to. Boaz’s field manager tells him who Ruth is – the Moabite woman that returned to town with Naomi (vv. 6-7).
The meeting of Boaz and Ruth (8-16)
Finally, Boaz and Ruth speak. The first thing that Boaz does is promise Ruth protection (vv. 8-9). When Boaz calls Ruth “my daughter” this indicates an age difference between Boaz and Ruth.
Boaz notices Ruth, a young, vulnerable woman with no protector. Rather than take advantage of her, Boaz chooses to protect her. What an example to us as men. Men of God, we, like Boaz, have been called to protect women (vv. 8-9, 22).
Boaz goes even further by giving Ruth permission to drink from water that his men have drawn. In this culture, typically foreigners drew the water for Israelites and women would draw water for men. So when Boaz gives Ruth (a foreigner) permission to drink from water drawn by his (Israelite) men, this is indeed extraordinary.
How does Ruth respond? With great humility. Look at v. 10 – “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”
Even after her hard work, she knows that she doesn’t deserve Boaz’s generosity. It’s so easy for us to think, “Of course God will notice me. I’m working hard for him. I deserve His favor.” When we do have that attitude, we lose sight of God’s kindness to us. Everything we have is a gift from God (Jam 1:17; 1 Cor 4:7).
Boaz has heard of Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi (v. 11). In v. 12, Boaz prays for Ruth. He prays for the Lord to repay Ruth for her kindness to Naomi. As we will see, Boaz doesn’t just pray to this end. He himself blesses Ruth in extraordinary ways.
In v. 13, Ruth again expresses humility and thanks to Boaz. At this point, I want to speak to any young women reading this post. Ladies, our culture says that marriage is outdated. Perhaps your family is encouraging you to go to college and work the rest of your life. But remember, marriage is God’s idea. There is great blessing in being married to a man that will lay down his life in service to Christ and his family (Eph 5:25-33). Ladies, let godly men care for you and receive God’s blessings with humilty.
At mealtime (vv. 14-16), Boaz shows even more generosity to Ruth. The fact that Boaz ate with his harvesters says something about the man, but his actions at this meal must have caught everyone by surprise. He invites Ruth to his table. Remember, she is a single woman and he is a man. She is poor and he is rich. She is a Moabite woman and he is an Israelite man. But notice that she ate until she was satisfied and she had some left over (v. 14).
Boaz is tough and tender. He is in charge of his fields. His workers respect his authority and listen to him. But he is also tender. He treats his workers well. He protects the young women that work for him. Men, let us be tough. Let us be men of conviction and courage. But let us also be tender towards our wives and daughters.
Boaz was not concerned with the opinions of others. He didn’t care that Ruth was a Moabite woman. He was not too proud to associate with her. When you love God, you love people and you don’t care what other people think (1 John 4:19).
As Christians, we should reflect the character of Boaz. Boaz was generous. He shared with those in need and extended compassion to the poor. Our culture says that there are two kinds of people – poor and rich. The Bible, however, describes four kinds of people: rich and generous, rich and selfish, poor and generous, and poor and selfish. I’ve heard it said that you will either love money and use people or you will use money to love people. Boaz used his money to love people and so should we.
Boaz was welcoming. We are to help those who may be outsiders to feel at home in our church and family. Boaz was in a sense evangelistic. We should share the gospel with those like Ruth who are written off by society.
May we be people that are generous, welcoming, and evangelistic. If we will be this kind of person, we’ll change the world. Finally, in vv. 15-16, Boaz instructs his men to let Ruth get as much food as she wants and to not rebuke her.
Processing the Meeting of Boaz and Ruth (17-23)
Gleaners usually took home just enough to live on. Paid harvesters might be given a liter or so of grain for their work, which was enough to support a family. Ruth took home an ephah (v. 17), which is between 30-50 pounds of grain. This would’ve fed her and Naomi for around two months.
In vv. 18-19, Naomi wants to know how the day went. Naomi sees the enormous amount of food that Ruth has brought back, which not only included the 30-50 pounds of grain but also the leftovers from lunch. She wonders, who was the man who took notice of you? Ruth then names Boaz.
Naomi is elated! She says that Boaz has shown kindness to Ruth and Naomi and her dead husband. Remember from verse 1 that Boaz is a relative of Elimelech. Naomi informs Ruth that Boaz is a redeemer! We’ll talk more about this next week, but a kinsman-redeemer was a family member that was to care for the family of the dead.
In vv. 21-23 Ruth tells Naomi about Boaz’s promise of protection and Naomi tells Ruth to stay in Boaz’s field, because she could be assaulted if she gleans in another man’s field. Ruth gleaned in Boaz’s field throughout the harvest season, which would have lasted about two months.
Naomi and Ruth came back to Bethlehem empty. When Ruth left for the morning, she was empty. Ruth came to Boaz’s table empty and went away full. Ruth came to Boaz’s field empty and went away full.
Here’s the main takeaway from Ruth 2 – in your despair, trust God’s providence.
In your despair, trust God’s providence.
God’s fingerprints are everywhere in the story:
Ruth “happens” to end up in Boaz’s field (v. 3). Boaz notices her (vv. 3-6). Boaz extends generosity (vv. 14-20). Boaz offers protection (vv. 8-13, 21-23). Boaz is a kinsman redeemer (vv. 1, 20). Boaz was a “worthy man” (v. 1) that had the total package–integrity, valor, moral character, and wealth.
Conclusion
When you step out in faith instead of throwing a pity party, God will provide. While we don’t always understand God’s ways, we can trust He is working for our good.
In what ways can you see God’s hand at work in your life?
Ruth left for the day empty and she came back full. Ruth came to Bethlehem as a foreigner and a widow. As she trusted in God’s providence, he gives her provision and protection through the generosity of Boaz.
Boaz points to Jesus while Ruth points to the church and God’s people.
You and I are like Ruth:
She came from Moab – we come from a spiritually sick family (Rom 3:23).
She came empty handed – we come empty handed. We have no righteousness to offer to God (Rom 3:10-11).
All that we have is what we have gleaned from God’s field of goodness and grace (Jam 1:17). As the great hymn How Great Thou Art says, “All thy needs thy hand had provideth.”
Boaz points us to Jesus:
Boaz came to his field – Jesus comes to earth (John 1:14).
Boaz pronounced a blessing over his people – Jesus came to save his people (Matt 1:21).
Boaz approached those who were not his people and spoke love and grace to her. Jesus came to teach us about the Father (Heb 1:3).
Boaz blessed Ruth with his generosity. Jesus blesses us by generously dying for our sins in our place (2 Cor 5:21).
The whole story of the Bible is that Jesus is a glorious Boaz and we are needy Moabites like Ruth.
The whole story of the Bible is that Jesus is a glorious Boaz and we are needy Moabites like Ruth.
If you are not a Christian, you are separated from God and you are without hope. The Bible says that God’s wrath remains on you (John 3:36).
In our story, Ruth threw herself at the feet of Boaz, thankful for his generosity. If are not a Christian, you need to throw yourself to the feet of Jesus and trust in his finished work on the cross. If you turn from your sin and trust in Christ, you will be brought near by his blood.
Ruth and Naomi came to Bethlehem in ruin, and now they are rejoicing because of the Lord’s kindness.
In your despair, look to God for provision and protection as you trust in His providence.
