Four Points Church

It is important to note that Matthew 13 contains eight parables in which Jesus explains the Kingdom of Heaven.  We will only look at the first of these parables in this section.  While it is commonly referred to as the parable of the sower, the application seems to be more on the four types of surfaces or soils that the seed falls upon. This parable answers many common questions that Christians have concerning other people that seemed to be Christians at one point, but have fallen away from their faith.  How can this occur?  Were they ever really saved?  The answers to these questions can be gleaned from this agricultural depiction of how God saves people.

There are so many things we can glean from this chapter but what we need to look at is the way that Boaz approached what needed to be done and the excellent character of Ruth. He didn’t think of it as a WIIFM (what’s in it for me?”) He had a heart for the poor and we see that in how he responds to Ruth in chapters 2 and 3. From what we see he was a man of moral character. He was a cheerful and generous giver. He, without hesitation, entered into this contract and relationship with Ruth. The closest relative to them would not purchase the land and immediately changed his mind when he heard that Ruth was a part of the deal. Boaz was one who was selfless and kind.

As the parent of Ruth, Naomi seeks to find her daughter a husband in order to keep the family name alive as described in Deuteronomy 25:5. Naomi desires a “rest” for her daughter-in-law (v.1), that is, to find her a state in which she will not have to live in such a depressed situation as the one which they now live, being widowed and without a place in the world. Naomi does not wish to subject Ruth to the weariness of the burden that is being without a family name to perpetuate. Knowing who Boaz is, Naomi trusts that the rest that Ruth will find is under his care (Matt 11:28). So she instructs Ruth, leading her to her redeemer (Rom 10:14-17).

God has favor on His people. Now this can seem very odd to some, for God is a holy God, meaning He is good, He is righteous. The very same people who God created have rejected Him and are now sinners, because from their hearts are nothing but wickedness, evil and darkness.

The story of Ruth is a beautiful narrative of hope, romance, and redemption. Nevertheless, it begins as a tragic one. Referencing the days of the Judges, this was a time when the people did what was right in their own eyes (Judges 17:6).

Truth can be so obvious. Yet, many people remain blind to what is front of them. Those who couldn’t see what Lincoln was saying led the United States into a bloody civil war where brother fought brother. Those who couldn’t see what Jesus was saying where those who truly sided with satan. This is why Jesus speaks of them as “vipers,” which shows their allegiance to the “serpent of old” (vs. 34; Revelation 12:9).

Our text opens with the Pharisees scrambling to have an answer for the miracles that Jesus is performing. The crowds were beginning to consider that He may truly be who He says (vs. 23). The Pharisees began accusing Jesus of working through the power of the devil. Jesus had earlier begun to dismiss the Pharisees by using scripture (12:3-8). At this point, Jesus appeals to logic and reason to dismiss their accusations. He famously tells the Pharisees that, “every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste.”

Scripture teaches us that one day a week should be for rest and worship (Exodus 20:8-11). Every generation has had different ideas about what it looks like to rest on the Sabbath, especially first century scribes and pharisees. The Bible itself speaks very little as to what “keeping the Sabbath” is, and isn’t. In fact, the whole Torah (first five books of the Bible) only condemns one activity on the Sabbath, which is gathering sticks and kindling a fire (Exodus 35:1-3; Numbers 15:32-36). Throughout the rest of the Old Testament very little is added to the list of what “work” is. We are instructed that we shouldn’t carry burdens (Jeremiah 17:21-27), buy or sell (Nehemiah 10:31; 13:15-17; Amos 8:4-5), or use the Sabbath for our own pleasure, but to delight in God (Isaiah 58:13). That's it.That's all the instruction God gives us for keeping the Sabbath holy.

Jesus often uses the analogy of children when He is showing the difference that exists between His followers and everyone else.  Children are the great dependent class of humanity.  They would be utterly doomed without parents or guardians to feed, clothe, and train them. This hearkens back to the first beatitude that Jesus taught in the gospel of Matthew, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (5:3).  Scripture makes it clear it is impossible for the wisdom of this world to move us toward God (I Corinthians 1:18-31; 3:18-21).  Like children, we must be completely aware of our need to be shown the way by God Himself.  This affirms the teaching of Jesus who declares we must be like children to come to Him (Matthew 18:3).

Most people become Christians under the guise that Jesus is going to make everything in their life perfect.  It can be a real letdown when we come to the knowledge that Christians are not exempt from trials and hardships.  We find John the Baptist in a very similar situation.