Monday 16 May

Ruth 1:1-2:23

The last time we saw a Moabite woman she was being speared through the stomach during an illicit sexual liaison with Zimri son of Salu (Numbers 25).  The Moabite women were seen to epitomise evil and corruption, to be a dangerous snare to Israel.  So it is incredibly shocking to see a Moabite woman being welcomed into Israel to such an extent that she is given a bible book of her own.  From Ruth's side, what sets her apart from Orpah and the other Moabite women is that she sought refuge under the wings of the God of Israel.  But, to give that more than just a passing mention would be to lose sight of the big story in this book.  Ruth is the story of God’s willingness to welcome anyone.  Ruth is the story of the God’s happiness to provide for any person who comes to him.  Ruth is the illustration of our God’s character - rich in generosity, abounding in love, willing to appear contradictory and fickle just for the sake of having people join his family.  Ruth should have been one of the last people to receive forgiveness and welcome from our God.  She, like Paul after her, serves as an example and an encouragement to us - we are deeply loved by a God who has endless reserves of patience and forgiveness.  There are many Ruths out there today who God is drawing to himself.  We just need to leave sheaves of barley out for them to pick up.

John 9:1-34

For the past few chapters John has been drilling into the issue of faith and division over Jesus.  Today he illustrates this divisiveness through the rollercoaster ride to faith of this man born blind.  Each time John shows how objections or barriers to faith - here expressed through the man’s parents and the Pharisees - are artificial and invalid.  People may obscure the truth because of their fear of others.  People may flat out deny the truth because of their prejudices and instinct for self-preservation.  But if you come to Jesus with an open mind you will see that he is from God.  Jesus has healed a man born blind.  Eyes that were not properly formed in the womb had their creation process completed by Him.  Jesus can mould, sustain and extend creation.  His power is compelling.  Any sane person would submit their life to the One who manages all creation.  Any sane person would at the very least explore who this man is, at less press into his identity and potential sources of his power.  That is the call on the church today, to demonstrate the power of Jesus and then give people an opportunity to explore who he is.  Demonstration and proclamation, that is the mandate for the church.  Some will react badly but those who are open will be amazed at what they discover.

Proverbs 12:8-17

I am a nobody but sadly I have no servant.  But I still think I’m better off than if I pretended to be somebody and had no food.