Through the cross, Jesus redeems his people like a bride rescued from death. The story of Ruth and Boaz reflects this covenant love, pointing to Christ the Redeemer who gives himself for his church. He rescues us from sin and death, making us his beloved bride and calling us to live in love and hope.

"You are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption."

All springs from the Cross?

"God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

What makes Jesus’ cross, his spilled blood, his willing sacrifice, so compelling? What does his work achieve for us? 

"Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises."

A covenant is a solemn agreement between two parties more binding than a contract. A contract is a 50-50 proposition. If you don’t do your part, I’m no longer obligated to do my part. A covenant typically signifies “I’m committing to you this particular action or truth regardless of what you do, or death is the outcome.”

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us."

Propitiation means to appease wrath. It’s not a word we use every day. Not a concept we like, but a whole industry is built on propitiation! What do we bring to avert wrath?

"He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will."

How is Barabbas a type for all of us, all of us who are insurrectionists against God? How does substitution work in the story of Barabbas and our story? 

We look through the window of the cross to see how sinners gain a new legal standing before a righteous God. We stood beneath a debt we could never afford, our failures and transgressions recorded against us. But in Christ, God canceled the record of debt . . . nailing it to the cross. Jesus paid the legal price for crimes he did not commit, and with his final word—tetelestai, finished—our debt was discharged. In the great exchange, my record of sinfulness goes to Jesus, and his record of faithfulness goes to me. Thus, God becomes both just and the justifier of sinners, offering grace, mercy, and a cleared record to all who lean upon Christ. 

"He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption."

Does Jesus’ blood purchase our redemption now AND those sins that the animals were sacrificed for? What does God do with those sins that were covered with “lesser” blood than Jesus? 

Blood=Life

"We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and wisdom of God."

Why can’t you separate the horror of the cross from the wonder of the sacrifice? We can’t fully grasp the wonder without realizing its horror. 

"He appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him."

How does Jesus’ method emphasize the power of a few? What hope does that give us as disciple makers?