1 July 2026
“At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman! So he asked, ‘Who are you?’ ‘I am Ruth, your servant,’ she replied. ‘Take me under your wing, for you are a family redeemer.’”
Ruth’s request was both humble and courageous. She did not approach Boaz with demands or bargaining power. She came as a servant, appealing to his mercy as her family redeemer. In his sermon on this passage, Mark Penrith highlights her posture. “Note Ruth’s submission. I am your servant. Note her plea. Take me under your wing, for you are a family redeemer.” Ruth knew she could not secure her own future. She entrusted herself to the one who was able to redeem her.
That picture points beyond Boaz to Jesus Christ. Mark explains, “Ruth approached Boaz empty-handed. She had nothing to offer. She threw herself on his mercy. She received his promise.” He then applies the truth to every believer. “Sinners come to Jesus the same way. Nothing to offer. No righteousness. No bargaining power. Just need. Just a plea. Cover me. Protect me. Redeem me.” This is the heart of the gospel. We do not earn God’s favour through religious effort. We receive His grace through faith in His Son. As Ephesians 2:8 says, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is God’s gift.”
Many Christians know this truth, yet quietly drift back into performance. We imagine God loves us more when we have a good week, or less when we fail. But our standing before Him rests entirely on Christ’s finished work. Mark reminds us, “Jesus did not merely promise to redeem. He paid the price.” Because He bore our sin and rose again, we come with confidence, not because of our merit, but because of His mercy. Empty hands are the only hands Christ ever fills.
Take a few quiet moments today to thank Jesus that your acceptance before God does not depend on your performance. If you have children, remind them that God does not love us because we are good enough. He loves all who trust His Son. Help them see that salvation is a gift to receive, not a reward to earn.
Discussion Question: Why is it difficult to come to Jesus with empty hands instead of trying to prove yourself?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that You welcome me by grace alone. Help me to rest in Your finished work and to trust You with empty hands. Amen.