The Book of Ruth With Bianca Juarez: A 7-Day RightNow Media DevotionalНамуна

How do you think our culture views the concept of sacrifice—positively or negatively?

In most cultures around the world, sacrifice is seen as honorable. Whether it’s a firefighter putting themselves in harm’s way to save another’s life or a parent working overtime to put a child through school, sacrifice is recognized and praised. In today’s session, we’ll see Boaz fulfill his promise to Ruth—to redeem her—and sacrifice his family name to do so.

Reflect

Boaz’s actions in this passage point to a deep theological theme that runs throughout Scripture: sacrifice. God often loves through sacrifice, as do His faithful followers. When has someone sacrificed for you? How did their sacrifice make you feel? In what ways did it impact your life?

As Boaz showed, sacrifice is about taking action for the good of another, often at your own expense. What opportunities do you have right now to sacrifice for someone in your life? What steps could you take to work for their good, even if it costs you something of value?

Respond

Boaz went out of his way to provide for Ruth and Naomi, and he set aside his name when he didn’t have to. His sacrificial love reminds us of the greatest example of God’s love—Jesus’s sacrifice. As followers of Jesus, we too are to exhibit sacrificial love to the world. Our personal glory, possessions, or reputation fall to the wayside in light of the kingdom of God.

Choose something to sacrifice this week (money, time, energy, convenience, etc.) for the sake of a relationship, whether a spouse, friend, coworker, or someone else. Go out of your way to love that person sacrificially.