Dear Family and Friends,

We all know that life is full of setbacks, those dreaded issues that unexpectedly arise in our health, finances, relationships, work and more. Let’s face it – life is tough.

And it’s been that way since the beginning of time, as seen in the many stories of setbacks in the Bible.

For example, recall how:

The best and the brightest of the Kingdom of Judah were exiled to Babylon. (2 Kings 24:8-16)

And after losing their husbands, Ruth and Naomi were destined to a life of poverty. (Ruth 1:3)

Who can forget that Adam and Eve (and the rest of mankind since) were banished from Eden and the presence of God. (Genesis 3:23-24)

But let me remind us that these stories and more are not just tales of setbacks. They are stories of redemption – displays of our God redeeming those setbacks, even the ones that were self-inflicted.

So what is redemption? Redemption is easiest defined by looking at it’s many forms.

Redemption means to free someone from captivity or slavery.

For example, the exiles is Babylon were allowed to return to Jerusalem. See Ezra 1 for how God moved Cyrus the king of Persia to send them back.

Redemption means to buy back something or someone lost or sold.

For example, Ruth and Naomi were redeemed by Boaz. See Ruth 4 for the happy ending to their story.

Allow me to add an observation. When God redeems, He makes everything better than before. 

For example, the years spent in exile by the Judeans were not wasted years. Many scholars believe that the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament previously passed down through oral tradition, were reduced to writing by the best and the brightest during the Babylonian exile.

In our other story, Boaz and Ruth were married and had a son named Obed. He was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David. And we know that Jesus was not many generations behind.

Can you see how great things happen when God redeems?

There is one last form of redemption we will cover today, the redemption of Adam and Eve’s ill-advised decision. 

Redemption also means to exchange something in one’s possession for something possessed by another.

We’re familiar with what Christ did for mankind. “[Christ] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” Titus‬ ‭2:14‬ ESV

Here Paul points out something special that is supposed to happen upon redemption. That when people have been redeemed, freed from sin and it’s power, they respond with a zeal, an eager devotion and passion to do good works.

Allow me to close with a recent story of redemption.

In May 2019, a sister from our church accepted Jesus’ calling to become a pastor. Most who go through this process take about a year. But none had to face the setbacks she had to face.

First, Covid completely halted her training. Then a few months later she suffered an even greater setback.

She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. The kind that requires equally aggressive treatments. The kind that steals all strength and resolve to fight the disease.

Tricia decided to fight her illness. Her three year battle was fueled by her deep desire to do good works for Jesus.

Today, we thank Jesus for healing our dear sister. Her cancer is in remission and her good health has returned.

And this past Wednesday, it was an honor to observe her pastoral interview and witness Tricia Van Corbach become Pastor Tricia.

Tricia’s story of redemption can be our story too.

Jesus gave Himself for us.

He redeemed us. He purified us. He loves us.

Let’s respond, by becoming all who Jesus wants us to be.

In love always,