The opening chapter of the book of Ruth is complicated for a variety of reasons. One reason is that the message we choose to hear shapes our hearts more than we realize.

So the question is: What are you listening for?

Are you listening for offense? For criticism? For failure?

Or are you listening for grace, truth, and the whisper of God’s voice?

Ruth 1 - God wants to work in our uncomfortable in-between.

"Our unimpressive, very ordinary lives make us feel like outsiders to such a star studded cast. We disqualify ourselves. Guilt or willfulness or accident makes a loophole and we assume that what is true for everyone else is not true for us. We conclude that we are, somehow, just not religious and thus unfit to participate in the big story.

And then we turn a page and come on this small story of two widows and a farmer in their out-of-the-way village."

Eugene Peterson, Introduction to Ruth

We tend to see what it is we are looking for.

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports our prior beliefs or values.

We believe we understand Peter's story from that night. However, there is a crucial aspect we often overlook. "Inconsistency seems to be a lifelong battle for Peter."

John 18:15–16

15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

Guest Speaker: Rachel Yokers

The Resurrection story is incredible on many levels, one of which is what does not happen after Jesus returns from the grave. Unlike modern power narratives, this is not a story of revenge.

Art Study Link - "Christ's Entry into Brussels" by James Ensor

https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/object/103QSA