On the basis of Paul’s argument until this point, he states that the Christian is living a new experience of God’s forgiveness. Paul uses the imagery of baptism and the sacrificial ritual of the Day of Atonement to explain Christ’s death on the cross. He defines what it is to be a Christian.

Paul develops his understanding of the gospel. Everyone falls short of God’s standard. With Christ, there is a new era; he has the power to rescue humanity. Paul uses imagery from the law courts, the slave market and the Temple sacrifice to explain Christ’s death on the cross

Darkness comes and the whole atmosphere changes. Through the four statements Jesus makes, we can understand the physical, emotional and relational cost to Jesus and what the cross achieved for us.

Fasting is the third part of Jewish religious activity that Jesus presents in a different way for Christians. It is private, mostly personal and for heightened spiritual awareness.

Fasting is discussed with reference to the Old Testament, traditions and present day. Jesus uses images of new and old cloth, and wine skin, to show change from Judaism to Christianity.