• The Explore the Bible lesson for Feb. 7 focuses on Luke 5:17-26.

My late father-in-law—who also was my “father-in-the-ministry”— gave me a very simple but very profound piece of advice when I began what would become a 25-year preaching ministry. He exhorted me that in my preaching I needed to “just give ’em Jesus.”

My father-in-law’s practical take on our focal passage this week was this: If you want to draw a crowd, if you want to “fill a house,” if you want your church building to overflow with people, just be sure Jesus is in the house. Be sure you are “giving ’em Jesus.” Pretty good church growth advice for any church and any pastor today.

As interesting of a take as my father-in-law’s might have been on this passage, my take is a little more theological in nature. I see the focus of the passage being found in verse 20: “When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

Claim to deity

For me, this claim of Jesus’s the authority and power to forgive sins is one of the most significant proofs of his deity. By claiming to forgive sins, Jesus was claiming to do something only God can do. In Isaiah 43:25 God clearly states: “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

The response of the religious leaders indicates exactly what they thought Jesus was claiming. “The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, ‘Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’” (v.21) Jesus was committing blasphemy in their eyes. Jesus was claiming to be God.

Regarding the deity of Christ, theologian Millard Erickson writes: “What did Jesus think and believe about himself? Some have argued that Jesus did not himself make any claim to be God… It is true that Jesus did not make an explicit and overt claim to deity. He did not say in so many words, ‘I am God.’ What we do find, however, are claims that would be inappropriate if made by someone who is less than God.” And at the top of Erickson’s list of these claims of deity is Jesus’ claim to forgive sins.

In a sermon, John MacArthur once commented:

“This is the most outrageous blasphemy conceivable. This man is talking as if he is God. He might as well have said he’s the Creator of the universe, that he’s the Holy One of Israel, that he’s the Redeemer of Zion, that he’s the holy and Almighty One, the eternal judge, the God of glory. He might as well have said that because they think, ‘Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ And they were right. You can’t come to Jesus with any patronizing nonsense about being the good teacher. He’s either God, or he is a blasphemer. Some people have said, ‘Well, you know, the Jewish people, they rejected Jesus because they didn’t quite get what he was saying.’ Yeah, they got what he was saying. They rejected him because they did get what he was saying. They were exactly right. Who can forgive sin but God alone? Answer? Nobody. So either Jesus is God, or he’s the rankest blasphemer that ever lived. There aren’t any other options.”

The religious leaders knew full well that Jesus was claiming to be nothing less than God himself.

Amazement and praise

In contrast to the response of the religious leaders, notice the response of the recipient of the miracle, the paralyzed man who had been healed: “Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had be lying on and went home praising God.” (v. 25).

And notice the response of the people who were present that day: “Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, ‘We have seen remarkable things today.’” (v. 26).

How will you respond to the deity of Christ? With skepticism and rejection? Or with amazement and praise? The fully divine Jesus has done “remarkable things” in your life. He has done nothing less than a miracle in your life. He has forever “healed” you from the “paralysis” of your sin. Why not do a “remarkable thing” yourself in response and believe in and trust in this fully divine Jesus?

Jim Lemons is professor of theological studies and leadership at Dallas Baptist University. He is a senior adult Sunday school teacher at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas. 

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Jan. 31 focuses on Luke 5:4-11, 27-32.

All of us are going to experience failure in life. Famed author of the Harry Potter book series, J.K. Rowling, said in a 2008 Harvard commencement address,  “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.” Failure is one of those universal experiences that bind our humanity together. We’re all going to experience failure.

In the Apostle Peter’s first encounter with Jesus, we read about a major setback in Peter’s life, a failed fishing expedition. Peter and his friends were professional fishermen. Peter would have had a good boat and the best nets. He knew that lake like the back of his hand. He knew exactly where to catch the most fish. And yet after fishing all night long, he and his friends came up empty. Peter had failed.

But in the rest of the story, we read how Jesus transformed Peter’s failure into success. You ought to see some good news in this story if you have ever experienced failure in your life. This passage tells you to do three things in order for Jesus to turn your setbacks into successes.

1. Get Jesus in your boat.

The real key to the success of that second fishing expedition was simply the fact that Jesus “got into the boat.” Nothing will make a bigger difference in your personal success in life than simply appropriating the presence of Jesus in your life—every day. You’ve got to get Jesus in your boat, every part of it. Peter’s boat represented his business, his livelihood. And Peter allowed Jesus to use his business as a platform for ministry. What a great key for success for us today!

2. Follow Jesus’ instructions.

Jesus instructed Peter to, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Now those were some unusual fishing instructions for Peter to follow. In fact, they really didn’t make a whole lot of sense to an experienced fisherman like Peter. You typically don’t find fish way out in the “deep waters.” Fish are usually caught “in the shallows.” And fish are usually caught at dawn, not in the middle of the day. But Peter had to learn that day that a key to success in life is doing what Jesus says, even if it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Peter had to learn to cooperate with God’s plan and follow Jesus’ instructions, no matter what. And there’s another great key for success for us today.

3. Obey Jesus in faith and without hesitation.

Peter may have had his doubts and fears about those unusual fishing instructions from Jesus, but Peter’s response gives us the third key for turning setbacks into successes: “But because you say so I will let down the nets.” Peter didn’t have to think about it, analyze it, or even pray about it. Jesus simply told him to do something and Peter responded immediately, without hesitation, and in complete, trusting faith. Now, there’s a key for success we all need to learn.

Perhaps you are feeling like a failure today. Join the club. Perhaps you are feeling like you’ve “been working all night and come up with an empty net.” Welcome to the human race. As Pastor Rick Warren notes, “We usually think of failure as negative. But wise people know how to take advantage of failure. They learn from it. They use it as an education. One of the primary tools that God uses in your life to make you what he wants you to be is failure.” Bill Gates says it well: “It’s fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.”

What are the lessons of failure you need to heed today? Get Jesus in your boat, follow the instructions of Jesus, and obey Jesus in faith and without hesitation. If you will follow these three simple steps, you will be well on your way to Jesus turning your most disappointing setbacks into delightful successes.
Jim Lemons is professor of theological studies and leadership at Dallas Baptist University. He is a senior adult Sunday school teacher at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas. 

• Lesson 8 in the BaptistWay Press Connect 360 unit “The reMARKable Journey Begins” focuses on Mark 2:18-22.

Jesus’ coming was the beginning of something new. He had not come merely to repair and refurbish the rituals of Judaism. Jesus had come to create an entirely new way of relating to God—a covenant that was not written on tablets of stone but on the hearts of his followers. Jesus used two everyday objects to illustrate his point—patches and wineskins.

Old and new

When I made my first quilt, I made the mistake of not prewashing my fabric. The squares I carefully pieced together looked beautiful until I washed the quilt for the first time. The fabrics shrank unevenly, and some of the seams pulled apart where the fabric had shrunk. Jesus pointed out something similar with his first comparison. “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new will pull away from the old, making the tear worse” (Mark 2:21). A patch made from unshrunk cloth would shrink when washed, pulling apart from the garment the same way my quilt squares pulled apart in the washing machine. New fabric cannot be used to patch up old cloth.

Jesus’ second illustration made a similar point, “No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined (Mark 2:21). In Jesus’ time, wineskins were made from leather. This allowed the wineskin to gradually stretch as the wine expanded and fermented. However, a winemaker could not put new wine into an old wineskin. If an old wineskin was filled with new wine, the wineskin could not stretch any further. The wine would eventually burst it as it expanded, much like a full can of soda will burst if you put it in the freezer. New wine had to go into a new wineskin.

Jesus was making a point about his ministry. Just as new cloth could not be used to patch up an old garment and new wine could not be stored in an old wineskin; the new kingdom of God could not be poured into the old routines and rituals of Judaism. Jesus’ coming fulfilled the law and the law’s demands. From now on, the people of God would not be defined by their heritage or by the rituals they kept. God’s people would be defined by and recognized by their relationship with Jesus.

Ritual no substitute for relationship

It is still our relationship with Christ that defines God’s people. And yet, we still sometimes want to let religious rituals determine whether a person is faithful in our eyes. I will admit it feels strange to me not to bring my Bible to church. I like having a physical copy of the Bible in my hand, but I should not judge the faith of those who prefer to use a Bible app on their smartphone or tablet. Nor is wearing a suit and tie to church a greater measure of faithfulness than wearing jeans. A person could be in church every Sunday dressed in their finest and carrying a Bible the size of a small child but still be ignorant of Christ’s saving grace. The rituals and habits of our worship are important, but they stand in service to our relationship with Christ—not a replacement for it.

Compiled by Stan Granberry, marketing coordinator for BaptistWay Press.

To learn more about BaptistWay Press and the Connect360 Bible study series, or to order materials, click here.   

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Jan. 24 focuses on Luke 4:16-30.

Our students in the Graduate School of Ministry at Dallas Baptist University are required to write a life purpose statement. They typically do this in one of the first courses they take, and then they are required to restate it in the final course of their degree program. It’s always interesting for students to see how their life purpose statement has been refined or clarified after two or three years taking ministry preparation courses.

Articulating a life purpose statement is a good exercise for anyone, and especially for any believer. Here’s one definition: “A life purpose statement simply captures an overriding theme already present in your life. It puts down in words the true work you are here to do: the cause you will pursue, the wound in individuals or society you will seek to heal, the problem you will devote your life to fixing. It states the highest, purest, most others-oriented aim of your life.”

Did you know that Jesus had a Life Purpose Statement? As he began his public ministry, he articulated it in the very first sermon he ever preached. It’s found in our focal Bible study passage for this week: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19, NIV).

Focused on helping those who are hurting

What was the focus of Jesus’ life purpose statement? It clearly centered on people—specifically on the purpose of helping people who were hurting. In quoting from Isaiah 61:1-2, Jesus stated that he was going to focus on these kinds of people—the poor, the prisoner, the blind, the oppressed. These were the hurting people of his day—and ours.

In that last verse, Jesus talked about “proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor.” When God created the nation Israel, he established “the year of the Lord’s favor,” also known as the “Year of Jubilee.” This was to be a year in which all debts would be cancelled, prisoners would be let go, slaves would be set free, and all land purchased in the past 50 years would revert back to its original owner. How sad is it that there is no specific reference anywhere in Scripture that speaks of Israel ever fulfilling this divine mandate? Their obstinance so angered God, in the book of Jeremiah he said he would send his people into captivity because of their disobedience. It was there in captivity Isaiah wrote these words that Jesus would later quote.

God cared about people who were hurting—then and now.

Jesus is the Year of Jubilee in the flesh

The late Robert Parham, founder and executive director of the Baptist Center for Ethics once wrote: “Luke 4:18-19 is one of the most ignored, watered down, spiritualized or glossed-over texts in many Baptist pulpits, evading or emptying Jesus’ first statement of his moral agenda. Jesus said the gospel was for the poor and oppressed, speaking to those at the margins of society. Jesus was announcing that he came to liberate from real oppressive structures the marginalized—the impoverished, the war captives, the poor in health, the political prisoners. Jesus came to turn the economic structures upside down, instituting the year of Jubilee when crushing debts were forgiven and slaves were freed.”

In commenting on the Luke 4 passage, Arkansas pastor, judge and activist Wendell Griffen exhorted: “Are there poor among us? Then the purpose of Jesus should impel us to address the causes of that poverty. Are there oppressed people among us? Then the purpose of Jesus should impel us to address the systems that keep them down, and the despair that prevents them from seeing a way out. Are their wounded and afflicted people among us? Then the purpose of Jesus calls us, pleads with us, and impels us to enter their suffering experience and be divine agents of liberation, healing, recovery and hope. Make no mistake, my friends. This is not a call to tourism Christianity where we drop in on suffering people at times and under circumstances we find convenient. This is a call to travel the Jericho Roads where people are beaten, bruised, and abandoned by the systemic powers of our time. It is a call to enter into the experience of people who are cast out of life because they are different. It is a call to walk like Jesus, live like Jesus, pray like Jesus, love like Jesus, heal like Jesus, be criticized like Jesus, become labeled as subversive like Jesus, and even to suffer like Jesus.”

When Jesus quoted Isaiah’s words in his first sermon in his hometown synagogue, he was in essence proclaiming that he—himself—was going to be the Year of Jubilee. He would be on a good news freedom mission for the helpless, the hopeless and the hurting.

That was the life purpose statement of Jesus. How does your life purpose statement match up with his?

Jim Lemons is professor of theological studies and leadership at Dallas Baptist University. He is a senior adult Sunday school teacher at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas.

• Lesson 7 in the BaptistWay Press Connect 360 unit “The reMARKable Journey Begins” focuses on Mark 2:13-17.

Levi celebrated his decision by inviting Jesus to eat at his home. This probably was a formal dinner given in Jesus’ honor. Guests reclined together on cushions seated around a low table. Levi included a diverse guest list—Jesus and his disciples, as well as “many tax collectors and sinners.” Levi probably invited his friends to join Jesus and his disciples at the banquet. Jesus’ acceptance of Levi signaled that others who shared his despised profession would also be welcomed. Levi also invited many “sinners.” This word sometimes is used to describe people who had no time or interest in following the Pharisees’ strict rules for ritual cleanness. It also could be used to describe those whose morals were lacking—the “scoundrels” of the first-century world. Either way, many people from this group were drawn to Jesus and chose to follow him. (Mark L. Strauss, Mark: Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)

In the ancient world, sharing a meal together sent an important social signal. Most people would eat only with those who shared similar social status. Jesus was not concerned with issues of social rank or standing. By eating with Levi and his guests, Jesus showed acceptance. All those who would follow him were welcomed to come, regardless of their past, their baggage or their qualifications. Scripture sometimes speaks of a great feast that will take place at the end of time to celebrate the kingdom of God (Isaiah 25:6-8; Revelation 19:9; Luke 14:15). The only people excluded from this feast will be those who refused Christ’s invitation to enter. By eating with sinners—as Jesus did throughout his ministry—Jesus was foreshadowing the great heavenly banquet that is yet to come. Jesus is even now preparing a feast for his people, and all those who come to him in repentance are welcome.

Holiness is good, but not self-righteousness

The Pharisees were angered by Jesus’ actions. The Pharisees strictly observed the Old Testament Law. They particularly were concerned with holiness and with avoiding anything that could defile them spiritually or make them ritually unclean. To avoid this defilement, the Pharisees followed the oral law as well as the written law. This oral law was what is sometimes known as the “fence around the law,” a body of oral tradition that expanded on and attempted to clarify the Old Testament. The idea was that if they did not break the “fence” around the commandment, they would also not break the commandment itself. The Pharisees would never have dreamed of eating at the home of a common Israelite—much less a tax collector—because they could not be sure that the food had been prepared according to their standards. Since Jesus was a respected teacher, they expected him to follow their standards. (Strauss)

The Pharisees’ desire for holiness was good, but they let their desire warp into self-righteousness and exclusionary practices. Their insistence on following rules they themselves had created put obstacles in the way of people who were seeking God. We need to be careful that we do not make the same mistake. Holiness and righteousness are good things, but we must remember that our righteousness does not come from ourselves. It is the gift of God. Jesus did not hesitate to keep company with “sinners.” Neither should we.

Compiled by Stan Granberry, marketing coordinator for BaptistWay Press.

To learn more about BaptistWay Press and the Connect360 Bible study series, or to order materials, click here.   

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Jan.17 focuses on Luke 6:27-38.

“Orthodoxy” is a fancy theological word that simply means “right thinking.” “Orthopraxy” is the word that simply means “right living.” Jesus certainly was concerned with our orthodoxy, our “right thinking.” In John 8:31-32, Jesus famously declared, “If you hold to my teaching (orthodoxy) you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth (orthodoxy), and the truth (orthodoxy) will set you free.” Jesus obviously cared a lot about believing the right kind of teachings and knowing the right kind of truth. But in our focal Bible study passage this week from Luke 6:27-38, we see Jesus now focusing on our orthopraxy, our “right living.”

This passage is a part of what’s referred to as the Sermon on the Plain, which has striking similarities to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. Both sermons focus on the right kind of “right living” that Christ followers ought to be living. Take a look at the list of “orthopraxy” imperatives that Jesus declares in this “Sermon on the Plain” passage:

• Love your enemies.
• Do good to those who hate you.
• Bless those who curse you.
• Pray for those who mistreat you.
• Turn the other cheek.
• Give to everyone who asks you.
• Do to others as you would have them do to you.
• Lend to your enemies without expecting anything in return.
• Be merciful.
• Do not judge.
• Do not condemn.
• Forgive and you will be forgiven.
• Give and it will be given to you.

Is there any wonder why these sayings of Jesus are referred to as the “hard sayings” of Jesus? If this is the kind of “right living” God expects from us, we have what seems to be almost impossible lives to live up to. What a high bar of orthopraxy Jesus is holding us accountable to!

Belief and behavior

We Baptists always have placed a high priority on our “right thinking,” and rightfully so. We believe it’s imperative that we teach and preach the “right thinking” kind of things that the Bible affirms. Our orthodoxy and our high view of the Scriptures has always been one of our denominational hallmarks. What we believe is important, but so is how we behave.

What we believe affects how we behave, and how we behave is always impacted by what we believe. Do you see how important it is that we keep our orthodoxy connected to our orthopraxy? In John 7:17, Jesus certainly tied the two together: “Anyone who chooses to do the will of God (orthopraxy) will find out whether my teaching comes from God (orthodoxy) or whether I speak on my own.” Interestingly, our English word “belief” actually comes from the old Anglo-Saxon word “be” which means “by,” and the word “lief” which means “life.” Perhaps it’s no coincidence our “belief” comes “by” our “life.” What we “live by” is actually our belief, or “by-life.” Our orthodoxy is shaped by our orthopraxy and vice versa.

Perhaps it’s time that we sought the more balanced “ortho-” focus of Jesus in our lives and in our churches today. We need both “right thinking” and “right living.” Perhaps we’ve been neglecting one of these imperatives over the other. A quick internet search of the word “orthodoxy” will give you some 14.9 million results. But a search of the word “orthopraxy” will only give you 353,000 hits. We certainly see how the internet prioritizes the two. A search of Baptist Press articles during the past three decades reveals only 10 articles on orthopraxy but some 306 articles mentioning orthodoxy. Perhaps in our own Baptist life we’ve tended to focus a little too much on our “right thinking” to the neglect of our “right living.”

Perhaps James said it best when he wrote in his epistle:

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds” (James 2:14-16, NIV).

Did you catch what James is really saying here? “Faith by itself (that’s our orthodoxy), if not accompanied by action (that’s our orthopraxy), is dead.” Could the Bible be any clearer about the interrelatedness of “right thinking” and “right living”?

And what about you? What’s the shape of your orthodoxy these days? And what’s the shape of your orthopraxy these days? As you study the Bible you are being challenged to think about and believe the right kind of orthodoxy. And as you study passages in the Bible like this week’s passage from the Sermon on the Plain, you are being challenged to live out the right kind of orthopraxy. Orthodoxy and orthopraxy, Jesus focused on both. What about you?

Jim Lemons is professor of theological studies and leadership at Dallas Baptist University. He is a senior adult Sunday school teacher at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas.  

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Jan. 10 focuses on Luke 3:7-18.

The focus of this week’s lesson is on the ministry of John the Baptist as he prepared the way for the coming of Jesus. Let’s jump forward a few chapters in Luke and take a look at an amazing statement Jesus made about John: “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:28, NIV).

Did you catch that? Jesus declared that no one had been “born of women” who was any greater than John the Baptist. Jesus seemed to be making the case that John the Baptist was the greatest person who had ever been born! If you consider how the world defines “greatness,” John was a most unlikely candidate for such an accolade. So, what did Jesus see in John that caused him to declare that this itinerant preacher and prophet was the greatest?

What made John the greatest?

Maybe it was John’s dynamic disposition. You would think that the greatest person who ever lived would have a vibrant, charismatic personality. He would have “the look” of greatness. What about John? Mark 1:6 states, “John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.” John certainly wasn’t “a man dressed in fine clothes” (Luke 7:25). John certainly didn’t “dress for success,” and his diet certainly wasn’t going to make for a best-selling diet book.

Maybe it was John’s prestigious location. You would think that the greatest person who ever lived would have been stationed in one of the great capital cities of the world and had a most prominent place of service. What about John? Matthew 3:11 tells us, “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea.” John lived way out in the desert wilderness, “out in the boon docks,” on the back side of nowhere. Who would ever notice him way out there? This wasn’t the place of notoriety, not the typical location for greatness.

Maybe it was John’s immense popularity. Now John certainly attracted some big crowds, but the fact is that many, if not most, of the folks who came out to see him were the “curiosity seekers.” John was like a novelty item, the new “circus act” who had come to town.

You would think the greatest person who ever lived would have gathered crowds who praised him and loved what he had to say. He would have certainly been a people-person and a people-pleaser, right? What about John? Well, John’s message was really quite unpopular. He preached about sin and repentance. Nobody wanted to hear about that, right?

On one occasion John was preaching and the Pharisees came to hear him. These were the religious leaders, the important and powerful people of the day. You would think John would be on his best behavior and watch his words carefully. What did John do? He called them a “brood of vipers” (Matthew 3:7).

Another time John was brought before King Herod. Herod had the power to free or kill John. You would think John would have guarded his words closely. But what did John do? He confronted Herod with his sin of having his brother’s wife! (Mark 6:18). That’s not the way to “keep your head on your shoulders,” and for John, it literally wasn’t, as Herod soon had him beheaded.

Maybe it was John’s outstanding performance that made him so great. Maybe John was a great miracle worker who did some amazing things worthy of greatness. What about John? John 10:41 says John “never performed a sign.” No, John never worked wonders or had a great performance, at least not by the world’s standard of greatness.

If it wasn’t his dynamic disposition, his prestigious location, his immense popularity, or his outstanding performance, what was it about John that would prompt Jesus to call him the greatest person ever born of a woman?

Position and purpose

Two traits of greatness jump out at us regarding John the Baptist. First of all, John knew his position in life. John knew who he was and most importantly he knew who Jesus was, and we always see John humbling himself before Jesus. Now there is an attribute of true greatness. In his first recorded words John exclaims, “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. (Mark 1:7, NIV). In John 3:30, he says this about Jesus, “He must become greater; I must become less.” Someone defined humility as knowing who you are and who Jesus is, and then knowing the difference! That certainly describes the greatness of John the Baptist.

And secondly, what made John so great is the fact that he understood his purpose in life. And that purpose was to always point people to Jesus. Again, John 10:41 affirms, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man (Jesus) was true.” John 1:7 states this about the Baptist, “He came as a witness to testify concerning that light (Jesus), so that through him all might believe.” John came to testify about Jesus, to tell people about Jesus, to point people to Jesus.

Understanding your position and your purpose, that’s not a bad formula for anyone who wants to discover true greatness in life. John discovered it. What about you? Jesus said, “the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Luke 7:28, NIV). That means that even you could become greater than the greatest person who ever lived!

Live in humility, know your position, understand your purpose. That’s the key to true greatness today.

Jim Lemons is professor of theological studies and leadership at Dallas Baptist University. He is a senior adult Sunday school teacher at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas. 

• Lesson 6 in the BaptistWay Press Connect 360 unit “The reMARKable Journey Begins” focuses on Mark 2:1-12.

Capernaum, the home of Peter, Andrew, James, and John, was the center of Jesus’ early ministry in Galilee. When Jesus returned to Capernaum after ministering throughout the region, word quickly spread that he had come home. Soon the house where Jesus was staying—possibly Peter’s—was filled with people, and the crowd spread into the street outside. Jesus responded to the growing crowd by preaching the word—the good news that the kingdom of God was near.

As Jesus preached, a group of four men approached the house. The four friends carried a paralyzed man on a mat. They wanted Jesus to heal him, but the crowd was packed so tightly they could not get to Jesus. Instead of trying to push through the door, the men climbed up to the roof of the home. In Jesus’ time, houses often had flat roofs used for things such as storage, drying fruit, or sleeping on warm nights. These roofs were typically made from mud smoothed over a layer of thatch. Since the men could not get to Jesus through the door, they dug a hole in the roof and lowered the paralyzed man down on his mat.

We can only imagine what the people inside were thinking as pieces of dirt and straw began to fall and a hole emerged in the ceiling. Surprise? Bewilderment? Anger? The Bible does not say what the people thought about the men’s audacity. It does say what Jesus thought about it. He recognized it as faith (2:5). The men believed that Jesus could help their friend and acted based on that belief. Actions that demonstrate our trust in God are evidence of faith.

Forgiveness and wholeness

When Jesus saw their faith, he spoke to the paralyzed man: “Son, your sins are forgiven” (2:5). This statement may seem surprising to us. The man was obviously paralyzed. Why wouldn’t Jesus just heal him? Jesus saw the man’s physical need, but Jesus responded first to the greater spiritual need. We should not assume that the man’s paralysis was because of some specific sin.

Nothing in the text suggests that. However, we know that all sin and suffering is ultimately rooted in sin and that none of us are without sin. Jesus knew that true wholeness and healing are more than just physical. True wholeness comes when we are restored to a right relationship with God. The only way we can achieve this restoration is through the forgiveness of our sins. Forgiveness opened the door to the man’s complete healing—spiritually and physically.

We need to remember that forgiveness is key to wholeness. While we know this is true, hurting people do not often identify their need for forgiveness and a restored relationship with God as the root of their need. When our friends tell us they are hurting, we are more likely to hear about a strained marriage, a problem with a child, financial stress, difficult situations at work, or physical ailments. These problems are very real and can be intensely painful but dealing with any one of these problems in isolation cannot make anyone spiritually whole. For true healing and wholeness, we need to bring our friends to Jesus.

Compiled by Stan Granberry, marketing coordinator for BaptistWay Press.

To learn more about BaptistWay Press and the Connect360 Bible study series, or to order materials, click here.    

• Lesson 5 in the BaptistWay Press Connect 360 unit “The reMARKable Journey Begins” focuses on Mark 1:36-45.

The man with leprosy approached Jesus and begged for his help. “If you are willing, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). Both the man’s actions and his words demonstrated his belief that Jesus could heal him. Approaching Jesus broke social taboos, but it also showed his boldness. The man believed Jesus could heal him, and he was willing to humble himself and beg for Jesus’ help.

Mark 1:41 says that Jesus was “indignant.” This might seem strange to us. We know Jesus typically had compassion on people who needed his help. What about this situation might have angered him? It may be that Jesus was angry at the disease and all it symbolized about the effect of sin. Just as sin separates us from God and leads to our spiritual death, the man’s disease had separated him from his community and, unchecked, would lead to his physical death. Jesus had not come simply to preach some nice messages that would make people feel better about themselves. Jesus’ mission would lead him to a direct confrontation with sin, and victory over death would only come through his sacrifice. The man’s condition was a walking reminder of everything Jesus had come to destroy, and it provoked his righteous anger.

Cleansed and made whole

In an act of bold compassion, Jesus reached out and touched the man. “‘I am willing,’ He said. ‘Be clean!’” (Mark 1:41). The people of the time often thought of sin as something that was contagious. The man’s leprosy made him unclean, and his ritual uncleanness was catching. Yet when Jesus touched the man, Jesus did not become unclean. When Jesus touched the man, the man was healed. In Scripture, miracles are often enacted parables—visible demonstrations of truth about the kingdom of God. This miracle illustrates the way Christ cleanses us from our sin. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ, who did not sin, took the burden of our sin upon himself so he might pay the penalty and make us right with God. We do not contaminate Christ with our sin. Rather, by God’s grace, Christ imputes—or credits—his righteousness to us.

The man’s healing was instantaneous. “Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed” (Mark 1:42). In the New Testament, Jesus healed everyone who came to him for help. When we humbly admit our need and come to Jesus, we do not have to fear that he will turn us away. Humility is simply recognizing we need God’s grace and forgiveness. We cannot deal with the problem of our sin any more than the man could heal his own leprosy. We need Christ’s grace, and he gives it freely to all who ask. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

Compiled by Stan Granberry, marketing coordinator for BaptistWay Press.

To learn more about BaptistWay Press and the Connect360 Bible study series, or to order materials, click here.   

• Lesson 4 in the BaptistWay Press Connect 360 unit “The reMARKable Journey Begins” focuses on Mark 1:21-35.

When evening came, crowds showed up. It was the Sabbath day, so the people would have waited until sundown when the Sabbath was over. Verse 28 tells us news about what had happened in the synagogue that morning spread around the community. Word probably had gotten out about Peter’s mother-in-law. Now people in need came to see if Jesus could help them, too.

Mark distinguishes between the sick and those who were demon possessed. The word for sick means, “having something badly.” Perhaps demon possession connoted “something bad having you.” Regardless of the distinction, the people who came to Jesus were in need.

Mark indicated the “whole town gathered at the door.” Thus Jesus’ fame and popularity was spreading rapidly at the beginning of his ministry. The book of Mark is structured to build up his popularity through chapter 9, then his popularity diminishes after chapter 9 leading to the cross.

‘The Messianic Secret’

Jesus healed people who had all sorts of diseases. He also drove out demons. Mark adds something important about the demons. He wrote that Jesus would not let the demons speak because they knew who Jesus was. This begins a phenomenon in Mark called “the Messianic Secret.”

One of the major questions in the book of Mark is, “Who is this man Jesus?” Mark told his readers in the first verse of the gospel that Jesus is the Son of God. Even though his readers know from the beginning, the characters in the book come to the answer gradually. Jesus seemed reluctant to let the secret out until it is the right time.

First the demonic world knows who Jesus is. In Mark 3:10-12, evil spirits bow down before him and proclaim Jesus to be the Son of God, but Jesus told them not to tell who he is. There are several instances in which it seems Jesus was reluctant to let the secret out, particularly if the message would come from the demonic world. Jesus’ actions give hints to the characters in the story, but they do not understand.

In chapter 8, Peter finally declared Jesus as the Christ. In chapter 9, Jesus revealed himself more fully at the Transfiguration, but only to a few disciples. Jesus finally revealed himself to the Jewish court in chapter 14, and when he was hanging on the cross the Roman Centurion discerned Jesus’ true nature when he declared Jesus the Son of God as Jesus died. By slowly revealing the true identity of Jesus to the characters in the story, Mark makes the case that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.

Thus ends this busy day in the life of Jesus. He has gone from one thing to another, always aware of the needs of people around him. He was busy at church, busy at home, and busy in the community. Jesus was God, but he was also human. His humanity must have been exhausted after a day like that.

Compiled by Stan Granberry, marketing coordinator for BaptistWay Press.

To learn more about BaptistWay Press and the Connect360 Bible study series, or to order materials, click here.  

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Jan. 3 focuses on Luke 2:41-52.

In this week’s lesson, we see the now 12-year-old Jesus in the temple courts listening to the religious teachers and even asking them questions. I love the response Jesus received. Luke 2:47 says, “Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.” I highlight that word “amazed.”

In his very first public appearance and with his very first public utterances, people responded to Jesus with amazement. And what an appropriate response that is. Consider this list of words Webster defines as synonyms for, or words associated with, that word amazed: astonished, astounded, awed, awestruck, dumbfounded, flabbergasted, marveled, wondered, startled, surprised, bemused, bewildered, overwhelmed, staggered, stunned, shocked and stupefied.

It really shouldn’t amaze” us that the first words of Jesus were met with a word of response like any of these “amazingly” descriptive words. Amazement actually characterized the response of people throughout the earthly ministry of Jesus.

It’s amazing

Consider this list of the “amazed” reactions people had to the things Jesus said and did:

• When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching (Matthew 7:28).
• The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:27).
• And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel” (Matthew 9:33).
• Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed (Matthew 13:54).
• The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing (Matthew 15:31).
• When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked (Matthew 21:20).
• When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. (Matthew 22:22).
• The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law (Mark 1:22).
• The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority!” (Mark 1:27).
• He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2:12).
• So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed (Mark 5:20).
• When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing?” (Mark 6:2).
• Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed (Mark 6:51).
• The disciples were amazed at his words (Mark 10:24).
• The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” (Mark 10:26).
• The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching (Mark 11:18).
• Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him (Mark 12:17).
• But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed (Mark 15:5).
• Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers (Luke 2:47).
• All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips (Luke 4:22).

Do you see the “amazingly” profound message in these verses? That’s 20 times in the Gospels that Jesus elicited a sense of amazement from the people he encountered!

And this leads me to ask you this question today. Are you still amazed at the words and works of Jesus in your life? As we launch a new year and a new year of Bible study together, perhaps this is a much-needed word of exhortation for all of us. Maybe we’ve all lost just a little of that sense of amazement that we once had when it comes to the reading and studying of God’s word. Maybe this is a good time to recapture and rededicate to our first-love sense of wonder and awe regarding the word of God and the words of Christ.

The religious leaders were amazed at a little 12-year old’s words. And this was just the beginning of the story. For the rest of his earthly life people were constantly being amazed. What about you? Are you still being amazed at the teachings of Jesus today?

Maybe this a good song for all of us to sing as we begin this new year together:

“I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene,
and wonder how he could love me, a sinner, condemned unclean.
How marvelous! How wonderful! and my song shall ever be;
How marvelous! How wonderful! is my Savior’s love to me!”

Jim Lemons is professor of theological studies and leadership at Dallas Baptist University. He is a senior adult Sunday school teacher at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas. 

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Dec. 27 focuses on Luke 2:25-38.

A focal point of our study this week is on the “righteous and devout” prophet Simeon who dedicates the 1-month old baby Jesus in the temple courts in fulfillment of the Old Testament Law. And the focal point of this poignant story is the prominent role of the Holy Spirit.

We read in this passage that the Holy Spirit whom Simeon met that day was “upon him.” Things had been revealed to him “by the Holy Spirit.” He was “moved by the Spirit” to go into the temple courts.

In the doctrine and theology courses I teach at Dallas Baptist University, one of doctrines my students struggle with the most is the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, particularly the idea that the Holy Spirit is a “person.” They struggle (as many Christians do) with comprehending how spirit can be person. We talk about the Holy Spirit being the third “person” of the Triune Godhead. How can a spirit being be a person?

Not just a ‘Force’

A common misunderstanding is that the Holy Spirit is simply a force or power or energy. Certainly, the Holy Spirit comes to us forcibly, powerfully and energetically. But it’s interesting to note that when Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit to his disciples in John 14, 15 and 16, the translated pronoun used for the Holy Spirit is always a “he.” Jesus makes it clear that the Holy Spirit is a “he,” a person, not an “it. “He” is not just a force, power or energy.

A big part of the misunderstanding of the “person” of the Holy Spirit is our misunderstanding of what is meant by “personhood.” We tend to think of persons being physical, material, flesh-and-bones beings like we are. But theologically speaking, “personhood” simply means the possession of a mind, will and emotions. We are persons, and we certainly possess minds, wills and emotions. In the same manner, God the Father possesses a mind, will and emotions. God the Son possesses a mind, will and emotions. And likewise, God the Holy Spirit possesses a mind, will and emotions.

What are the Holy Spirit’s characteristics?

Consider the following “personal” characteristics of the Holy Spirit as seen in the New Testament:

• The Spirit teaches and reminds. (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:13)
• The Spirit speaks. (Acts 8:29; Acts 13:2)
• The Spirit makes decisions. (Acts 15:28)
• The Spirit can be grieved. (Ephesians 4:30)
• The Spirit can be outraged. (Hebrews 10:29)
• The Spirit can be lied to. (Acts 5:3, 4)
• The Spirit can forbid or prevent human speech and plans. (Acts 16:6-7)
• The Spirit searches everything and comprehends God’s thoughts. (1 Corinthians 2:10-11)
• The Spirit apportions spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:11)
• The Spirit helps us, intercedes for us, and has a mind. (Romans 8:26-27)
• The Spirit bears witness to believers about their adoption. (Romans 8:16)
• The Spirit bears witness to Christ. (John 15:26)
• The Spirit glorifies Christ, takes what is Christ, and declares it to believers. John 16:14

In light of all those action verbs that are used to describe the Holy Spirit’s workings, it ought to be obvious that all of them point to a most “personal” being. The Holy Spirit does things only a person can do.

Pay attention to the pronoun

So, who was this Holy Spirit who “came upon,” “revealed” and “moved” Simeon there at the dedication of the baby Jesus? The Holy Spirit was just that—a “who,” not an “it.” It was a “he,” a person, whom Simeon met that day.

And here’s a relevant application of this week’s lesson for us this day. In those Holy Spirit passages of John 14, 15 and 16, Jesus uses the Greek word parakletos to describe the Holy Spirit. That word literally means “to come alongside of.” It can be translated as Comforter, Counselor, Advocate or Helper. As we prepare to enter a new year, still in the midst of a pandemic and all its fears and uncertainties, how reassuring is it to know that we do not enter this new year alone. We have another Person right there alongside of us, with us, for us, and even in us. We have a personal Comforter, Counselor, Advocate and Helper. With him and his help, we can enter this new year with confidence and the expectation of thriving, not just surviving!

Simeon met the person of the Holy Spirit on that special day 2000 years ago. Have you personally met the person of the Holy Spirit in your life? If Simeon had the words to this familiar hymn chorus available to him 2000 years ago, he might have well sung them. Can you, will you, sing them today?

Spirit of the Living God/Fall fresh on me/Spirit of the Living God/Fall fresh on me/Melt me mold me/Fill me use me/Spirit of the Living God/Fall fresh on me.

Jim Lemons is professor of theological studies and leadership at Dallas Baptist University. He is a senior adult Sunday school teacher at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas.