• The Explore the Bible lesson for Jan. 19 focuses on Deuteronomy 5:17; 19:4-13.

In 2017, I registered for the half Ironman race, which consists of a 1.2-mile swim, 56 miles cycling and a 13.1-mile run. My excitement for this race was palpable. I was an average runner and a horrible swimmer. The last time I rode on a bicycle was when I was 15 years old. I didn’t own a bicycle, so I decided to go online and find a decent bike to help me achieve my goal. A few days later, after searching and consulting with a friend of mine, I decided to buy a Fuji Road Bike located in the Dallas area.

I was skeptical about going alone to pick up the bike. So, I phoned my friend Bill and asked him to come with me. When we were close to our destination, Bill asked to stop at a fast-food restaurant to buy coffee, and I consented. We ordered our coffee and sat at a table. Suddenly, we heard people yelling at each other. For a moment, we thought it was just a minor quarrel and would be resolved quickly, but we were wrong. Soon, two women exited the building, ready to fight. The customers at the restaurant gathered around the two contenders with their phones ready to capture the show. All of a sudden, without hesitation, one woman pulled a gun out of her purse and aimed it toward the other woman’s head. Fortunately, a guy from the audience approached the armed woman and asked her to put down the weapon.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there were 406 mass shootings in the United States during 2019, as of Christmas Day. Even as I am writing this study, I learn about another shooting at a church in White Settlement, near Fort Worth. In our time, it seems as if human life no longer is valued. We see it all around us—in the news, in our Facebook feeds and so forth. It seems the sacredness of life is no longer what God intended when he created humans.

Prohibition (Deuteronomy 5:17)

When God gave Moses and the people of Israel the Ten Commandments, he intended for us to have a healthy relationship with God and our neighbor. The first five commandments have to do with our relationship with God; the other five deal with our relationship with our neighbor. The first commandment that deals with the relationship with our neighbor is “you shall not murder.” In Genesis 4:8, when Cain murdered his brother Abel, God cursed him.

We have been created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27), and to murder someone is to diminish the sacredness of life. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reemphasized the significance of preserving life by stating: “Anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell” (Matthew 5:22).

Grace (Deuteronomy 19:4-10)

In this section, God directed Moses to set apart three cities of refuge. The purpose of these cities was to protect a person who killed a neighbor unintentionally, without malice. This was to keep the avenger from shedding innocent blood.

This section shows God’s grace to preserve human life goes beyond these three cities. In these verses, God reminds the people that once he enlarges their territory as promised, they need to set aside three more cities. But before this could happen, they had to obey these two commandments: “Love the Lord and walk always in obedience to him.” How have you experienced God’s grace in your life?

Justice (Deuteronomy 19:11-13)

In this section, God commands Moses that if someone motivated by hate attacks and kills another person, the killer should be brought back from the city and handed over to the avenger of blood to die. This was a rigorous command—so rigorous that even God ordered them to “show no pity.” Throughout the Old Testament, there have been other instances where God commands to show no pity or mercy (Deuteronomy 13:8).

God not only commanded them to show no pity, but also instructed them to purge the guilt caused by shedding innocent blood. By purging, God meant to purify, to remove any contamination. This needed to happen so the people could enjoy the blessing from God. Occasionally, we forget that God is a God of justice who cannot abide sin. One day, all will stand before the throne of God to be judged.

Jaime Cortez is discipleship pastor at First Baptist Church in Athens, Texas. 

• Lesson 7 in the BaptistWay Press Connect360 unit “Miracles: The Transforming Power of Jesus” focuses on Matthew 12:9-13.

God did not rest on the seventh day of Creation because he was tired (Genesis 2:2–3). The purpose of his time out was to reflect on all he had accomplished and enjoy the satisfaction of work that was finished precisely to plan. He created the Sabbath for our benefit so that we could do the same—rest from labor to consider all that God has done and rejoice in his sovereignty, providence, and love. Unfortunately, the Pharisees in Jesus’s day twisted the Sabbath law’s intention. According to their interpretation, the law had become a slave master that held God’s people hostage to its excessive demands.

At the time of assembly, Jesus and his followers entered the synagogue these same Pharisees attended. Christ’s heart was turned to worship, but theirs to entrapment. Knowing that a disabled man would be there, and aware of Jesus’ reputation as a healer, the Pharisees seized the opportunity to provoke Jesus into a public violation of Sabbath regulations. To their way of thinking, Jesus had only two choices: heal the man today and break the law or keep the law and heal him tomorrow.

The Pharisees’ entire position in this argument rested on the question of what constituted work. According to their Sabbath guidelines, for instance, a person could eat food but not kindle a fire or cook. A person could get dressed but not repair torn clothing or sandals. The Pharisees’ concept of Sabbath observance hinged on actions and protocol rather than attitudes of the heart.

For the benefit of people

When Jesus addressed the Pharisees, he used a standard if-then, lesser-to-greater argument form that they would understand. What rational person, Jesus reasoned, would fail to rescue one of his animals from danger, even on a Sabbath. If saving an animal can be allowed, then how much more should aid be rendered to a human being in similar circumstances. If the Sabbath was established to do good for people, then surely doing good on the Sabbath would result in blessing rather than condemnation.

Jesus wanted these men to understand that the Sabbath was made for human benefit, and not to enslave people to works of the law. The whole concept of Sabbath implies mercy, not judgment; rest, not oppression; peace, not contention; gratitude, worship, and praise rather than legalism. Strict obedience to humanmade rules doesn’t impress the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor,” God said through the prophet Isaiah, “those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word” (Isaiah 66:2).

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. 12 focuses on Numbers 32:20-32.

One day, my 4-year-old daughter came home from the daycare she attends and told me, “You are my best friend, Daddy.”

After I responded, “Yes, I am,” she asked me, “Are you going to be my best friend forever?”

“Yes,” I replied.

She looked me in the eyes and extended her little hand towards me and said, “Let’s make a pinky promise.”

Her comment caught me off guard. I wasn’t expecting that.

As a little kid growing up in Mexico, hearing the term pinky promise was new to me. The way we made promises was to make the sign of the cross with our thumb and index finger, we then proceeded to recite our promise and kiss the cross (our fingers). We didn’t do pinky promises or crossing our hearts.

This story is about keeping our promises. God expects us to keep our word. We don’t have to make a pinky promise, cross our heart, kiss our fingers, or swear an oath. All we need to say is simply “yes” or “no” (Matthew 5:33-37).

Warning Issued (Numbers 32:20-24)

When the people of Reuben and the people of Gad saw that the land Jazer and the land of Gilead were suitable for their livestock, they made a request to Moses in the presence of the priest and to the chiefs of the congregation. The only problem was that this suitable place was located outside of the Promised Land.

Moses was shocked by this request. (Note his reaction in Numbers 32: 6-15.) He argued that it wasn’t fair for them to settle while their brothers went to war. He reminded them, also, about the time he sent the spies to look over the land and how they discouraged the Israelites when they came back. This discouragement was punished by God by not letting anyone of that generation get into the Promised Land except Caleb and Joshua.

So, when Reuben and Gad approached Moses with this request, he warned them about this petition: If you turn away from following God, he will turn away from his people, and you will be the cause of their destruction (v.15). This was a serious warning. Imagine the other tribes looking at each other thinking about their parents’ journey in the wilderness. Imagine experiencing the same journey, this time, because your brothers decided to disobeyed God.

In this passage, Moses reaffirmed the people by commanding them to do everything they have said. He invites them to trust in God for the victory. But, Moses said, if you fail to do all this, your sin will find you out. In other words, you will suffer for your sin. Reuben and Gad knew the repercussion of disobeying God.

Agreement Given (Numbers 32:25-27)

In this section, Reuben, Gad and Moses agreed to the request. They were aware of the seriousness of breaking an oath. Children, wives, flocks and herd will remain in Gilead, while every man who is armed for battle will cross over to fight before the Lord. This section demonstrates that obeying and being faithful to God comes with great risk. Everything was at stake—families, possessions, time invested, etc. The Israelites knew God was a loving God but also a God faithful to his judgment.

In ancient times, people were cautious about sacred oaths and vows. In Numbers 30:1-2, God instructed Moses about this particular issue. Reuben and Gad understood the magnitude of this oath.

Accountability Established (Numbers 32:28-32)

The expectations were set before the people. Moses gathered the Reubenites and Gadites before the community leaders and informed them about their commitment.

This section deals with accountability. Moses wanted the community leaders to hold the two tribes accountable for their vows. As mentioned before, it was a severe vow. The Promised Land was at risk.

From this section, we can learn important lessons:

1. We need to be careful about making commitments. Although we live in the 21st century, making a commitment continues to be a serious issue. It becomes a matter of trust. Keeping a commitment raises the level of trust, but failing to do so generates distrust.
2. In order to increase the chances of keeping a promise or commitment, we need to hold ourselves accountable. This is why accountability groups have become so popular. Just look around, and you will see it for yourself. Holding your brothers and sisters in Christ accountable should be highly practiced in churches. Who are you holding accountable in your church? Who is holding you accountable?

God expects us to keep our promise. God expects us to help and hold each other accountable. God kept his promises about the Messiah, and he will remain faithful to the end.

Jaime Cortez is discipleship pastor at First Baptist Church in Athens, Texas.   

• Lesson 6 in the BaptistWay Press Connect360 unit “Miracles: The Transforming Power of Jesus” focuses on Matthew 9:20-22.

The woman with a chronic condition set out to find the man of God called Jesus. Many who sought healing approached Jesus directly, speaking up to ask help for themselves (Matt. 9:27) or interceding for someone else (Matt. 15:22, 17:15). Within the woman’s cultural context, however, she might not have thought it necessary to talk with Jesus personally. If Jesus’s power indeed were supernatural, it would be enough for her to touch something that belonged to him. No one need ever know that she had passed her uncleanness to him through physical contact.

Many ancient peoples believed that objects or articles of clothing could be endowed with miraculous properties. That is why, for example, ill persons lined Peter’s path so his shadow might fall on them (Acts 5:15), and many others touched him with “handkerchiefs and aprons” to lay on the sick and demon-possessed for healing (Acts 19:11–12). This understanding drove the woman’s determination to lay hold of the fringe of Jesus’s robe secretly.

It is likely that Jesus, along with other Jewish men, wore tassels on the edges of his robe in conformity to God’s instructions in the law. One of these tassels would have made a logical target for the woman’s resolve. It would be easy to furtively finger a tassel without being observed as Jesus moved along. When she touched his garment, Mark tells us that she was healed instantly and that Jesus had felt the power leave him (Mark 5:27-30). He wanted to speak to the person who had such bold faith.

‘Take heart’

The woman in this story needed much more than physical healing. Years of being shunned by society had worn down her sense of identity and worth. Jesus not only restored her body to health, but also infused her life with purpose and value by showing her that she was loved by God individually. Jesus said to her “Take heart daughter, your faith has healed you” (Matt. 9:22)

Many people in today’s world have trouble believing they have any personal worth. Whether abused by parents, betrayed by friends, discarded by spouses, or simply failing to measure up to society’s impossible standards of beauty, intellect or material prosperity, people of all ages and rank see themselves as invisible. Their lives seem to hold no purpose or value. Jesus’ message for them is as personal and life-giving as it was for the sick woman in Matthew 9. Jesus came “to seek and to save the lost.” He can still meet the deepest needs of the most broken hearts.

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 Connect360 unit “Miracles: The Transforming Power of Jesus” focuses on Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26.

Jairus’ belief that God could raise the dead to life was rooted in biblical precedent. God had empowered two of Israel’s great prophets, Elijah and Elisha, to restore dead boys to their families (1 Kings 17:21–22; 2 Kings 4:33–35). If then, why not now? Though centuries stood between the days of prophetic miracles and Jairus’ time, the same God governed all. The Almighty said through the prophet Malachi, “I the Lord do not change” (Malachi 3:6). Clinging to hope rooted in faith, the grieving father fell at Jesus’s feet.

Upon entering Jairus’s house, the first thing Jesus did was take hold of the dead girl’s hand. Touching the untouchable was a hallmark of Jesus’ ministry. From lepers (Matt. 8:3, Mark 1:41, Luke 5:13) to Gentiles (ref. John 18:28), Jesus did not shrink from contact with those who occupied the margins of society, those considered unclean by the self-proclaimed righteous of his day. In every case, Christ’s touch was a living example of his words in Mark “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them . . . For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come. All these evils come from inside and defile a person” (Mark 7:14–15, 20–23). Jesus wanted to show his disciples and everyone else that ritual uncleanness of the body cannot separate a person from God. Instead, the pollution of an evil heart makes a person genuinely unclean before God.

Compelled by love

When Jesus took the girl’s hand, death fled and impurity was cleansed. The immediate result was a family’s restoration and the permanent affirmation of Jairus’ faith. As believers today, we can recognize that moment as a picture of the rebirth that takes place within hearts as they receive Christ’s gift of cleansing and forgiveness. Both figuratively and literally, Christ makes everything new.

True love is never irritated by interruptions but views them as opportunities for blessing. If we trust God and submit ourselves to the Spirit’s leading, we will be ready to embrace every person and circumstance we encounter without balking or feeling that anything is imposing upon our time. As Peter said, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). This edict not only means being confident in what to say but also in God’s timing for our response. Like the Savior whose image we bear, we should be compelled by love to serve others and meet their needs, regardless of who they are.

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. 6 focuses on Numbers 27:12-23.

Have you ever attended a funeral service that made you think about your life, family and future? Did you change due to the experience? Did you become a better spouse, son, daughter, etc.? How long did that change last? I have attended many funerals and—in every single one—I have left with the urgency to do something or change something in my life. And to be honest with you, that change doesn’t last long.

When Moses was confronted with the reality about his death, he decided to do something remarkable about it. Moses could have relaxed, or he might have asked God for a personal request. Instead, he decided to set aside his personal agenda for the benefit of the people.

Facing Death (Numbers 27:12-14)

The author of the book of Hebrews reminds us all people are destined to die once (Hebrews 9:27). It doesn’t matter who you are, one day you will perish. This passage tells us that it was Moses’ turn to face his fate, as his brother Aaron did (20:22).

When Aaron died, God called him and his son Eleazar alongside with Moses, to go up into a mountain. This same pattern is repeated in this episode, but this time, with a different character. God instructed Moses to go up a mountain in the Abarim range so Moses could see the Promised Land. I can’t imagine being at the top of this mountain, seeing the land that God promised Abraham years ago and not being able to enter it. After all Moses went through with the people in the wilderness, God remained faithful to the judgment he pronounced earlier. Moses saw the land before he was “gathered to his people”—a phrase that indicates someone being reunited with the people that have died before them. Its common use can be seen in passages such as Genesis 15:15; 35:29 and 49:29.

Moses’ death was the fulfillment of God’s judgement declared in Numbers 20:12. Moses and Aaron did not trust God enough to honor him as holy before the Israelites. And now, Moses faced the consequences of his actions.

Looking to the Future (Numbers 27:15-17)

This passage highlights one important point—the heart of a true leader. Moses had one final request, not seeking his own benefit but the benefit of the people. He asked the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, to appoint someone over the community. This is what servanthood is all about. This act of “caring for others” demonstrates the true quality of a leader is to prepare the next generation of leaders. For a Christian, it means investing in others for the sake of the church and the gospel. How are you or your church preparing the next generation of leaders?

Moses was preoccupied about Israel’s future. He wanted to make sure the people had a leader—someone who could represent them before the Lord and lead them into the Promised Land, a leader who could protect them like a shepherd. Shepherds and sheep were used as a metaphor elsewhere in the Bible. The decisive metaphor of a shepherd was used by Jesus when he told his followers: I am the good shepherd (John 10:14). Moses finished his life caring for the people. Are you and your church living with a future in mind?

God Provides (Numbers 27:18-23)

In the previous section, we experienced Moses’ character and attitude towards the future. He died knowing God had a plan for the people. In this last section, God gave Moses his final instructions.

Moses took Joshua, son of Nun, and laid hands on him. The NIV translation adds a particular epithet about Joshua, spirit of leadership, to emphasize that Moses’ successor was a person well qualified for the job. Joshua stood before the priest and the entire community, just as Aaron stood before Moses and Eleazar and later Moses stood before God.

The next episode is an echo of what happened to Aaron before he died. When Moses, Aaron and Eleazer went up to Mount Hor, Moses removed Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar (20:26). This event accentuated the passing on of the baton of leadership and responsibility before the Lord. When Joshua stood before the assembly and the Lord, God told Moses: “give him some of your authority…”. Try to picture this scene in your mind. Moses is pouring, providing, investing (ESV translation) some of his power on Joshua. Sometimes I wonder why God allowed Moses to give him only “some” of his power, particularly taking into consideration that the task ahead was not a walk in the park.

God did not abandon his people. He commissioned a clever leader to take his people into the Promised Land. Who are you investing in? Who is the next Joshua who will lead when you’re gone?

Jaime Cortez is discipleship pastor at First Baptist Church in Athens, Texas.     

• Lesson 4 in the BaptistWay Press Connect360 unit “Miracles: The Transforming Power of Jesus” focuses on Matthew 8:23-27

On most any airplane trip, it’s easy to tell the seasoned travelers from the rookies. Those who fly often appear relaxed and unconcerned, settling into their seats with earbuds, books or electronic devices. Some sleep through much of the flight, not bothering to rouse themselves even if the plane hits heavy turbulence. Inexperienced fliers, on the other hand, often seem nervous. They gasp, grip their armrests, and glance around uneasily at every bump or unfamiliar sound. The difference between the two groups is a sense of perceived danger. Experience has taught frequent travelers to trust the aircraft and its crew. Those without such background tend to focus on potential hazards instead of present comfort.

For Jesus and his disciples, boats offered an accessible alternative to walking between cities. It seems to have been a restful mode of transportation for Jesus, away from the pressing crowds, for the Bible tells us that Jesus slept in the boat (Matthew 8:24, Mark 4:38). In much the same way that today’s airline passengers relax during their flights, Jesus laid down to rest with no thoughts of a potential threat from the waters.

When a squall hit, the disciples panicked. The experienced fishermen among them knew what could happen if a boat capsized far from land. They had no recourse but to turn to Jesus for help.

Faith … but only a little

There is a clear divide in the disciples’ faith at this point. They had seen Jesus override natural law by healing incurable diseases. Though still infants in their spiritual understanding, they accepted his claim to divine connection. For that reason, his followers turned to Jesus for salvation at the point of peril.

At the same time, the disciples were uncertain how far they could trust Christ’s power. Had their faith been strong, the disciples would have stopped with “Save us!” Instead, they demonstrated their uncertainty by adding a conviction of imminent death. They had some faith, but only a little. Their belief in Jesus’s ability to act was tempered by what they perceived as the reality of their situation—they were all about to die.

Although the circumstances have changed, people today still struggle with storms in their lives. Sometimes our storms can be literal hurricanes or tornadoes. But more often, contemporary believers deal with problems and tragedies that challenge their faith and beliefs. The nature of crises may change, but Christ’s ability to bring comfort and hope is the same in every situation. Although we cannot physically see him, Jesus is just as present in life struggles now as he was to the disciples on that boat in the Sea of Galilee. He stands ready to heal, sustain, encourage and infuse our hearts with hope. His presence still brings peace to the most violent storms of life if we turn to him.

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 Dec. 29 focuses on Numbers 22:22-35.

While preparing to write this week’s lesson, I asked my children and their friend: “Do you think animals can talk?”

Perplexed, they replied, “No, animals can’t talk.”

“What about a donkey?” I asked again.

“No,” they answered.

“What about a snake?”

Then my 4-year-old daughter replied: “Snakes don’t talk. They go ‘ssss sssss,’ silly dad!”

So, I read to them the story of Balaam, eager to ignite a crucial conversation with them. As I read the story, I intentionally accentuated the conversation between Balaam and his donkey, but my kids were not interested in talking donkeys. I felt disappointed.

The story of Balaam is eccentric. People have been debating whether Balaam was a prophet from God or a foreteller, because when the Moabites came to Balaam, he asked them to stay the night and then he would report whatever the Lord answered.

When the first group came to summon Balaam, he sent them back, arguing that the Lord refused to let him go with them. Then king Balak sent other officials, more distinguished than the previous ones. This time, God ordered Balaam to go with them. “But only do what I tell you,” God said. Balaam got up the next morning, saddled his donkey and went with the officials. Everything was going smoothly until the writer introduces God into the story again. The author tells us God was furious when Balaam went with them.

Why was God angry at Balaam? Didn’t God tell him the night before that it was OK for him to go? Why did God change his mind overnight? There are a few points worth our time. First, when the second group of officials came, they offered the prophet a bigger reward. Second, Balaam followed his previous protocol and consulted God before deciding. Last, when God agreed that he could go, the author described a minor detail; he saddled his donkey. The saddling of a donkey was used for several purposes in ancient times, but the most prominent were transportation and carrying supplies. Perhaps, by saddling his donkey, Balaam intentions were to bring as many goodies as possible back with him, and this change of attitude made God angry.

Three Strikes (Numbers 22:22-27)

On his way to meet Balak, Balaam encountered the unexpected. An angel of the Lord appeared to Balaam’s donkey three times. The first time, the donkey went off the road into a field, and the prophet hit the donkey. The second time, the angel stood in a narrow pathway with walls on both sides crushing Balaam’s foot against it. Balaam hit the donkey a second time. The last time, the angel stood in in a narrower place with no room to turn around. So, the donkey laid down under Balaam, and Balaam beat it a third time.

In baseball, three strikes mean you are out. In this situation, we can see the three strikes as three opportunities God gave Balaam to see his error. His heart was blind to spiritual things. It’s interesting to note that a prophet, a foreteller, a messenger from God, could not receive this message.

Two Questions (Numbers 22:28-30)

When I read the story to my children and their friend. I felt disappointed because my expectation from them was a loud: “Wow! A talking donkey!” However, they did not react this way. This passage undoubtedly is bizarre to explain. After the third hit, God enabled the donkey to question his owner. The donkey asked him two questions. 1) What have I done to you to make you beat me three times?  2) Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?

Note Balaam’s inability to see beyond the obvious. Despite being considered a prophet, Balaam could not see what was happening. God gave him a message but he could not see it. The donkey, on the other hand, saw the angel and tried to communicate with the prophet by getting off the road, crushing his foot against the wall, and finally, by laying down under him. Realizing the prophet’s incompetence to recognize the signs, God used a different way to communicate with him, using Balaam’s own donkey.

One View (Numbers 22:31-35)

Finally, the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes and five things occurred: (1) he saw the angel; (2) he bowed low; (3) he fell face down; (4) he confessed his sin; and (5) he obeyed. Balaam finally understood that God’s ways were the only true ways.

When God calls us to do something he expects us to follow his plan and purpose. For Balaam, this would have cost him his life had it not been for his donkey. The consequences of not following God’s plan may be different for us, but the point is that he calls us to be truly obedient to his commands.

Jaime Cortez is discipleship pastor at First Baptist Church in Athens, Texas.

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Dec. 22 focuses on Matthew 1:18-25; Numbers 21:6-9

Have you ever made a promise you couldn’t keep? If you ask my son about me, the answer will be “yes.” There have been plenty of promises that I could not keep, at least by his reckoning. The problem relies on my son’s interpretation of my words. Every time he wants to do something, such as going to the park, I have to be precise in the way I communicate with him. If I say “yes,” it means “yes.” If I say “no,” although it means “no,” in my son’s mind it means, “I’ll ask my mom.” If I say “maybe,” that’s an automatic “yes” in his mind. There is no way out when dealing with him.

Before the separation between God and humanity, God had a plan in mind. In Isaiah 7:14, God spoke a prophecy in regards to the salvation of mankind: “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” This prophecy was fulfilled years later when Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem. God kept his promises. God showed his faithfulness by fulfilling the prophecies foretold hundreds of years earlier.

The Savior (Matthew 1:18-23)

In this first section in the Gospel of Matthew, the author stresses that the prophecies dealing with the Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus. In Isaiah 7:14 God spoke to the prophet about the birth of a son. This was a promise about a savior, a redeemer, a prince of peace.

Matthew tells us an angel came to visit Mary and informed her about Jesus’ birth. When Joseph learned Mary was pregnant, he decided to leave her quietly. An angel of the Lord appeared to him accentuating that Mary’s son was part of God’s salvific plan and encouraging Joseph not to be afraid.

During the time of Jesus, to be engaged to someone differed from what we know in modern days. It was a bond between two families; it was a pledge before eyewitnesses. So, Joseph wanted to protect Mary by divorcing her quietly, not knowing that the author behind all these divine events was God himself.

The Arrival (Matthew 1:24-25)

When Joseph woke up, he did everything the angel of the Lord had commanded him. Joseph obeyed the commands the angel gave him and did not consummate the marriage until the baby was born. This demonstrated Joseph’s commitment to the law, his marriage and God’s plan.

One problem of modern society is an unwillingness to wait. We live in an instantaneous world where we can get almost everything at the speed of light. Take a moment to think about all the thoughts that went through Joseph’s mind: What am I going to tell my family? What about my friends? What if they don’t believe me? What if I do something about it? The fact that he remained faithful shows his willingness to surrender to God’s plan and his will.

The Requirement (Numbers 21:6-9)

In this last section, we return to the Israelites who have traveled for days. They grew impatient and spoke against God and Moses. As a result, God sent venomous snakes among them, and many Israelites died. They came to Moses and asked him to pray that the Lord would take the snakes away from them. Moses prayed, and the Lord answered: Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.

This was a unique situation that required unique obedience. The author highlights three things: if anyone is bitten, they need to look up at the pole, and they will live. This was to illustrate that salvation was personal and accessible to anyone.

In John 3:14, there’s an allusion to the bronze serpent as a foreshadowing of Jesus. Jesus and Nicodemus were discussing salvation when Jesus told him just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. The similarities in language (the Son of Man lifted up/make a snake and put it up, everyone who believes/anyone who look at it, may have eternal life/will live) serves as a bridge that links the two passages together.

Salvation comes by looking at Jesus—the one who came and died on the cross for our sins. For the Israelites in the Old Testament, the requirement to live after they were bitten was to look up. For the people in the New Testament, the requirement was to believe in the Son of Man.

Jaime Cortez is discipleship pastor at First Baptist Church in Athens, Texas. 

• Lesson 3 in the BaptistWay Press Connect360 unit “Miracles: The Transforming Power of Jesus” focuses on Matthew 8:14-17.

Matthew’s first-century audience was primarily Jewish, a culture where women were often considered expendable. They weren’t allowed past a certain point on temple grounds, were sometimes treated as commodities, and could be divorced and left destitute with little more than a word. Therefore, readers of that day probably didn’t expect to learn that Jesus—a rabbi and leader of men—cared so personally about an ailing woman.

This pericope  (a single coherent unit of thought in the Scripture text) is one of two miracles (see the other in 8:5–13) introducing Jesus’ ministry in Capernaum, his home base in Galilee. As was customary in the first century, families lived multi-generationally, and Peter married before becoming a Christ-follower (see also 1 Corinthians 9:5). Jesus perhaps even lived with Peter’s family when in Capernaum, since he depended on hospitality for survival (cf. 8:20), so he may have regarded Peter’s mother-in-law as a close friend or adopted aunt or mother. We know nothing else about her, from Scripture or ancient texts, but the fever may indicate she had malaria, or perhaps flu, pneumonia or intestinal disease. Regardless, it was severe. Bedridden by her sickness (8:14) and without effective treatment, death was a presumed outcome.

Jesus touched her

Jesus saw her lying there and responded in a way counter-cultural to Levitical law, just as he’d done with the leprous man in 8:1–4 as he grasped her hand, and the “the fever left her” (8:15). In a culture ignorant of germs, bacteria and microorganisms, fevers were mysterious and considered a disease in and of themselves. Therefore, for a touch to bring instant healing was astonishing and evidence of God at work. However, that wasn’t all; she “got up and waited on him.” Jesus’ healing was instant and thorough. Her response to get up and serve not only proved complete healing but was likely an expression of gratitude.

Jesus has authority and power over illness, demonic influence and nature. The heart of the gospel is this: sin maimed the perfect world God created, and Jesus is the only way it can find redemption. The work of the cross is far greater than healing from sickness. Though Isaiah’s prophecy promised the Messiah would heal physical ailments, it did not guarantee cures for everyone in this lifetime, but the new covenant assures us all we will find healing in the age to come.

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 Dec. 15 focuses on Numbers 20:1-13.

In March, my son asked me for a wristwatch. He was in third grade, studying the concept of time. So, I figured it would be appropriate to buy him one. But before heading to the store, I told him we should search for one of my unused watches in the house, and he agreed. We didn’t have to look too long before we found one. To my surprise, he liked it. It filled my child with excitement. Every day, when he returned from school, he said, “Papa, guess what time it is.” And I had to pretend I was clueless about the time so he could tell me.

Four months later, our family joined a mission trip to South Dakota. We left a few days early to take a mini-vacation in Colorado. I set up my GPS on my phone and headed to our new adventure. My son was sitting right behind me and could see the dashboard and the phone giving me directions. Shortly, my son realized that the GPS on the phone, besides giving me the coordination to my destination, it also gave me an estimated time of arrival.

This is where our nightmare began. He noticed how long it would take to get to my friend’s house in Lubbock, where we were spending the night. He looked at his watch and did the math.

Have you seen the movie, Are We There Yet? That was my life for the next eight hours. At first, I thought it was funny. My son would say, “Papa, we only have 7 hours and 30 minutes left.” Five minutes later, he announced, “Papa, we have 7 hours and 25 minutes left.” He recited the same formula for hours until I grew tired. I tried to use blandishments to convince him to stop looking at his watch, but it didn’t work. I tried to ignore him, but I failed. Finally, exasperated and furious, I said to my son, “If you look at your watch again and remind me how much time we have left until we arrive, I will take your watch off your wrist and I will throw it out the window.” There was absolute silence for the next three and a half hours.

The Timing (Numbers 20:1-5)

Miriam, Moses’ and Aaron’s sister had died. According Numbers 17:11, 14 and 16, “If you touch a dead body, you will be unclean for seven days… If someone dies in a tent while you are there, you will be unclean for seven days… If you touch the body of someone who was killed or who died of old age, or if you touch a human bone or a grave, you will be unclean for seven days.”

We are uncertain how long the people waited after Miriam’s death before gathering in opposition to Moses and Aaron. We don’t know if the people congregated as a family for a period of mourning, but what we do know is of their unhappiness with their leaders. Imagine the Israelites asking Moses and Aaron: “Have you finished mourning yet? Because we are thirsty, and there’s no water here.”

The Direction (Numbers 20:6-8)

Moses and Aaron went to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell face down, seeking God’s direction. The Lord’s presence appeared and gave Moses specific instructions. These great leaders faced unceasing opposition from the people. Since the day they left Egypt, the people had done nothing but complain and grumble against their leadership skills. We know “the people disobeyed and tested God ten times” (Numbers 14:20-23). Whether that’s a literal amount or figurative, the people never ceased to test the Lord.

The Frustration (Numbers 9-11)

The instructions God gave Moses and Aaron were clear, “Speak to the rock.” But out of exasperation and anger, Moses hit the rock twice. Life can be complicated. Have you ever been in a similar situation where you have dishonored God with your disobedience? How did you feel?

God expects us to honor him in all aspects of our lives. When Moses and Aaron sought God’s guidance, he gave them crystal clear instructions which they did not execute.

The Fallout (Numbers 20:12-13)

In previous chapters we have read of people being punished for their actions. In Numbers 16:31, “the ground split apart and swallowed the household, and all associated with Korah.” When “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite,” Miriam became as white as snow with leprosy (Numbers 12).

Now, the consequences were upon the two leaders, Moses and Aaron. This act of disloyalty caused them and the people their ticket into the promised land. God holds his people accountable. Many might think God was being strict with Moses when he told him, “You will not bring this community into the land I give them.” However, this was to show them the cost of disobedience and distrust. Moses and Aaron, despite being great leaders, died before entering the promised land. God will hold us accountable for our actions.

Jaime Cortez is discipleship pastor at First Baptist Church in Athens. 

• Lesson 2 in the BaptistWay Press Connect360 unit “Miracles: The Transforming Power of Jesus” focuses on Matthew 8:1-4.

What made this leper willing to approach Jesus? He was confident Jesus could heal him; the question remained if Jesus would. Jesus’ authority over disease was undeniable in this man’s mind, but like many of us, he wondered if Jesus would demonstrate mercy to exercise that power on his behalf. What seed of faith was planted which took root and bore fruit in his life? Standing far off in the distance, had he heard Jesus teach: “Ask, and it will be given to you … For everyone who asks receives.” (7:7–8)? Was that the catalyst for the hopeful faith he exhibited?

This man had faith and courage. Terrified shrieks likely echoed in his ears as he reached the crowd, making his way toward Christ while people shrank away from him. Many probably ran away in fear. Did his eyes strain only ahead, so he wouldn’t behold the horrified looks or risk making eye contact with those desperately trying to avoid him? According to Levitical law, he should have had torn clothes, an uncovered head, and held his hand over his lips, crying out, “Unclean! Unclean!” as he trudged toward Jesus (Leviticus 13:45). Were there jeers and catcalls reminding him he was not supposed to be among wholesome people? In that moment of panic, did anyone in the crowd remember Jesus had recently said: “Treat people the same way you want them to treat you” (Matt. 7:12)?

Doing the impossible

However, what seemed impossible—being cleansed and reinstated to society—was not an impossibility with Jesus (Matt. 19:26). The man was so convinced of this truth he risked everything to come before the Rabbi, even calling him “Lord,” a term which didn’t necessarily affirm Jesus’ divinity but certainly acknowledged him as God’s messenger. However, it’s doubtful he got close enough to touch Jesus, so he wouldn’t risk making the popular teacher unclean.

Uncleanness didn’t faze Jesus. While others backed away, he reached forward, answering the man’s question verbally and physically. Extending his hand and touching him, Jesus said, “I am willing; be cleansed” (8:3). His action likely sent shockwaves through an onlooking crowd. Ceremonially clean people did not reach out to touch those who were unclean; to do so meant defilement, invited ostracism and probably questions about one’s sanity.

While Jesus could have simply spoken healing over the man, he chose to touch someone who had likely not experienced the pleasure of loving human contact in a long time. What a blessing! Jesus’ words, “I am willing,” expressed his desire to heal and his willingness to touch the man. Miraculously, the leprosy was immediately cleansed, proving Christ’s power over sickness and that the man’s faith was well-placed.

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.