Did Jesus come to do away with Old Testament laws? The religious leaders of his day were convinced Jesus was breaking the law God had given them through Moses, but Jesus’ teaching points us to the truth: the Gospel of Jesus Christ is actually the perfect fulfillment of God’s law.
Jesus defied expectations at every turn. As he forgave the sins of a man who was paralyzed and sat to eat with sinners, Jesus revealed his purpose: to seek and save the lost. Every step of the way, religious leaders of the day missed the point as they held tight to their self-righteous pride.
Jesus calls his first disciples out of their comfort zone and into a life of purpose with an object lesson on trust. It’s the same call given to all Christians to go and make disciples of Jesus Christ - to follow Him in faith even when the circumstances look hopeless.
Jesus begins his ministry displaying his power to heal as well as his authority over the forces of darkness. As he encounters a lost world, Jesus gives us a model of compassion for people in need, while also prioritizing time alone to remain deeply connected to God the Father.
Since the beginning of his ministry, Jesus was often rejected by religious leaders who saw him as a threat to their power and control. Today it’s common to hear people reject Jesus because of the challenge he brings to their worldview, autonomy or feeling of control. But the beauty of the gospel is that through surrendering our lives to Jesus, we find the only true and lasting freedom. We’re set free from the burden of sin by the Savior to live a life of purpose.
The interaction between Jesus and the Devil in the wilderness is a powerful example of the importance of knowing and obeying God’s Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. When we’re presented with enticing temptations, the anchor of God’s Word will help us to turn away from darkness and walk in the light of life.
John the Baptist had many followers and great influence during his day, yet he was clear that his ministry wasn’t about himself at all. He used every opportunity in humility to point people clearly to the Savior who was coming after him. 2,000 years later our goal should be the same - to use the positions of influence God has given us to point others away from ourselves and toward the true King of Kings.
John the Baptist challenged a culture that was clinging to religion by pointing out their need for a Savior. His message of repentance - turning away from the things God calls sin - was preparing the way for Jesus and his ministry to come. His message is just as important for us today as it was for his audience 2,000 years ago.
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Dear Church: A Study in 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to a church in the country of Greece called Corinth. It's full of both encouragement and loving correction as Paul reminds the church of who they are in Christ, the importance of love and unity, and a warning not to stray into the immoral practices of the culture around them. His encouragement and direction proves completely true and relevant to the American church in 2025 as we also strive to follow Jesus well in the midst of a culture that's drifting further from God's truth.