How Jesus Interpreted the Old Testament

In the temptation of Jesus we receive some insight into how Jesus interpeted the Old Testament Scriptures.

Example. For the first temptation Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3. From the example of the Israelites in the wilderness, He learned that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

Inference. For the second temptation Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:16. Though no direct statement was to be found in Deuteronomy 6:16 regarding jumping from the pinnacle of the Temple, Jesus correctly inferred from what was said that He should not “tempt the LORD” by testing His promise to protect Him (Matthew 4:7).

Command. For the third temptation Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:13. By direct statement, He identified the evil in bowing down and worshipping Satan (Matthew 4:10).

To be this Man's disciple is to interpret God's Word as He did. To follow God approved examples, to draw necessary conclusions based on what God has spoken, to obey God's commands. Read God's Word and interpret it as the Master did.

Jason Cicero

The Godhead

The baptism of Jesus serves to illustrate the truth of the Godhead.

The Son. In Matthew 3:13-17, Jesus, the Son of God, was in the Jordan River. John baptized the Son of God in the Jordan River. He immersed the Son of God in the Jordan River.

The Holy Spirit. In Matthew 3:13-17, when Jesus, the Son of God, was in the Jordan River being baptized by John, the Holy Spirit was seen "descending like a dove and alighting upon" Jesus (3:16; NKJV). The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus while He was in the Jordan River.

The Father. In Matthew 3:13-17, after Jesus was baptized by John and after the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, the Father spoke from Heaven: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (3:17; NKJV). The Father spoke from Heaven while Jesus stood in the Jordan River after the Holy Spirit had descended upon Him.

Praise the Godhead for coming in the person of Jesus so that we might understand the nature, character, and will of the Father, Son, and Spirit more fully!

"For in Him (Christ - JHC) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." (Colossians 2:9-10; NKJV)

Jason Cicero

You Shall Call His Name

Jesus. Iesous is a transliteration of the Hebrew "Joshua," meaning "Jehovah is salvation," i. e., "is the Savior" (Vine's). The Son of God would be called "Savior" because He would "save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21; NKJV).

Mary would bring forth "Jesus" because God desires to save His people!

Immanuel. Emmanouel is also of Hebrew origin and means "God with us" (Strong's). The Son of Mary would be called "God with us" because He would in fact be the Son of God.

Mary would bring forth "Immanuel" because God longs to be with His people!

Is Jesus your Savior? Is God with you? He longs to be...

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

1. Rejoice always,

2. Pray without ceasing,

3. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NKJV

Glorifying God and Thanksgiving

Perhaps our chief end is to glorify God. King Herod was struck by an angel of God “because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died” (Acts 12:23). To glorify God is to honor Him, to acknowledge His attributes, and to praise Him for His perfections. It is to recognize His glory and extol Him for it. It is God’s will that we glorify Him in all things (1 Peter 4:11).

“For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:15; NKJV). How am I doing? How are we doing as a local church?

Jason Cicero

Christ Gave Thanks

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7; NKJV).

Thanksgiving is the expression of gratitude. Thankful people express gratefulness to GOD, the source of all blessings.Jesus gave thanks.

To GOD the Father for the revelation of His will. “At that time Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes’”(Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21; NKJV). Jesus expressed gratitude for the revelation of GOD’S will.

To GOD the Father for food. “And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks…” (John 6:11). When Jesus fed the 5,000 He gave thanks for the food. He also expressed thanks for the food that fed the 4,000 (Matthew 15:36).

To GOD the Father for hearing His prayer. “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me…’” (John 11:41-42; NKJV). Jesus expressed thanks to the Father for listening to His prayers.

To GOD the Father for the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine. “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, ‘Take eat; this is My body.’ Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they drank from it” (Mark 14:22-23; NKJV). Jesus gave thanks for the emblems that symbolized the sacrifice He was about to make for all mankind.

Jesus came to do GOD’S will (John 8:28-29). It is GOD’S will for His people to give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).To be this man’s disciple one must deny self, take up His cross, and follow Him (Luke 9:23). Follow His lead. Give thanks for the revealed word of God (Ephesians 3:3-5). Give thanks for the food you eat (Romans 14:6). Give thanks for the hearing of prayer (1 John 5:14-15). Give thanks for the body and blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:26). And above all else, give thanks to the Father for “His indescribable gift,” the one who will deliver us: “I thank God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25).

Jason

Thankful in Deed and in Truth

"My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:17; NKJV).

We should be thankful for God's blessings, not only in word but also in deed. Being thankful - truly thankful - is more than a matter of words. It should be apparent by the way we live our lives that we appreciate God's goodness and His grace.

Are we thankful for our families? Let's show it by treating them more lovingly.

Are we thankful for our material possessions? Let's be good stewards of them by using them in the Lord's work.

Are we thankful for our friends? Let's demonstrate it by being a better friend to them.

Are we thankful for the gospel? Let's prove it by sharing it with everybody around us.

Perhaps it is not going too far to say that every sin we commit is a failure of gratitude in some way or another. If we could properly keep in mind the blessings of our Creator and adequately be thankful for them, we would never even think about violating His loving will. Let us be thankful!

Jason Cicero

Thanksgiving and Prayer

There is a close connection between thanksgiving and prayer.

“Rejoice...pray...in everything give thanks...” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

“Rejoice...prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests...” (Philippians 4:4-7)

“...prayer...with thanksgiving...” (Colossians 4:2)

“...supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks...” (1 Timothy 2:1-2; an acT of prayer)

Consider what the Lord has done. Be thankful! Pray!

Jason Cicero

Thanksgiving is a Way of Life

“...giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ...” (Ephesians 5:20; NKJV).

Ephesians 5:3-4 describes a manner of life, a way of life. As the children of God (Ephesians 5:1), we are not to live in such a way. Rather we are to imitate God (Ephesians 5:1), we are to walk in love (Ephesians 5:2), we are to live a life of thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:4).

Thanksgiving is a sign of the Spirit filled life (Ephesians 5:18-20). In Christ, thanksgiving and praise are the"sacrifices" we offer to God (Hebrews 13:10-16).

In this season of thanksgiving, let us resolve to live out our days with a thankful heart. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights...”(James 1:17).

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

Then He said to them,"These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." (Luke 24:44; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Sunday—the first day of creation.

Sunday—the day Jesus arose.

Sunday—the first day salvation was preached.

Sunday—the day the church began.

Sunday—the Lord’s day.

Sunday—the day the saints assemble.

Sunday—what a great day!

They Shall See His Face

"They shall see His face..." (Revelation 22:4).

I've seen some special things in my life. There are some things in life I long to see. To see His face is my deepest longing.

No one compares to Him. Nothing compares to Him. He is the beginning and the end. He is everything and all things. He is the One I long to see, to touch, to be with. To see His face, to be in His presence, to never have to leave His side, that will be glory for me.

Jason Cicero

All Things Knew

Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful" (Revelation 21:5).

Things in this world have gone terribly wrong because of sin. In the new heaven and new earth all the wrongs will be made right. All things will be "new."

No more tears, death, sorrow, crying, or pain. The former things will pass away. All things will be "new."

Jason Cicero

The Book of Life

"And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15).

The Lamb has a book. He writes names in it (Philippians 4:3). He blots names out of it (Revelation 3:5).

At the final judgment the Lamb's Book of Life will be opened (Revelation 20:12). Those not found in His book will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). "But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life" (Revelation 21:27).

Allow Jesus to love you. Allow Him to wash you from your sins in His own blood. Allow Him to write your name in His book: "To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood..." (Revelation 1:5).

Jason Cicero

KING & LORD

We glory, honor, and worship Him because of who He is:

And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS
AND LORD OF LORDS.

Crown Him the King of your life. Submit to Him as your Lord. Receive Him as your Savior.

Jason Cicero

Babylon the Great is Fallen

After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying,"Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen..."(Revelation 18:1-2).

It would seem to be the Babylon under discussion in Revelation 18 is Rome. The time and historical context of the book leads me to this conclusion. Others see Jerusalem or some city yet to come.

Whatever city is under discussion in Revelation 18 know this: "strong is the Lord God who judges her" (Revelation 18:8). Cities rise and fall under the watchful eye of the true and living God. He is Lord over all and will judge righteously.

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

Then He said to them,"These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." (Luke 24:44; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Manners in God's House.

1. Be on time.

2. Sit quietly.

3. Let others listen.

4. Sing praises to God.

5. Talk to God.

6. Give money quietly.

7. Walk with care.

8. Take care of God's house.

Jason Cicero

Those Who Are With Him

"These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful" (Revelation 17:14).

Called - by the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)

Chosen - in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14)

Faithful - unto death (Revelation 2:10)

Jason Cicero

The Seven Bowls of Wrath

The true and living God "rules in the kingdoms of men"(Daniel 9:21). Revelation 16 appears to describe God's judgment of the Roman empire. These "bowls of the wrath of God" are poured out on the earth, not in the final judgment, but in a judgment that results in men continuing to blaspheme God (Revelation 16:21).

Rome sinned against God, did not heed the warnings of the trumpets, and God poured out His wrath.

I have sinned against God. His trumpets of warnings are sounding now. I can avoid His wrath if I repent.

Jason Cicero

They Sing

Those "who have victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name"sing (Revelation 15:2-3). Not just any song, mind you."They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God,and the song of the Lamb" (Revelation 15:3).

The song they sing: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested" (Revelation 15:3-4).

Long to join those who sing! Fear the Lord and glorify His name! Worship Him in the beauty of holiness!

Jason Cicero

The 144,000

In Revelation 7 the 144,000 are on earth: "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads." And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand..." (Revelation 7:3-4).

In Revelation 14 the 144,000 are in heaven: "Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand...for they are without fault before the throne of God" (Revelation 14:1, 5).

As long as we follow the Lamb on earth, we will end up in Heaven: "These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes" (Revelation 14:4).

Jason Cicero

The Mark of the Beast

In the latter half of the first century Roman emperors began erected emperor temples where Roman citizens were required to prove their loyalty to the emperor. Some would burn a pinch of incense at the image of the emperor. Others would pour a libation and taste sacrificial meat.

In order to buy and sell in Roman markets in the latter half of the first century one would need a certificate. This certificate was given by the cult priests to those who had worshiped the emperor. Revelation 13:17 seems to be a reference to this certificate: "and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."

What would the Christians of the first century do? Bow the knew to Caesar or Christ? What would you have done?

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

Then He said to them,"These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." (Luke 24:44; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Look up. It’s His day.

Look up. It’s His worship.

Look up. It’s His assembly.

Look up. Self gets too much attention.

Look up. At Him, not your neighbor.

Look up. You won’t go where you’re not aimed.

They Overcame Him

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,"Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."(Revelation 12:10-11)

The brethren overcame the accuser through three things:

1. The blood of the Lamb

2. The word of their testimony

3. They did not love their lives to the death.

You and I must overcome him the same way...

Jason Cicero

His Kingdom and Reign

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The Kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (Revelation 11:15)

Revelation 11:15-19 describes the victory of the Lamb. Kingdoms rose to oppose Him. He consumed each and every one of them. These kingdoms have become His and He will reign forever. His kingdom and reign will never cease.

The prophets and saints and those who feared His name are rewarded by the Lord God Almighty (Revelation 11:17-18). These did not oppose the Lamb. They overcame the opposing kingdoms by the Lamb. So can we.

Jason Cicero

They Did Not Repent

God has used trumpets throughout His dealings with mankind to sound warnings. Revelation 9 speaks of those who heard the trumpets, the warnings, and yet they did not heed them. "But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repentof their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts" (Revelation 9:20-21).

Warning signs abound. See them. Repent.

Jason Cicero

When the Saints Pray

"When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake." (Revelation 8:1-5)

When the saints pray, great things happen.

Jason Cicero