If You Are Willing

I love this request. I long for the faith behind it. "And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, 'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean'" (Matthew 8:2; NKJV).

I love this response even more. I long to experience it myself. "Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, 'I am willing; be cleansed.' Immediately his leprosy was cleansed" (Matthew 8:3; NKJV).

I know He is able. I long for Him to be willing. The response of Jesus to this leper tells me He is...

One day Jesus will put out His hand and touch me. I suspect He will say to me, "I was willing, Jason. You are cleansed. Welcome home." I can't wait to feel His touch. To hear His voice. To thank Him.

Jason Cicero

Jesus' Authority and Me

Authority (exousia) is the "power of rule or government, the power of one whose will and commands must be obeyed by others" (Vine's). God has inherent authority because of who He is. Jesus has been given "all authority" because of what He did.

#1. He became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

#2. He did not sin (Hebrews 4:15).

#3. He sacrificed Himself for the sins of others (Hebrews 9:26).

#4. He arose (Matthew 28:6).

#5. He ascended (Revelation 5:5-7).

Because of what He did...

#1. I go.

#2. I make disciples of all nations.

#3. I baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit.

#4. I teach them to observe all things He commanded.

#5. I trust He will be with me always.

Jason Cicero

Do I Do What He Did?

To be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to discipline oneself to be like Him. Jesus prayed without ceasing. He kept the converstation with His Father going.

"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed" (Mark 1:35; NKJV).

Jesus had the same amount of time in a day that I have. Jesus needed sleep as much as I do. Jesus had a greater purpose that I do.

His time, His needs, and His purpose did not keep him from getting away from it all to talk to His heavenly Father. Do mine? Then He said to me, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny Himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23; NKJV).

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him." (John 1:18; NASBU)

Sunday Morning Starters

Tomorrow I know where I'll be. I know where He'll be. I hope you'll be there too.

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20; NKJV)

Jason Cicero

He Yielded Up His Spirit

From noon to three in the afternoon there was darkness over all the land. One took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and offered it to Him to drink. Others said to leave Him alone. Finally, Jesus "yielded up His spirit."

To yield is "to send forth" (Strong's). Jesus sent forth His spirit. In other words, He chose to die at that exact time. His life was not taken from Him. He "gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father" (Galatians 1:4; NKJV).

He "yielded up His spirit" for me. I will rejoice in my spirit in Him. In spirit I will live for Him until He comes.

Jason Cicero

And They Ridiculed Him

The folks at Jairus' house were in an uproar. There was weeping and wailing. Jairus' daughter was dead.

Jesus came into the house. He asked a question: "Why make this commotion and weep?" He made an observation: "The child is not dead, but sleeping."

The folks at Jairus' house "ridiculed Him." They literally "laughed Him to scorn." Because of their response to Him, He put them all outside.

Face to face with God, they mourned as those who have no hope. Face to face with God, they did not believe His word. Face to face with God, they laughed in His face.

See Him. Hear Him. Believe Him. Be amazed by Him: "Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement" (Mark 5:43; NKJV).

Jason Cicero