Lesson 1 for January 4, 2014

 He knew the Scriptures.  He gave authority to the Scriptures.  He used the Scriptures to preach.  He convinced people with the Scriptures.  His disciples followed His example. The Bible was made up only of the Old Testament in Jesus’ day. It was known as “the Scriptures”. This week we’re studying how Jesus used the Scriptures:

“And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27) Jesus knew the Scriptures deeply. How did He learn the Scriptures? “In childhood, youth, and manhood, Jesus studied the Scriptures. As a little child He was daily at His mother’s knee taught from the scrolls of the prophets. E.G.W. (Education, cp. 20, pg. 185) In His youth the early morning and the evening twilight often found Him alone on the mountainside or among the trees of the forest, spending a quiet hour in prayer and the study of God’s word. During His ministry His intimate acquaintance with the Scriptures testifies to His diligence in their study. And since He gained knowledge as we may gain it, His wonderful power, both mental and spiritual, is a testimony to the value of the Bible as a means of education”

Understand His mission. “For the first time the child Jesus looked upon the temple [Lk. 2:41-42] … He beheld the bleeding victim upon the altar of sacrifice… He witnessed the impressive rites of the paschal service [Nm. 28:16]. Day by day He saw their meaning more clearly… The mystery of His mission was opening to the Saviour” (E.G.W., The Desire of Ages, pg. 57) Overcome temptation. “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” [Dt. 8:3] ” (Matthew 4:4) “Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘you shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” [Dt. 6:16] ” (Matthew 4:7) “Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” [Dt. 6:13] ” (Matthew 4:10) Explain His mission. “Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? [Sal. 118:22-23]... And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”” (Matthew 21:42, 44) Teach what was written about Himself in the Scriptures. “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27)

Jesus usually quoted examples and passages from the Bible while discussing with His opponents or preaching. That way He strengthened the authority of the Word of God. “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17) He made mention of David eating the showbread (1S. 21:1-6) He made mention of the sabbatical work of the priests in the temple (Nm. 28:9-10) He quoted Hosea 6:6 “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice” When the disciples began to pluck heads of grain on Sabbath (Mt. 12:1-8) He made mention of the commandment about honoring our parents (Ex. 20:12; 21:17) He quoted Isaiah 29:13 “These people honor Me with their lips…” To fight against the traditions of the Pharisees (Mt. 15:1-20) He quoted Psalm 82:6 “I said, “You are gods” When people wanted to stone Him for calling Himself Son of God (Jn. 10:32-38) The only safe path is to follow the example of Christ: Praising, honoring and obeying the Bible.

“You have heard that it was said…” (Matthew 5:21, 27, 31, 33, 38) We may find a good example of how Jesus used the Bible when preaching in the Sermon on the Mount. That is the most extensive sermon of Jesus in the Bible. “But while Jesus did away with the old forms, he re-instated the old truths, placing them in the frame- work of truth. He matched and joined them together, making a complete and symmetrical system of truth. This was the work our Saviour did; and now what shall we do? Shall we not work in harmony with Christ? Shall we be ruled by hearsay? Shall we let our own imaginings hide from us the light of God? We are to read attentively, to hear understandingly, and to teach others also the things we have learned. We must be constantly hungering for the bread of life, constantly seeking for the living water and the snow of Lebanon, that we may be able to lead the people to the living, cooling waters of the Fountain of truth” E.G.W. (Review and Herald, June 4, 1889)

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:14-15) Jesus tried to convinced people with the Bible in private conversations or small groups, instead of using miracles (Jn. 13:18-20; Lk. 10:25-28; 24:12-22) “In teaching these disciples, Jesus showed the importance of the Old Testament as a witness to His mission. Many professed Christians now discard the Old Testament, claiming that it is no longer of any use. But such is not Christ’s teaching. So highly did He value it that at one time He said, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”” E.G.W. (The Desire of Ages, cp. 83, pg. 799)

Encourage the preaching of the Gospel Romans 10:14-15Isaiah 52:7 Place Jews and Gentiles on an equal footing Romans 10:11-13Isaiah 28:16 Welcome the Gentiles to the Church Acts 15:1-31Amos 9:11-12 Call people to conversion Acts 3:18-26Deuteronomy 18:18 Choose the successor of Judas Acts 1:15-26Psalm 69:25; 109:8 The first disciples made the Bible their life guide and their rule of faith. For example, they used the Bible to:

“Of Christ’s life and death and intercession, which prophets had foretold, the apostles were to go forth as witnesses. Christ in His humiliation, in His purity and holiness, in His matchless love, was to be their theme. And in order to preach the gospel in its fullness, they must present the Saviour not only as revealed in His life and teachings, but as foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament and as symbolized by the sacrificial service” E.G.W. (Christ’s Object Lessons, cp. 11, pg. 127) As Jesus and the apostles did, we must preach by using the Word of God to show Salvation to others.