Understanding Jesus Through the Hebrew Bible's Richness
Summary
A deep understanding of the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament, is essential for truly grasping who God is and appreciating the richness of the New Testament. The Hebrew Bible can feel intimidating and foreign, but immersing ourselves in its stories, poetry, and symbols pays off by revealing the depth and intentionality behind Jesus’ actions and words. The New Testament writers, including Jesus himself, constantly draw from the Hebrew Bible through direct quotes, allusions, and symbols. Recognizing these connections not only enriches our reading but also shapes our imagination and faith.
In Mark chapter 11, Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is layered with meaning from the Hebrew Bible. The use of the colt recalls Solomon’s anointing as king, signaling Jesus as the true, divinely appointed king. The crowds’ cries of “Hosanna” directly quote Psalm 118, a psalm about pilgrims coming to Jerusalem to offer sacrifice—foreshadowing Jesus’ own sacrificial mission. Their proclamation of the coming kingdom alludes to Ezekiel 37, where God promises a forever king from David’s line, reinforcing Jesus’ identity as the fulfillment of Israel’s hopes.
Jesus’ prophetic actions in the temple—overturning tables and quoting Isaiah 56 and Jeremiah 7—expose the corruption of religious leaders and warn of impending judgment. The cursing of the fig tree, a symbol for Israel, echoes Jeremiah’s warnings about fruitlessness and impending exile. When Jesus speaks of casting “this mountain” into the sea, he invokes the imagery of Mount Zion (the temple mount) being thrown into chaos, a sign of decreation and judgment.
Yet, the story does not end in destruction. The God of the Hebrew Bible is always working redemption out of decreation, as seen in the Exodus. Jesus’ journey through suffering and sacrifice leads to liberation from the deepest oppressions—sin, evil, and death. Allowing the Hebrew Bible to shape our minds helps us see that God’s story always moves toward hope and restoration, never ending in chaos.
For those who find the Hebrew Bible confusing, take heart: it is challenging, but the rewards are immense. Start by reading or listening to it regularly, and whenever you encounter a quote or symbol in the New Testament, go back and read the original context. There are excellent resources available, like the Bible Project, to help guide your journey. As we sing the words of Psalm 40 and cry out “How long?” we join the ancient and future people of God, trusting that liberation and new creation are always on the horizon.
Key Takeaways
- The Hebrew Bible as the Foundation for Understanding Jesus
Immersing ourselves in the Hebrew Bible transforms our understanding of Jesus’ life and mission. Every action and word of Jesus is deeply rooted in the stories, symbols, and promises of Israel’s Scriptures, revealing that nothing he did was accidental or out of context. This foundation allows us to see Jesus not as a disconnected figure, but as the fulfillment of God’s long-standing covenant and redemptive plan. [43:00]
- Direct Quotes, Allusions, and Symbols: Three Keys to Deeper Reading
The New Testament’s use of the Hebrew Bible is multifaceted: sometimes it quotes directly, sometimes it alludes subtly, and often it employs rich symbols. Recognizing these layers—like the colt, the fig tree, or the mountain—invites us to read with greater attentiveness and curiosity. Each reference is an invitation to return to the original context, where the full meaning and significance come alive. [45:17]
- Prophetic Acts and the Call to Fruitfulness
Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree and his actions in the temple are not random acts of anger, but prophetic signs rooted in the Hebrew prophets. They challenge us to examine whether our own lives and communities bear the fruit God desires, or whether we have settled for empty ritual and self-preservation. God’s expectation of fruitfulness is not bound by season or circumstance; it is a call to continual faithfulness and justice. [48:35]
- Decreation and Redemption: God’s Pattern of Renewal
The pattern of decreation—when God allows chaos or judgment to come—is never the end of the story in the Hebrew Bible. Just as the Exodus led from destruction to liberation, so too does Jesus’ journey through suffering lead to resurrection and new creation. This shapes our hope: even when we face loss or judgment, God is always working toward restoration and covenant renewal. [53:59]
- Embracing the Challenge and Reward of the Hebrew Bible
Engaging with the Hebrew Bible can be confusing and difficult, but it is a journey worth taking. By reading, listening, and exploring resources, we allow our minds and hearts to be shaped by God’s grand narrative. This not only deepens our faith but equips us to see the unity and purpose in all of Scripture, empowering us to live with greater wisdom and hope. [55:41]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Introduction: Why Study the Hebrew Bible
[03:25] - Three Ways the New Testament Uses the Hebrew Bible
[07:40] - Direct Quotes: Mark 11 and Mashups
[11:15] - Allusions: The Shema and Jesus’ Divinity
[14:30] - Symbols: Cities, Jackals, and Deeper Meaning
[17:50] - Mark 11: Jesus’ Entry and the Colt Symbol
[22:05] - Psalm 118: Direct Quote and Sacrifice
[26:10] - Allusion to Ezekiel 37: The Coming Kingdom
[30:20] - Mark’s “Sandwich” Structure: Fig Tree and Temple
[34:45] - Jesus’ Prophetic Act: Temple Cleansing
[38:00] - Fig Tree as Israel: Symbolism and Judgment
[41:30] - Mountain and Sea: Decreation Imagery
[44:50] - Connecting the Pieces: Jesus as Fulfillment
[48:00] - Decreation, Exodus, and Hope
[52:00] - Practical Steps for Engaging the Hebrew Bible
[56:00] - Resources and Encouragement
[57:52] - Closing Song: Psalm 40 and “How Long?”
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Hebrew Bible as the Foundation for Understanding Jesus
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### Bible Reading
- Mark 11:1-25 (Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the colt, the fig tree, and the temple)
- Psalm 118:19-29 (The psalm quoted by the crowds: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”)
- Jeremiah 7:1-15 (Prophetic warning about the temple and justice, quoted by Jesus)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Mark 11, what are some of the Old Testament symbols and direct quotes that show up during Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem? (colt, “Hosanna,” fig tree, etc.)
2. According to Psalm 118, what is the context of the phrase “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”? Who is saying it, and why?
3. In Jeremiah 7, what is God’s main complaint against the people who come to the temple?
4. In the sermon, what does the fig tree represent, and why is it significant that Jesus curses it even though it’s not the season for figs? [48:35]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do the Gospel writers, and Jesus himself, use so many direct quotes, allusions, and symbols from the Hebrew Bible? What does this tell us about how we should read the New Testament? [43:00]
2. What is the deeper meaning behind Jesus riding a colt into Jerusalem, and how does it connect to the story of Solomon in 1 Kings 1?
3. When Jesus overturns the tables in the temple and quotes Isaiah 56 and Jeremiah 7, what is he saying about the purpose of the temple and the behavior of the religious leaders? [45:17]
4. The sermon mentions that God’s pattern is to bring redemption out of decreation (chaos or judgment). How does this pattern show up in the stories of Exodus and in Jesus’ actions in Mark 11? [53:59]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon encourages us to let the Hebrew Bible shape our minds and imagination. What is one story, symbol, or passage from the Old Testament that has shaped your understanding of Jesus? How did it change your perspective? [43:00]
2. When you read the New Testament and come across a quote or symbol from the Old Testament, do you usually look up the original context? If not, what keeps you from doing it? What is one step you could take to start this habit? [56:58]
3. Jesus’ prophetic actions in the temple and with the fig tree challenge us to examine our own fruitfulness. In what areas of your life or our church community do you see fruitfulness? Where do you see “empty ritual” or self-preservation? [48:35]
4. The sermon says that God’s expectation of fruitfulness is not bound by season or circumstance. Is there an area in your life where you feel like it’s “not the season” to bear fruit? What might it look like to be faithful anyway? [48:35]
5. The pattern of decreation and redemption means that even when things fall apart, God is working toward restoration. Can you share a time in your life when something felt like chaos or loss, but God brought hope or renewal out of it? [53:59]
6. The Hebrew Bible can feel confusing or intimidating. What is one resource (like the Bible Project, an app, or a reading plan) you could try this month to help you engage with it more regularly? [56:58]
7. The closing song and Psalm 40 echo the cry, “How long?” When you feel stuck or oppressed, how does remembering God’s story of liberation and new creation help you hold onto hope? [57:52]
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Devotional
Day 1: Understanding Jesus Through the Hebrew Bible
To truly grasp who Jesus is and what He accomplished, it is essential to have our minds shaped by the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). The stories, symbols, and prophecies of the Hebrew Bible provide the context and depth that fill out the meaning of Jesus’ actions and words in the New Testament. When we see how Jesus fulfills, references, and even reinterprets these ancient texts, we realize that nothing He did was accidental—every detail was purposeful, rooted in God’s long story with His people. By immersing ourselves in the Hebrew Bible, we gain a richer, more profound appreciation for God’s character and the redemption He brings through Christ. [52:31]
Deuteronomy 6:4 (ESV)
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
Reflection: What is one story or symbol from the Old Testament that you find confusing or intimidating? This week, can you set aside time to read it and ask God to show you how it points to Jesus?
Day 2: Jesus as the Anointed King—The Symbol of the Colt
When Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a colt, He is intentionally echoing the story of Solomon’s anointing as king in 1 Kings 1. Just as Solomon was placed on King David’s mule and brought into Jerusalem to be crowned, Jesus rides into the city as the true, divinely appointed King. This act is not just a random detail; it is a powerful symbol that connects Jesus to the promises of a forever king from David’s line. Recognizing these connections helps us see that Jesus’ kingship is not a new idea, but the fulfillment of God’s ancient plan. [41:00]
1 Kings 1:32-35 (ESV)
“King David said, ‘Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.’ So they came before the king. And the king said to them, ‘Take with you the servants of your lord and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon. And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet there anoint him king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and say, “Long live King Solomon!” You shall then come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, for he shall be king in my place. And I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.’”
Reflection: In what ways do you see Jesus as King in your life today? Is there an area where you need to acknowledge His authority more fully?
Day 3: The Prophetic Act—The Fig Tree and the Temple
Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree and His cleansing of the temple are prophetic acts deeply rooted in the Hebrew Bible, especially in Jeremiah 7 and 8. The fig tree represents Israel, and its lack of fruit is a warning about spiritual barrenness. By quoting Isaiah 56 and Jeremiah 7, Jesus confronts the corruption and exploitation happening in God’s house, warning that if God’s people do not fulfill their calling, judgment will come. These acts are not just about ancient Israel—they challenge us to examine whether our own lives and communities are bearing the fruit God desires. [49:23]
Jeremiah 7:9-11 (ESV)
“Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—only to go on doing all these abominations? Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the Lord.”
Reflection: Is there an area in your life or in your community where you sense God calling you to repentance or to bear more spiritual fruit? What practical step can you take today to respond?
Day 4: God’s Story Never Ends in Decreation
Even when God allows judgment or “decreation”—as seen in the Exodus plagues or the destruction of the temple—His story never ends there. The Hebrew Bible shows that God uses even chaos and loss as a vehicle for liberation and new beginnings. Just as the Exodus led to covenant and freedom, Jesus’ death and resurrection bring ultimate liberation from sin, evil, and death. When we let the Hebrew Bible shape our imagination, we learn to trust that God always brings new creation out of what seems like the end. [53:59]
Exodus 14:21-22 (ESV)
“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.”
Reflection: Where in your life do you feel like you are facing chaos or an ending? How might God be preparing to bring new life or freedom through this situation?
Day 5: Shaping Your Mind by the Hebrew Bible
Engaging with the Hebrew Bible may feel daunting, but it is worth the effort. By reading, listening, and exploring the context of Old Testament passages—especially when they are quoted or alluded to in the New Testament—you will discover layers of meaning and see God’s faithfulness across generations. There are many resources to help, from Bible reading apps to video overviews. The more you immerse yourself in the Hebrew Bible, the more you will see how Jesus fulfills God’s promises and how your own story fits into God’s grand narrative. [56:58]
Psalm 40:1-3 (ESV)
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to become more familiar with the Hebrew Bible—such as reading a new book, listening to an audio Bible, or watching a Bible Project video?
Quotes
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