The-Life-of-Jesus

Jesus - A Brief Biography

Please realize that this is a brief biography. I have touched only on some of the highlights of Christ’s life. There are many resources in which you can read about Christ’s message and promise to all people; the best of course being the Bible. I myself reference the King James Version. I encourage you to learn all you can about this most important Person.

His Birth and Early Years

During the time when Rome ruled most of the world including Israel and the surrounding areas, there lived a young maiden by the name of Mary. Mary was known for her devoutness to God. She was betrothed to a carpenter by the name of Joseph.

It came to pass that the Lord looked favorably upon Mary and sent unto her an angel. This angel told her that she would conceive a Son by God and that she should call him Jesus. When Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant he thought to put her away and not marry her as he knew the child was not his. While wrestling with his doubts, God sent an angel to Joseph explaining Mary's pregnancy and telling him to marry her, which he did.

A short time after the marriage a census was called and Joseph had to take Mary with him to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem the city was very crowded and they were unable to find lodging. An innkeeper offered them use of his stable, which they gratefully accepted. There Mary gave birth to Jesus. Close by the angels were announcing the birth of Christ to shepherds who then traveled to see this miracle.

A great star appeared in the sky at the time of Jesus’ birth. Three wise men from the East followed this star for almost two years. At one point during their journey they were guests of a wicked king called Herod the Great. Not knowing his evil, they revealed they were searching for the Messiah, the One who would be the King of Kings. Herod asked them to let him know once they found this Messiah so he could worship Him as well. In actuality, Herod planned to dispose of what he viewed as his rival.

The wise men followed the star and found Jesus. They gifted Him with gold, frankincense and myrrh and fell down and worshiped Him. Then being warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed.

After learning of the wise men’s departure, Herod ordered that all the children of Bethlehem two years old and younger be slain. Being forewarned by an angel Joseph took Mary and Jesus and fled to Egypt and there they lived until Herod’s death.

After Herod’s death they returned to Israel and settled in the town of Nazareth. This fulfills the prophecies that the Messiah would be called Nazarene.

The Beginning of His Ministry

Jesus’ cousin was John the Baptist. John was a prophet who lived in the wilderness near the River Jordan. Many people came to listen to John preach about the repentance of sin and the coming of the Messiah. He taught the mystery of baptism – the washing away of sins and receiving forgiveness from God. When Jesus presented Himself to John for baptism, John at first refused requesting Christ to baptize him. But Jesus said He needed John to baptize Him so John did. When Jesus rose from the water the Spirit of God "descended like a dove" lighting upon Him saying, "This is My Beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased."

Soon thereafter, Jesus went in to the desert to fast forty days and forty nights. During this time the Devil tempted Christ to relieve His hunger and thirst, to defy death and offered Jesus the Earth if Jesus would worship him. Jesus prevailed against all these temptations banishing the Devil from His Presence. Then the angels came down from heaven and ministered to Him. It was time for His ministry to begin.

Jesus first went about recruiting those who would be known as the Twelve Disciples. The first two being Peter, whom Jesus called Simon and Andrew, two brothers who were fishermen. Christ declared that if they followed Him, He would make them fishers of men. Then came John (the son of Zebedee), John, Philip Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (the son of Alpheus), Thaddeus, Simon and Judas.

Together with His disciples, Jesus began His ministry preaching the gospel. He taught with sermons and parables, traveling throughout Israel. His most famous sermon was delivered on a mountain near Capernaum. In the sermon He taught that we should trust to God our worries and concerns, that we should love our enemies, and that we should not judge others. Most importantly, He gave us two new commandments: To love God before all else and to treat others as you would have them treat you. He delivered the Lord’s Prayer. He made it known that God would know one, not by one’s wealth, treasure, nor deeds but by the truth in one’s heart. In addition to sermons, Jesus taught with parables. A parable is an illustrative story with a spiritual meaning. There are thirteen parables within Matthew 13.

Jesus performed many miracles during His ministry. God gave Jesus power over nature, disease and even death.

Jesus had power over nature. Jesus and his disciples traveled throughout Israel. While in a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee Jesus slept. A violent thunderstorm came up threatening to sink the boat and the disciples awakened Jesus fearing for their lives. Jesus chastised them for having so little faith. He then rebuked the storm, which immediately became calm. The disciples were awed and marveled at a man whom even the winds and seas would obey.

Jesus had power over disease. Jesus cured many peoples afflicted with illness, injury and disease. He made the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the crippled to walk and the lepers free of disease.

Jesus had power over death. He had a friend by the name of Lazarus who lived in Bethany. Jesus learned of Lazarus’ death and went to Bethany to the home of Lazarus and his two sisters. By the time He arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days.

The burial customs of that time were such that Lazarus had been sealed in a cave which would serve as his tomb. The entrance had been sealed with a large boulder. Jesus asked that the stone be moved. He then shouted to Lazarus to come forth. To the astonishment of the witnesses, Lazarus came forth from the cave, alive, well, and whole – completely restored to life. This miracle convinced many that Jesus was indeed the Son of God.

The Arrest and Trial

The Jewish community was expecting the Messiah. They believed he would be a great warrior to lead them to victory over their enemies and reign on the throne of David for all eternity. Jesus’ overall message was one of love and forgiveness. This was not in keeping with the expectations of the Jewish people. Although many recognized Him as the Savior, many did not. As Jesus’ influence grew, so did the jealousy and fear of the Jewish leaders. The accused Him of blasphemy and had Him arrested. One of His own disciples, Judas, led the authorities to Him. All this was in keeping with God’s plan and with what Jesus foretold of His own fate.

Jesus’ trial was presided over by the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate. He felt that Jesus should be released but fearing the mob gave in to their demands for His death. Pilate washed his hands of the matter and bid them to do as they wished. Jesus was sentenced to death by crucifixion.

His Death and Resurrection

Crucifixion is a most gruesome and painful death. One would be nailed to a cross through his arms and legs and then the cross would be raised to an upright position. Once raised, the pain would be excruciating, not only from the pain of the nails through the wrists with weight pulling on them, but it also makes it difficult for the lungs to expand for breathing. One would then try to push oneself up to breathe, putting pressure on the nails through the ankles. It is difficult to maintain this for long. So a cycle of pushing up to breathe and bearing the pain of hanging continues unto death.

Jesus was made to carry His cross through the town to Calvary all the while being beaten and whipped by the Roman soldiers. They even made Him wear a crown of thorns. At Calvary He was crucified. Even then, the Romans continued torture Him until He died. Before His death, Jesus forgave those who killed Him.

When Jesus died, His body was placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. Jesus had told His disciples that He would rise and return from death. His enemies also knew of His claim. To prevent any of the faithful from stealing His body and claiming He had risen, they placed a large boulder in front of the tomb and placed sentries there to guard it.

On the third day after Jesus died an angel descended, and the soldiers fled. Mary His mother and Mary Magdalene returned to the tomb. There they found two angels who told them they would see Him again in Galilee. He appeared first to Mary Magdalene. She told the other disciples who did not believe her. The disciples came and found an empty tomb. Jesus had risen from the dead! He then appeared to other disciples and believers commanding them to spread the gospel and baptize new believers. He empowered His disciples to heal, cast out demons and perform other such miracles to aid them in their ministries. He then ascended into Heaven.

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