The Life of Christ

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: John 20:24-31

I. Introduction: We often study about Christ and what He means to our lives. However, we do not often look at His life itself; a biographical survey of His life. This evening we are going to look at the most important person who ever lived on earth, Jesus. John 21:25: “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.”

II. References: “Sir, We Would See Jesus” by Bob and Sandra Waldron; Baker’s Harmony of the Gospels

III. Eternal preexistence of Jesus

A. Role in creation

B. John 1:1-5

C. He was in the beginning because He is God The worlds were made through Him Colossians 1:16-17: “All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”

D. Plan of salvation from the beginning

E. Ephesians 1:3-6 – Chosen in Christ from the beginning1 Peter 1:20: “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”

F. Prophetic anticipation

G. 1 Peter 1:8-12 – The prophets looked forward to Christ and salvation There are several hundred prophesies in the Old Testament about Jesus. During the time of Jesus, many were anticipating the coming of the Messiah, or Christ—the anointed one (king).

IV. Humble birth

A. Despite the claims of many in the Christmas season, we do not know the day when Christ was born.

B. December 25 was chosen for practicality, not historical accuracy. Some have made a good case for Jesus being born in March—though scholars through the centuries have made good cases for about every month of the year. If it were important for us to know, and if Jesus wanted us to celebrate it, he would have preserved the date for us. He did not. Because of the rulers mentioned in the gospels, and the time of the census of Tiberius, we do know that Jesus was born about 3 or 4 B.C.

C. Jesus came into the world in a humble manner

D. God came to a young unmarried woman, Mary, to tell her that God had chosen her to bring the Messiah into the world. She gladly accepted. She was betrothed, similar to engagement, to Joseph, a carpenter who, after an angel explained the situation to him, took Mary to be his wife but kept her a virgin until after Jesus was born. They were a poor family as indicated by the sacrifice of doves when they dedicated Jesus at the temple.

E. Jesus could have come into the world in the richest of families, with the greatest comforts of life, yet He chose to come into poor, humble family.

F. We know basically nothing of Jesus’ formative years, until about age 30, but would presume that he worked as a carpenter with His father as he prepared for His mission.

V. Mission and preparation

A. Mission

B. Luke 19:10: “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Galatians 4:4-5: “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” Matthew 1:21: “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

C. John the Baptist

D. John the Baptist, a relative of Jesus, was conceived under miraculous circumstances and born three months before Jesus. John prepared the people for Jesus by preaching that the kingdom of heaven was at hand and that he was preparing the way for the king, the Christ. John did his work well and many were ready when Jesus began to teach.

VI. Major periods in Jesus’ life

A. Early Ministry

B. We know that Jesus’ work of teaching took about three years by the counting of the Passover feasts in the gospels.

C. Jesus began His ministry by being baptized by John the Baptist.

D. It was not for remission of sins or for repentance. John 1:24-32 - Jesus’ baptism After Jesus was baptized, He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness but overcame him with God’s word. During the first few months, Jesus primarily taught in the region of Galilee. Jesus then visited Jerusalem for the Passover where he cleansed the temple of the moneychangers, which brought Him to the attention of the people and the rulers of the Jews. According to John, Jesus began to get many followers during that trip. Jesus continued to teach in Judea for a time but when John the Baptist was imprisoned, Jesus left for Galilee. On the way He taught a Samaritan woman and the people of her city though the Jews would often avoid the Samaritans.

E. Great Galilean Ministry

F. Many have called the next period, that covers about two years, the Great Galilean ministry.

G. Many miracles, much teaching, many parables, and the beginning of conflict with the Jewish leaders characterized this period. As he taught, the number of disciples grew.

H. First tour

I. He was rejected at Nazareth, His hometown. He said a prophet is not accepted in his own country and by his own people. He then went to Capernaum and other cities. Matthew 4:23-25 – Through the synagogues healing the sick Sometime on the first tour through Galilee, Jesus chose His twelve apostles to be special teachers whom He would train to carry on the work of teaching after He was crucified.

J. Second tour

K. Luke 8:1-3

L. As Jesus’ popularity grew, so did the opposition from the Jewish leaders.

M. Some accused Him of casting out demons by Beelzebub

N. Some asked for signs and ignored the miracles Jesus performed.

O. John 7:31: “And many of the people believed in Him, and said, ‘When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done’?” John 3:2 (Nicodemus): “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

P. Yet the common people heard him gladly.

Q. He spoke with authority. He spoke simply, using parables of common things. He spoke truly.

R. At then end of this second tour, His hometown people still rejected him, Matthew 13:53-57.

S. Third tour (Mark 6:4-12)

T. Jesus again went through Galilee but this time He sent the apostles on a mission to teach in the region. This teaching trip would prepare them for the mission to teach the world. During this last tour, Herod killed John the Baptist.

U. Period of Retirement

V. Description

W. The period lasted about six months; the beginning of the last year of His life. Jesus often “retired” from the crowds and focused on preparing the apostles for their mission. During this time, the Jewish leaders’ opposition to Jesus was growing.

X. First retirement

Y. By the Sea of Galilee, Jesus fed a crowd of 5,000 but soon withdrew from them when they wanted to make Him king. The people found Jesus but Jesus rebuked them for following for the food. Many turned away and did not follow Him anymore. Second retirement - Jesus and the apostles journeyed to Tyre and Sidon. Third retirement – Through Decapolis where He fed the 4,000

Z. Fourth retirement

A. Through Bethsaida to Caesarea Philippi Jesus tells the apostles that He is going to die and be resurrected. Jesus is transfigured on a mountain. Jesus reminds His disciples of the dedication they must have and rebukes them for arguing over who would be the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus journeys to Samaria

B. Close of His ministry

C. Lasts about six months. Goes to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles where there is much excitement about Him and conflicts with the Jewish leaders who tried to trap Jesus with His words. The Jewish leaders began to make more accusations about Jesus but they can do nothing for the people follow Jesus. Jesus went to Perea where he taught about the great cost of discipleship and the great love of God towards sinners. In one of the greatest miracles of the Bible, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

D. After this, Jesus began His last trip to Jerusalem.

E. He continued to teach and prophesy of His coming death and resurrection. On this last trip, that would end with His death, He was still concerned more about the salvation of others and having mercy on the sick.

F. Last week

G. Jesus was welcomed to Jerusalem as a victorious king; the people placing garments and palm leaves on the road before Him. He cleansed the temple again, as He did when He began His work.

H. Early in the week, Jesus answered challenges from the Jewish leaders about His authority and teaching.

I. They tried to trap Him, but marveled that He answered wisely. They realized that they would not be able to discredit Him, and plotted to kill Him. One of the apostles, Judas, made a bargain with the chief priests to arrange for them to take Jesus secretly. Late in the week, probably Thursday, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper and warned the disciples about what would take place. Jesus and the apostles went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. In the garden, Judas led the mob to Jesus where they arrested Him.

J. Trials of Jesus

K. Jesus underwent a series of trials that were a mockery of justice. He was tried before the high priest and part of the Jewish council, the Sanhedrin, for blasphemy though the false witnesses didn’t truly agree. He was tried before the Roman government as a traitor and though Pilate wanted to release Him as innocent, the mob, incited by the Jewish leaders, called for His crucifixion.

L. Crucifixion

M. Before His crucifixion, Pilate had Jesus beaten (perhaps to appease the Jews in hopes that they would not demand His crucifixion) Jesus was taken to Golgotha and was crucified with two thieves. Jesus was on the cross from about 9am until 3pm. Matthew 27:50-54 – Events accompanying His death Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus requested the body of Jesus and buried it in Joseph’s tomb. The body was prepared as best as could be and the tomb was sealed. The Jews requested, and received, a guard for the tomb lest the apostles try to steal Jesus’ body.

N. Resurrection

O. Early on Sunday morning, the women came to finish preparing the body of Jesus and found the tomb empty and angels telling them that Jesus was alive. Over the next 40 days, Jesus appeared to his apostles and other followers before ascending back to the Father. Before He ascended, He told His disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them, which happened on the Day of Pentecost, when the church was established.

VII. Jesus’ life shows us important things

A. The Father – John 14:7: ““If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

B. The love, mercy, and anger of God

C. Holiness exemplified – 1 John 2:5-6

VIII. Conclusion

A. Someone said: “All the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever were built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has this one solitary life.”

B. Napoleon Bonaparte said, “Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires; but upon what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ alone founded his empire upon love, and at this hour millions of men would die for him.”

C. John Bunyan said, “He wrestled with justice, that thou mightest have rest; he wept and mourned, that thou mightest laugh and rejoice; he was betrayed, that thou mightest go free; was apprehended, that thou mightest escape; he was condemned, that thou mightest be justified, and was killed, that thou mightest live; he wore a crown of thorns, that thou mightest wear a crown of glory; and was nailed to the cross with his arms wide open, to show with what freeness all his merits shall be bestowed on the coming soul, and how heartily he will receive it into his bosom.”

D. What has His life, and death, meant to you?