The Life Jesus 10-1-2023
Introduction
John 1:4 — In him was ZOE; and the ZOE was the PHOS of men.
John 1:4 — In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
We are going to survey what the Scriptures tell us concerning Jesus and His life. We will look at the testimony of the whole Bible with an emphasis on harmonizing the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). When we harmonize these four Gospels it is important to remember that the sequences of many events are a matter of subjective debate.
1. Jesus Christ of Eternity Past
- verses: John 1:1; John 17:5; 1 Peter 1:20; Hebrews 13:8; Hebrews 7:3; Micah 5:2; John 8:58; Matthew 1:1
a. He was before the Creation of the World
b. He is eternally the same.
c. He has no beginning.
d. He was before Abraham (and was the son of Abraham).
2. Jesus Christ of the Old Testament
Throughout the New Testament, the writers affirm that Jesus wasn't just an important man: he was the one the Old Testament writers prophecied would come. Jesus can be found in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. We can look at any book in the Bible and hear something about Jesus.
1. Pre-Incarnate Theophanies/Christophanies (Old Testament appearances of God the Son):
THEOPHANY — a visible manifestation to humankind (an appearance) of God (Genesis 3:8)
CHRISTOPHANY —
Geneis 16:7-13; Genesis 18; Genesis 24:7 , 40
He is also revealed to be a distinct Person.
- “The Angel of Jehovah” no longer appears after the Incarnation.
- Both “the Angel of the Lord” and Jesus are sent by God the Father to reveal truth and lead and protect Israel.
- No one has seen God the Father (John 1:18).
- Old Testament references to the Trinity.
- Genesis 1:26 “Let us make man in our image.”
- Genesis 2:24 “They shall be one flesh.”
- Deuteronomy 6:4 “One” = “Unity”
- Genesis 3 God walking in the Garden. Who was that?
- Begin looking for Jesus in the Old Testament.
2. Types (symbols, a foreshadowing, or something that typifies something or someone else):
- Joseph and Noah are types of Christ.
3. Old Testament Prophecies (Prophecies of Jesus spoken by Old Testament prophets):
- Jesus fulfilled over 300 Old Testament prophecies. Luke 4:16-21; Isaiah 61:1,2
d. Other O.T. Mentions of Jesus
- What Can We Learn from Jesus Being Mentioned in the Old Testament?
- the Bible is all about Jesus.
- Concealed and Revealed
3. Jesus Christ of Obscurity
a. We are given rare glimpses into Jesus' early years.
b. Luke interviewed eye witnesses for his Gospel account.
c. Songs and His Birth
d. Jesus of Bethlehem, Nazareth, Capernaum
Matthew 3:13 — Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
John 7:41 — Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
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"Then Cometh Jesus from Galilee" (Matthew 2:19-23; Jg 13:5; 1Sa 1:11; Joh 1:45)
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How did Jesus get to Nazareth, Galilee?
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Born in Bethlehem: Matthew 2:1
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Visited by Wiseman in Bethlehem: Matthew 2:9-11
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Wisemen return different way, Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt: Matthew 2:12-15
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From Egypt to Nazareth: Matthew 2:23
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Baptized by John in the Jordan River: Mk 1:9-11, Mt 3:13-17
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From Nazareth to Capernaum: Lk 3:23, Mt 4:12-14 (After John's imprisonment, Jesus moved to Galilee)
Joseph, Mary and Jesus had escaped Herod by fleeing to Egypt. After some time, an angel informs Joseph in a dream it was safe to return to the land of Israel. Instead of returning to their home in Judaea, Josph and mary take the child Jesus to Nazareth in Galilee. (Both Herod and his eldest son Antipater were dead, but the surviving next eldest son, Archelaus, governed over Judaea. This was most prudent of Joseph as history tells us now of the cruel and violent character of Archelaus. )
ADAM CLARKE COMMENTARY: Archelaus partook of the cruel and blood-thirsty disposition of his father: at one of the passovers, he caused three thousand of the people to be put to death in the temple and city. For his tyranny and cruelty, Augustus deprived him of the government, and banished him.
e. In the Temple
4. Jesus Christ The Minister
Matthew 20:28 — Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Mark 2:17 — When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
A powerful devotional habit, is to take a few minutes each day and meditate on a particular point in time of Jesus' life. We probably more often give attention to the bigger picture of Jesus' Life, but much powerful insight can be gained from a more granular, patient look at even the so-called minor details of His Life and ministry.
1. Baptism and Anointing of Jesus
References: Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-23; John (none found in John); Acts 10:37, 38
Acts 10:37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Let the Spirit Descend Let the spirit descend like a beautiful dove; As it did on Jesus that day; He was baptized by John in the river of Jordan; And God's voice like thunder said, "This is my Son"
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