><>...JESUS THE CHRIST...><>
A little history and background... (For those who sincerely care)...of the most beloved by many,and unfortunately as well,the most hated, also by many,...man this world has even known. In any case, whatever your feelings about Him this is for sure.......HE IS!!
Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world!!
A. Early Years. We know of five events in the childhood of Jesus. First, in accordance with Jewish Law, He was circumcised and named on the eighth day (Luke 2:21). It is significant that the sinless son of God would undergo this rite binding Him to obedience under the divine covenant and identifying Him with God's people.
Second, Jesus was presented at the temple to seal the circumcision. He was also “redeemed” by the payment of the presented five shekels. For her purification, Mary gave the offering of the poor (cf. Lev. 12:8; Luke 2:24). The mission of Jesus was attested at this time by two godly individuals, Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25–38).
Third, sometime later a group of “wise men” (perhaps Babylonian priests and astrologers) appeared in Jerusalem, inquiring about the birth of a “King of the Jews.” They had seen His star in the sky (Matt. 2:2). Ruthless Herod was immediately alarmed. Having learned from the scribes where prophecy said the Messiah was to be born, he sent the wise men to Bethlehem, asking them to return if they found the Messiah there. Herod claimed that he, too, wanted to worship Him. Actually, he wanted to locate the Christ child so he could remove yet another rival. However, an angel told the wise men not to go back to Herod. Before they arrived in Bethlehem the star reappeared and stood over the place Jesus and His parents now lived (Matt. 2:9).
Fourth, after the departure of the wise men, God directed Joseph to flee to Egypt with his family (Matt. 2:13–15). Herod had ordered the execution of all infants aged two and younger who lived in and around Bethlehem. Soon Herod died and God instructed Joseph to return to Nazareth.
The fifth event was Jesus' trip with his parents to the temple when He was 12 years old (Luke 2:41–52). There at the Passover He probably was inducted into the court of the men by being presented to the religious leaders. Unlike His peers, Jesus returned to the temple and continued discussion with the religious teachers (rabbis). He was so engrossed that He did not know His family had departed for home. Amid the confusion of the large group of people with whom they had traveled, His parents were not immediately aware of His absence. When they discovered He was not with them, they returned to Jerusalem and found Him in the temple. When they asked Jesus why He had remained behind, He told them that this was His Father's house and He was about His Father's business.
Scripture says that as a youth Jesus “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52).
John the Baptist, Elizabeth's son and Jesus' cousin, was to prepare the way for the ministry of Jesus. He was known as the “Baptist” because he preached to his fellows that they should repent and be baptized. Although John cannot easily be identified with any of the Jewish sects, his role as a prophet is clear (Luke 7:24–28). When Jesus was about 30, He went to John to be baptized. However, He repented of no sin, for He had none. He identified with sinners in order to be their sin-bearer. When Jesus came up from the water, the Holy Spirit visibly descended upon Him in the form of a dove. At least Jesus and John (and perhaps the onlookers as well) heard the voice of God stating His approval of Jesus (Matt. 3:13–17); Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22; John 1:32–33).
The Holy Spirit at once led Jesus into the wilderness to face temptation by the devil (Matt. 4:1–11; Mark 1:12–13; Luke 4:1–13). Jesus was alone with His Father and the Holy Spirit while He fasted. But the devil was also there, tempting Him to
(1) satisfy His own hunger, thereby demonstrating distrust of the Father,
(2) seize dominion of the world before the Father gave it to Him, and (3) test God to see if He would save Jesus from self-indulged danger, thereby indulging His own self-will.
James I. Packer, Merrill C. Tenney and William White, Jr., editors, Nelson's illustrated manners and customs of the Bible .
To be continued.
Have a blessed evening
Shalom...><> |
