><>...JESUS THE CHRIST...><>
B. Early Judean Ministry. Only the Gospel of John describes this period of Jesus' life. John first recounts the relationship between Christ and John the Baptist. John the Baptist told delegates from the highest religious authorities that he was not the Messiah, though indicating that the Messiah was present (John 1:19–27). The next day, seeing Jesus approaching he pointed Him out as the Messiah (John 1:30–34). He said, “Behold the Lamb of God ...,” implying that his own disciples should follow Jesus (John 1:35–37).
Jesus began to gather disciples to Himself (John 1:38–51). As a result of John the Baptist's testimony, John and Andrew turned to Him. Peter became a follower as a result of his brother's testimony. The fourth follower, Philip, immediately obeyed Jesus' summons to him. Philip brought Nathanael (Bartholomew) to Christ, and when Christ demonstrated that He knew Nathanael's inner thoughts, he also joined the band.
Jesus soon journeyed to Galilee. At a wedding feast in Cana, He turned water into wine (the first recorded miracle). This act revealed to the disciples His authority over nature. After a brief ministry in Capernaum, Jesus and His followers went to Jerusalem for the Passover. There He publicly declared His authority over the worship of men by cleansing the temple. At this time Jesus first hinted at His own death and resurrection: “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up again” (John 2:19).
One of the Jewish leaders, a Pharisee named Nicodemus, came to Jesus by night to talk with Him about spiritual matters. Their well-known conversation focused on the necessity of being “born again” (John 3).
The next six months find Jesus ministering outside Jerusalem, but still in Judea where John the Baptist was also working. Gradually people began to leave John and follow Jesus. This bothered the Baptist's disciples, but not John himself; he no doubt rejoiced to see the Messiah gaining attention (John 3:27–30).
Toward the end of this six months the Baptist was thrown into prison because he denounced Herod Antipas for taking the wife of his brother Philip (Matt. 14:3–5).
Perhaps John's imprisonment prompted Jesus to go to Galilee to minister. At any rate, He went there. On the way He talked with a Samaritan woman He met at a well. Apparently this woman and some of her countrymen accepted Him as the true Messiah and Savior—a most remarkable thing (John 4:1–42).
James I. Packer, Merrill C. Tenney and William White, Jr., editors, Nelson's illustrated manners and customs of the Bible
To be continued |
