Encountering Jesus
For over 1,500 years, God spoke through the Old Testament prophets and writers. Woven through the history of men of old and the poetry of kings and unknown authors is the scarlet thread of God’s love for a nation (Israel) and a world that rejected him. At the center of this most incredible story is Jesus Christ. As the world would soon learn, He is more than just a man, He is the one and only begotten Son of God.
His Birth
Jesus was born of humble means that were only a precursor to His life on earth. While the Jews of Palestine were looking for a mighty king who would rival Judas Maccabes as a warrior and emancipator of the Jewish people, Jesus was born in poverty in a stable in the small village of Bethlehem. While the Jews missed His arrival, the heavens could not be silent! Angels broke out in praise singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased.” (Luke 2:14) Even magi from the east followed a star to Judea to worship the new “King of the Jews.” (Matt. 2:2)
His Baptism
When He had grown to adulthood, and the time had come for Him to begin his public ministry, Jesus first submitted Himself to be baptized. Near the Jordan River, John the Baptist was preaching telling people to “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 3:2) John the Baptist had earned a reputation as a hard preacher, and his words had offended many of the religious leaders. One day, as John was baptizing in the river, he saw Jesus approaching and he proclaimed: “behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Jesus went down into the water to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answering said to him, ‘Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he permitted Him. After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.’” (Matt 3:14-17)
His Temptation
Now, there was an enemy that sought to destroy Jesus. Going back to the time of the curse in the Garden of Eden, Satan had tried to defeat God’s redemptive plan. He was ruthless and spared no one in his diabolical attacks. Shortly after His baptism, Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit of God. There He stayed and fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. He became very hungry. (Matt. 3:2) It was here, in this deserted, forlorn place that Satan appeared and tried once again to defeat or destroy the Lord Jesus. Satan tempted Jesus with physical food, power, and earthly dominion, but in each case Jesus answered with the Word of God. (Matt. 3:3-11) The devil soon left Him and angels came and ministered to Him.
The Transfiguration
Jesus gathered around Himself many disciples, men whom He trained and equipped to carry on His mission after His departure. Three of these disciples were especially close to Him: Peter, James and John. One day Jesus led them up a mountain where they were alone. This was not uncommon; Jesus often would depart for times of solitude with His Heavenly Father and to be with His disciples. Suddenly, Jesus was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun and His clothing became as white as light. And then the three disciples saw something unbelievable—Moses and Elijah were there with Jesus talking to Him! Peter couldn’t believe his eyes. He was filled with joy and enthusiasm and immediately shouted out, “Lord, it is good for us to be here!” He offered to build three tents, one for the Lord Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah, but while he was speaking, the sky opened up and a cloud filled the air above them. A voice spoke from the cloud and said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!” When Peter, James and John heard this they fell with their faces to the ground and were terrified. When Jesus came over and touched them, He said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” They looked around and Jesus was all alone. As they walked back down the mountain, Jesus cautioned them, “tell no one about what you have seen until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.” (Matt. 17:1-13)
His Teaching/Healing Ministry
When Jesus began His public ministry, He began by teaching the people in the synagogues and in the countryside. He taught in the power of the Spirit and the people were amazed. They even remarked, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:22) His teaching challenged tradition, however, and to the Jews of Palestine, Law and Tradition were equal to God. They viewed His teachings as blasphemous and early on the Jewish leaders began to conspire against Him and plot His death. The crowds were drawn to Jesus, and continued to grow. Many of His teachings were simple, yet sometimes He spoke in parables so that even His closest disciples did not understand.
Jesus also performed many miracles during his ministry. He healed the sick and made the lame walk, He cast out demons and brought forgiveness even to the outcasts of society. His most spectacular miracle, however, was performed in the small village of Bethany, when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. (John 11) Many believed in Jesus following this incredible miracle, but it also caused the Jewish leaders to strengthen their resolve to kill Jesus. Yet the raising of Lazarus demonstrated that even death is no match for the Son of God; He would soon demonstrate this with an even more spectacular miracle—His own resurrection!
His Crucifixion
The plot to kill Jesus was launched as Passover approached. The Jewish leaders had schemed and plotted and brought all of the necessary elements together to convict Jesus. With angry mobs shouting for his crucifixion, Jesus stood trial first before priests, including Caiaphas the high priest, and then before the Roman Governor Pilate. In spite of his reservations, Pilate agreed to crucify Jesus. He was beaten and scourged and led to the place called The Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. Here the only begotton Son of God was nailed to a cross and He died.
His Resurrection
While many of His disciples scattered following the death of Jesus, Mary Magdalene remained faithful, and returned to His grave on Sunday morning following his crucifixion. To her shock, she found an empty tomb. She ran to Peter and John and told them someone had stolen the Lord’s body. Together they ran to the tomb and confirmed that the tomb was empty. Not knowing what to do, they returned home. Mary stood by the tomb and wept when suddenly she saw two angels standing where the body of Jesus had been lying. Then, another man appeared and asked her why she was crying. When He said, “Mary,” she suddenly recognized Him as Jesus. He was alive! Jesus instructed her to go to the others and tell them.
His Ascension
Jesus walked on the earth for 40 days following His resurrection in which countless people witnessed His resurrection and believed in Him. Then He gathered His disciples together and in their presence, Jesus ascended into the clouds until He was out of their sight. As they stood there looking into the sky, two angels appeared to them and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
A Portrait of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew
Jesus is portrayed as the long prophesied Jewish Messiah, the King of the Jews.
Supporting Scriptural References:
A. The genealogy of Jesus starting with Abraham through David (Matt. 1:1-17)
B. Jesus born the King of the Jews (Matt. 2:2)
C. Jesus triumphal entry (Matt. 21:1-11)
Significant Teachings and/or Events Concerning Jesus:
A. The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 3:13-4:11)
B. The Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24)
C. The Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20)
A Portrait of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark
Jesus is presented as the Servant who came to “give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
Supporting Scriptural References:
A. Jesus is rejected in his home town of Nazareth (Mark 6:1-6)
B. Jesus teaching on servanthood (Mark 9:33-41)
C. Jesus instructs on greatness (Mark 10:35-45)
Significant Teachings and/or Events Concerning Jesus:
A. Five Thousand are Fed (Mark 6:32-44)
B. The Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-13)
C. The Temple is Cleansed (Mark 11:15-19)
A Portrait of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke
Jesus is portrayed as the perfect Son of Man who came “to seek and to save that which was lost.
Supporting Scriptural References:
A. The genealogy of Jesus beginning with Adam (Luke 3:23-38)
B. The Son of Man’s Mission (Luke 19:10)
C. Three parables on the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son (Luke 15)
Significant Teachings and/or Events Concerning Jesus:
A. Jesus’ birth is foretold (Luke 1:26-56)
B. Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-20)
C. The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Luke 23:26-49)
A Portrait of Jesus in the Gospel of John
Jesus is portrayed as the one and only Son of God.
Supporting Scriptural References:
A. The Word was God, but the Word became flesh (John 1:1, 14)
B. The Seven “I Am” Statements:
· I am the bread of life (John 6:35, 48)
· I am the light of the world (John 8:12, 9:5)
· I am the door (John 10:7,9)
· I am the good shepherd (John 10:11, 14)
· I am the resurrection, and the life (John 11:25)
· I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)
· I am the true vine (John 15:1-5)
C. The purpose for the gospel (John 20:30-31)
Significant Teachings and/or Events Concerning Jesus:
A. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44)
B. Jesus’ high priestly prayer (John 17)
C. The resurrection and appearances of Jesus Christ (John 20-21)
Parallel Passages found in the Synoptic Gospels
The Healing of a Leper
Matt. 8:1-5; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16
Jesus came across a man covered in leprosy, and when the leper saw Jesus he fell on his face and asked to make him clean, if Jesus was willing. Jesus replied that he was willing, and the leper was healed. Jesus told him to go and show himself to the priest and make an offering, but to tell no one.
The Healing of the Paralytic
Matt. 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26
A paralytic man was brought to Jesus by some friends. So determined were his friends, that when they could not get to Jesus because of the crowds, they carried the paralytic to the roof, cut a hole in the roof and lowered him to Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus healed the paralytic and he walked out carrying his mat and praising God.
The Healing of the Man with the Withered Hand
Matt. 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11
On the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and there was a man with a withered hand. In front of the Pharisees, Jesus healed the man’s hand on the Sabbath. The Pharisees will filled with rage and began to discuss what they might do with Jesus.
Jesus Heals the Multitudes
Matt. 12:15—21; Mark 3:7-12; Luke 6:17-19
A large crowd of people gathered around Jesus. They had come to hear him teach and to be healed. As Jesus passed through the crowd, those touched Jesus were healed.
The Parable of the Sower
Matt. 13:1-9; Mark 4:1-9; Luke 8:4-8
Jesus drew a comparison between the Word of God and the seed thrown by a sower. In his parable, some seed falls on hard ground, some falls on rocky ground, some falls among the thorns, and some falls on good soil. Jesus explained that while all men may hear the Word of God, not all will understand. As in the parable, some men are hardened, some are like rocky ground, some have thorns in their life, and some are like the good soil, and when they hear the Word of God, it takes root and gives fruit.
The Feeding of the Five Thousand
Matt. 4:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17
A large crowd had gathered in the countryside to hear Jesus teach. As the day was ending, the disciples were eager for the crowd to go on their way, but Jesus was determined to feed them. With only the small lunch of a boy (five loaves of bread and two fish), Jesus fed about 5,000 men.
The Transfiguration
Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36
Jesus took his three closest disciples--Peter, James, and John—and went on a mountain to pray. While they were there, Jesus’ appearance changed and his face and clothing became white and gleaming. The disciples could see Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah and then the clouds opened and the voice of God said, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”
The Healing of the Boy with a Spirit
Matt. 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43
A father approached Jesus and asked him to heal his son, who was controlled by an unclean spirit. The father explained that he had asked the disciples, but they were unable to. Disgusted with his disciples’ lack of faith, Jesus commanded the man to bring his son to him. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and the boy was healed.
The Healing of Bartimaeus
Matt. 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43
As Jesus was on his way to Jericho, a blind man began calling for him: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” His persistence caught Jesus’ attention and Jesus went over to him and told him, “Your faith has made you well.” The blind man was healed and he could see.
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
Matt. 20:33-46; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19
Jesus tells a powerful parable about a man who owns a vineyard and rents it out to some tenants then leaves on a journey. At harvest time the owner sends a slave to collect some of the fruit as payment, but the tenants beat the slave. After send two more slaves, both of whom are beaten and returned empty-handed, the owner finally sends his son. But when the tenants see the son, they resent him kill him.
Jesus in the Gospel of John
The Prologue (John 1:1-18)
I. Jesus is the Word (1:1-3)
II. Jesus is the Light (1:4-13)
III. The Word became Flesh (1:14)
IV. The Word revealed God (1:18)
The First Week of Jesus’ Ministry:
1. John the Baptist announces Jesus and testifies of him (1:29-36)
2. Jesus calls his disciples (1:37-51)
3. Wedding at Cana; Jesus turns water into wine. (2:1-12)
The Seven Signs of Jesus’ Deity in John:
4. Jesus changes the water into wine (John 2:1-10)
5. Jesus heals the nobleman’s son (John 4:46-50)
6. Jesus heals the paralytic man (John 5:1-9)
7. Jesus feeds the five thousand (John 6:1-14)
8. Jesus walks on the water (John 6:15-21)
9. Jesus heals the blind man (John 9:1-41)
10. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44)
Discourses
1. Jesus cleanses the temple during Passover (John 2:13–22)
2. Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus (John 2:23–3:36)
3. Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well (John 4:1–45)
4. Jesus feeds the five thousand (John 6)
5. Jesus teaches at the Feast of Tabernacles in the temple (John 7)
6. Jesus forgives the woman found in adultery (John 8)
7. The Good Shepherd Discourse (John 10)
8. The Upper Room Discourse (John 13–17)