A Humble Summary of Jesus’ Life.
Please accept this humble attempt to condense the broad biblical information about Jesus into highlights and concepts to enrich your witness and walk. This summary of Jesus’ Life is grossly inadequate when compared to the Holy Bible itself. It it written with the utmost reverence and humility to amplify your comprehension: While giving all Glory to Jesus, His Kingdom, and Life.
All Images are of the Temple in Capernaum
The name Jesus originates from the Latin form of the Greek name Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous), a translation of the Hebrew Yeshua (ישוע). Jesus (Yeshua) also know as The Christ, Emanuel, and the Messiah, are just a few of the proper names used when referencing to Jesus. The bible uses a prodigious amount of aliases; when used in context, to enhance Jesus’ endeavors for our discernment. For this summary I will predominantly use the name Jesus; The name given to Joseph by an angel of the Lord.
(Matthew 1:20-23) But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
Scriptures teach us a little about Jesus’ life through the four Gospels, (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) written in the latter half of the first century. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and raised in Nazareth. Baby Jesus was divinely conceived by The Holy Spirit to Mary the wife of Joseph – a carpenter from Nazareth.
A couple of books in the bible, Matthew and Luke, tell us that there were forty two generations leading up to Jesus’ divine birth. The enormous amount of patience and love God expresses in waiting on mankind’s history to run its course for forty two generations; Bringing together all the celestial, spiritual, and physical elements boggles my mind. (Matthew 1:1,17) The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations. See also (Luke 3:23-38) which ends in the son of God.
Our Savior is Born!
Joseph was not the only one given prophetic foreknowledge of the birth and name of Jesus by angels. An angel Gabriel also visited Mary and told her that she will bear a child who was conceived by the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:30-31) Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.
There was an ancient prophesy that a new celestial star would appear in the sky when the spiritual King of the Jews was born. Three wise men indeed saw this star in the east and journeyed to Bethlehem to pay tribute, bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh ‘as gifts’ and to worship the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 2:4-11) And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Herod was the King at this time and the announcement that a new King was born angered King Herod. Herod ordered the Massacre of all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem and all its districts. (Matthew 2:16)
This evil attempt orchestrated by Satan to Murder Jesus through King Herod is foiled by an Angel of God. Joseph was divinely instructed a second time in a dream; this time to take Jesus and Mary and flee to Egypt. According to the Book of Matthew, they could only return to their home in Nazareth when they received news of King Herod’s death.
This was also a fulfillment of prophesy stating God would call his son Jesus Christ out of Egypt. This is believed to be a spiritual reflection of when God called and delivered the Jews out of slavery in Egypt. (Exodus 20:2) with the great Exodus story of the Old Testament. (Matthew 2:12-20) Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: “A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.” Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.”
Just as Jesus and the Jews were called out of Egypt. In like kind and manner Jesus is now calling You out of your own kind of bondage, your own spiritual form of Egypt to work out Your own Salvation. Jesus stands at the Door and Knocks, invite Him into your heart for Salvation and Eternal Life in Heaven. (Revelation 3:20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Raising Emmanuel.
Very Little is know about Jesus during His youth. We know that he was born into the family of Joseph and Mary. We know that Jesus had half-brothers and half-sisters named James, Joses (short for Joseph Jr.), Judas, and Simon.
The bible does not give us the names of Jesus’ sisters, but since the word is plural we can safely say there were at least two of them. Women were rarely mentioned in ancient genealogies, in fact Jewish traditions, generally speaking, took no cognizance of women in family records and instead their genealogies were assimilated under the male headship. We also know for a fact that Jesus was raised as a carpenter and as a carpenter’s son. (Mark 6:1-3)Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.
We also know that he Taught and Studied the Priesthood in Jerusalem. As we can see in the above verse some were astonished at the wisdom and works of Jesus. (Luke 2:42-49) And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
Here is some Food For Thought? I am using my own opinion and artistic wordsmith license in putting two and two together equaling there-four since Jesus was raised and trained in both; the Priesthood, and as a Carpenter; is it a far stretch to wonder, if He was employed by Synagogues and Temples to do repairs to the inner sanctions and Holy of Holies where others were not allowed or feared to go. This would be the same as assuming that He worked with His earthly parent Joseph in some form of carpentry work like framing, cabinetry, carving, or Church construction. Maybe I can ask Him when I get to Heaven. Provided I even care once I’m there.
As for the question of Jesus being a priest, He is designated by God the Father as our great high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. This should undoubtedly put an end to all those who think Salvation is attained through Good Deeds or Works. The following verse leaves no room, for any doubts. Jesus Christ is the Author of our Eternal Salvation as our High Priest before God’s judgment. (Hebrews 4:14-5:10). Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” As He also says in another place: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek”; who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”
Concerning Jesus’ childhood the bible is quite intentionally silent. Open only to assumptions, educated hypothesis, or artistic wordsmith’s licensing. I do not feel this to be an omission or oversight on the part of God’s Word. These were the formative years in Jesus’ private life to grow in a loving intimate relationship with His Father God; Gaining wisdom through His Holy Spirit to do the greatest Works in all of History. The only things we truly know for certain are the ones Scriptures deem important for both ours and Jesus’ edification for wisdom and teaching unto Salvation.
Anointed for Messiahship.
Around the age of about twenty nine to thirty Jesus went to the Jordan River to be baptized by his cousin, John the Baptist. This is were Jesus is actually anointed by the Holy Spirit, acknowledged by His Father God, and became the fulfillment of yet another prophesy. (Matthew 3:13-17) Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
John the Baptist was a prophet and preacher who was conducting baptisms according to traditional Jewish practices in and around the Jordan region. John was evangelizing by preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, in preparation for Jesus and His Kingdom to come. (Luke 3:3-6) And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled; And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight; And the rough ways smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
After Jesus’ baptism the Holy Spirit forced him into the wilderness mountains of the Judean desert for 40 days. Take note of this unscrupulous perversion, of truth and bribery from Satan. Also ‘take note’ that it was only after Jesus had fasted for 40 days, without a proper bed, tired, and very hungry; it was then that He was tempted three times by Satan the devil himself. (Matthew 4:1-4) Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
From the sorted nature of these temptations presented to Jesus; the shape, essence, and very meaning of his Messiahship were determined in the wilderness. Just as the Nation of Israel’s fate was determined, shaped, and honed for 40 years in the wilderness Exodus of Old Testament. (Joshua 5:6)
The desert, of course, was John the Baptist’s home, and the place where Moses and Elijah also fasted 40 days and encountered the Lord. The wilderness was also the birthplace of The Ten Commandments of which only Jesus Christ has honored and kept All Ten! (Exodus 24:18; 34:28) So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights. So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. (Deuteronomy 9:9, 18, 25) When I went up into the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant which the Lord made with you, then I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water. And I fell down before the Lord, as at the first, forty days and forty nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all your sin which you committed in doing wickedly in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger. “Thus I prostrated myself before the Lord; forty days and forty nights I kept prostrating myself, because the Lord had said He would destroy you. (1 Kings 19:8). So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.
The wilderness was the proving grounds that qualified Jesus as a sort of ‘Graduation’ into ministry. Through the wilderness and his baptism Jesus is now ready, anointed by the Holy Spirit to start his messianic ministry, and acknowledged by his Father; “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
This sets the stage for the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry at the age of about thirty, after the jailing of His cousin John the Baptist, which lasted about three years. (Matthew 4:12-18) Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
At this point Jesus is completely prepared, graduated, filled with the Holy Spirit, and ready to bring about the fulfillment of his mission on Earth which is to preach, teach, and be the Messiah Savior Crucified for Us. Jesus begins by moving to Capernaum and sets it up as his Galilean ministry headquarters. (Matthew 4:13) And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, (Luke 3:23) Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli.
Recruitment Headquarters is working Miracles!
Jesus chose twelve men as disciples who were a reflection and representation of the twelve tribes of Israel as a dynamic work force in His ministry. (Matthew 19:28) So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Together Jesus and His disciples launched out His new and radical (for the times) ministry. From this Galilean Command Center in Capernaum Jesus traveled to neighboring villages and areas, preaching and teaching the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus performed extraordinary miracles such as: Turning water into wine; (John 2:1-11) Healing the sick; (Luke 6:17) Restoring the dead to life; (John 11:43) Walking on water; (Matthew 14:22-33) Casting demons out of the possessed (Matthew 8:31) and turning a few loaves of bread and fish into enough food to feed multitudes of followers. Crowds of four thousand (Mark 8:6-9) and five thousand (Matthew 14:20-21) men not to mention women and children.
Jesus changed the world through miracles, teachings, sermons, and expressions of Brotherly Love. These things were recorded in scriptures and performed openly in the public eye. Twelve chosen Disciples were the trusted few who were a part of the inner circle of Jesus’ Galilean ministry.
These blessed men knew Jesus in a very personal way which afforded them opportunities to the Hidden things of the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 20:30-31) And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. (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. Amen.
I encourage you to read and learn more about Jesus’ ministry goals, purpose, covenants, and Kingdom. Bringing the true Church Family Together (Israel). Read an in depth teaching call Grafting an Olive Wood Church. Click Here >> << http://somejesusthings.com/grafting-olive-wood-church/
Follow Me.
As Jesus spread the Good News of forgiveness, salvation, grace, and eternal life in Heaven His numbers increased with those who would follow him around. These were to be know as His ‘followers’ who believed in His teachings and promises, given even to the most sinful, provided their repentance was sincere. (Luke 6:17) And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases.
These new Christian Followers helped to escalate the hatred which came from this Jewish sect of Pharisees and Sadducees, (making up the Spiritual Rulers called the Sanhedrin), who feared Jesus’ teachings would lead to a complete disregard in the authority of the Torah and their governing rule.
However, in spite of growing contempt from the Pharisees in opposition, Jesus’ popularity continued to increased. Jesus proved His devotion to the Torah and it’s Laws. The Torah being the Jewish name for the first five books of Old Testament. Translated from the original Hebrew scriptures known as the Pentateuch. Christians observance of Old Testament law encompasses the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. (Exodus 34:28) (Deuteronomy 10:4)
Messianic observance of Old Testament law encompasses and records 613 laws set down by God. (Deuteronomy 33:04) Moses transmitted the “Torah” from God to the Jewish people: “Moses commanded us the Torah (law) as an inheritance for the community of Jacob ” Read an in depth teaching call A Wing and a Prayer. Click Here >> << http://somejesusthings.com/wing-prayer/
Jesus preached a radical and even more stringent observance and application of Jewish laws. Jesus even tells them that He did not come to change the laws, but that He came to fulfill all the Laws. Jesus’ own actions and ministry proved to them that only He could keep and follow them all! This leads to fear and resentment from the Rabbinical Authorities. (Matthew 5:17-19) Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
The Jewish people could relate to his down to earth teachings which applied to their own understanding of life. Jesus taught that God’s commandments and laws could be summed up into two critical commandments centered in practical Judaism.(Romans 13:9-10) These were to be the foundation and rock upon which everything rested. To love God meant to place God first in one’s life by keeping his commandments. Love is: the desire to follow God’s Laws.
Jesus taught something ‘so different’ and ‘radical’ from that of the religious sect of Pharisees and Sadducees which was to not only to love thy neighbor as thyself but love thy enemy, a selfless act of service to everyone; even to those ignored and disregarded by society, and that forgiveness is the ultimate expression of love. (Romans 13:9-10) For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
The Truth Shall Set them Free.
In one of the most famous public addresses preached by Jesus called, “The Sermon on the Mount”, Jesus describes what life should be like; living by and in faith, in our thoughts, words, and actions. Jesus said six times in Matthew Chapters 5, “You have heard it said”, or “But I tell you..” He was calling people into a new life instead of the Sanhedrin’s legal system, that the Pharisees had imposed upon the people. Jesus’ message was directed to all his followers, messianic organizations, and gentiles to respond and accept His message of the New Kingdom and New Covenant.
He taught the rules of the New Kingdom and the New Covenant. These are ethical teachings with a series of requirements governing our personal conduct in relationships with each other, and our relationship with God. Jesus teaches us the eight attitudes. These attitudes most famously referred to as the Beatitudes or Blessings (“Blessed are . . .”) and explain that we are to live differently than the world for Christ’s sake. (Matthew 5:1-12) also the complete chapters six and seven.
Through Jesus’ miracles, teachings, sermons, and expressions of Brotherly Love, His message was understood and received by multitudes of people. Due to overwhelming acceptance Jesus now became a ‘marked’ man, as his followers grew, in turn his enemies grew too.
The Sanhedrin of Jewish Rabbinical Authority in Jerusalem challenged him on specific issues seeking to question him into self incrimination. When all of their attempts failed they decided to get rid of Him out of concern that Jesus’ activities would turn the Jewish people, and Romans against them. The Sanhedrin feared that any disturbance of the peace would lead to Roman intervention and destroy the delicate balance between Jewish and Roman Power. (John 11:48) If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”
Let the Festivals Begin.
According to the Old Testament (Torah), God commanded the Israelites: “Three times a year all your men shall appear before the Lord your God in the place that God will choose on the festivals of Pesah (Passover), Shavuot (the Feast of Weeks), and Sukkot (the Festival of Tabernacles). (Deuteronomy 16:16-17). “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.
We know this to be Jerusalem because every year Jesus and his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. (Luke 2:41-43) His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it;
On the Sunday before Passover, known as Palm Sunday. (John 12:13) Jesus entered Jerusalem. He sent two of His disciples to get a donkey that had never been ridden, on which Jesus would ride through Jerusalem. (Matthew 21:1-6) Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “Tell the daughter of Zion,‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’” So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.
Jesus road an untrained foal of a donkey to fulfill yet another old testament prophesy about Him. Prophesied by the Prophet Zechariah of the coming King our Messiah Savior. (Zechariah 9:9) “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.
The disciples brought the donkey and laid their garments on it and Jesus rode into the city. He was welcomed upon entering the city by crowds singing and rejoicing, following Him to the Temple. Many naturally born Jews accepted Jesus as the Messiah during his lifetime, believing that he was the Messiah who came to Jerusalem in triumph and was glorified as the beloved son of Joseph who descended from King David. Some of these very same believers would latter, share responsibility for Jesus’ cruel Roman execution of crucifixion. In fact, in less then a week that very same crowd would be demanded His crucifixion death on the cross.
The Beginning of The End.
That week before the Jewish Passover Holiday Jerusalem was full of Jewish pilgrims, who traveled from all over to visit the city and the temple. Jesus rode that donkey directly to the Temple. The temple had been turned into a unhallowed parody. This Holy Temple had become a major marketplace, kind of like a farmers market or mall of booth’s operating in the Temple. The Sanhedrin had been letting the money changers and merchants conduct business in the outer court. Jesus came to pass judgment and cleanse His Fathers House of Iniquity. (Judges 5:10) “Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, Who sit in judges’ attire, And who walk along the road.
Jesus Cleanses the Temple and prophesied the same Temple’s fall. (Mark 11:15-19) So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ” And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. When evening had come, He went out of the city.
(Mark 13:1-2) Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
On Friday, during Passover supper Jesus celebrated a farewell meal with his disciples, this meal is commonly know as The Last Supper. In the course of the meal Jesus spoke of his looming betrayal and impending death as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. The last supper is where communion services became institutionalized by Jesus. Jesus compared his body and blood to bread and fruit of the vine.
While they ate Jesus exposes an evil in their presence, a traitor in their midst. Jesus says, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.”(Matthew 26:23-25)
In the End: Jesus reassures His Disciples of His coming Kingdom of God. Jesus prophesies to them that they would on day be together again. Jesus says, “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” They sing a Hymn and go out to the Mount of Olives. (Matthew 26:17-30)
Six trials of Christ.
Later this same Friday evening, the traitor Judas with temple police, and Roman soldiers arrested Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. (John 18:3-4) (Matthew 26:47-50). Jesus was taken to a meeting of the supreme council of Jewish Sanhedrin. You see, the Jews did not try him for treason, they found him guilty of blasphemy. But they twisted the accusation when they came before the Romans turning it into fictitious treason. Their reasoning behind the lie is because, in Rome, death is instantaneous for those guilty of treason. This is how Jesus came to be crucified for treason instead of being stoned to death for blasphemy. They got the Romans to do their dirty work!
Contrary to popular opinion, there wasn’t one single trial for Jesus, there were six! They were not all Jewish trials, half were Jewish and half Roman. First there was Annas (John 18:12-14) Then there was Caiaphas (Matthew 26:57) , evolving a body of men making up the Sanhedrin. Thirdly, there was another by the ‘official’ band called the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:59-60).
The first three were Jewish trials. The whole question of treason wasn’t even mentioned. The Sanhedrin pushes the issue even further to trial number Four with Jesus first interrogation in front of Pontius Pilate the governor (John 18:28-29). This is where their lie developed, they officially accused Jesus of fictitious treason since they were before the mighty Roman Civil Court.
Trial number Five, which was really a joke and mockery of Jesus. They were trying to get Jesus to do some parlor tricks in front of Herod Antipas (the same man who had previously ordered the death of His cousin, John the Baptist) (Luke 23:7). Disappointed because Jesus would not do any tricks, Antipas sends him back to Pilate.
Jesus finally returns back to Pilate the second time, for His Sixth and Final Trial. Partly because of Rome and pressure from his wife (Matthew 27:19), Pilate let the Jews have their way, and passed the death sentence to Jesus. Pilate and his wife were never truly convinced of Jesus’ guilt. This sixth trial before Pilate was the only half-way fair trial that Jesus received. (Luke 23:23-25)
These six trials of Jesus were railroaded through in a great hurry, because of the passover and happened in a matter of a few hours. It was here at the sixth trial, Innocent Jesus was condemned to death as a blasphemous treasonous fake Messiah. Pilate unable to find fault and caving in under the pressure from the crowds; ultimately left the decision to the Jewish people, and they insisted on Jesus’ death. Jesus was executed that same Friday evening by crucifixion with two other criminals who were thieves. (Mark 15:27) They crucified also with him two thieves, the one on the right hand, and the other on his left.
Crucify Him!
When it was evening refers to the period from 3:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M., this is the period the Jews considered to be the end of the day and the beginning of the evening. It was “about the ninth hour,” or 3:00 P.M., that Jesus spoke His last words from the cross and “yielded up His spirit”
Jesus had seven things to say while suffering unto death for your salvation. This was a pivotal point in time, Jesus literally did not have any time left to waste His breath! Take some time in prayer and let Him reveal to you on a personal level; The deep meaning and pure love in those precious last words. His Words ring out from His tortured and bloody body, from the Cross, Forever. Words to pierce into all those mortally lost and wounded souls.
Jesus’ own dying words are an astonishing summary of His Messiah life. Words spoken with pure humility and unconditional love.
Then said Jesus, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)
And Jesus said unto him, “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, “Woman, behold thy son!” Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (John 19:26–27)
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”(Matthew 27:46)
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, “I thirst”. (John 19:28)
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.(John 19:30)
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit:” and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. (Luke 23:46)
There were two important reasons it was compulsory that Jesus die several hours before the end of the day. The first was because the Sabbath began at six o’clock that day. Jesus had to be taken down, removed from the cross before six o’clock, and prepared for burial. This was imperative in order not to be sacrilegious or irreverent to Sabbath. (Luke 23:54-56) That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
According to Jewish law those who were crucified; Their bodies could not be left hanging on its cross overnight. (Deuteronomy 21:22–23) “If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.
The second reason Jesus had to be buried before the end of that day, Friday, was in order to be in the earth at least a part of three separate days before His resurrection, as Jesus Himself declared He would be (Matthew 12:40). For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Later in that same Friday evening before sunset, his body was taken down and buried in a borrowed tomb. All the disciples and followers were scared. Everyone’s lives were in danger who were associated or connected to Jesus in any manner. So, A rich man and a secret disciple of Jesus; Joseph of Arimathea mustered enough courage together to convinced Pilate to let him have Jesus’ body and put it in his own tomb. Joseph was a trusted member of the Sanhedrin Council and not suspected of being a follower of Jesus. (Matthew 27:57-60) Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. (Mark 15:43) Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
Having Joseph take Jesus’ body served two purposes. One was that the Romans were not suspicious of one of the council members hiding Jesus’ body. The Romans knew of the rumors about Jesus saying He would be resurrected and they could post some guards to keep watch. (Matthew 27:66) So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.
The Second purpose was that it fulfilled yet another prophesy that Jesus died with wicked men, for he died between two thieves, as if he himself had been one, and Jesus was buried in a rich man’s grave the sepulcher of Joseph of Arimathaea, a rich man. (Isaiah 53:9) And they made His grave with the wicked – But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.
He is Risen!
Three days after Jesus Christ’s horrific crucifixion. Jesus arose from the dead; Jesus was seen by his half brother James, the twelve apostles on two occasions, even 500 people at the same time. John records some of these sightings of the Resurrected Jesus in First Corinthians. (1 Corinthians 15:3-9) For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Most people are under the impression that upon Jesus’ resurrection, He immediately ascended to Heaven. Jesus now shed of His mortal constraints proves His Love; by yet, suffering more and sticking around with mortal man. Jesus takes the time to provide even more rock solid proof to mankind, by letting us witness His Glorified Body as the Eternal Living Messiah. Jesus shows us His endless patience and love when He could just as easily be back in Heaven. Jesus did not ascend to Heaven until a full 40 days after he rose from the dead. (Acts 1:3) to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
All who believe in Jesus’ life teachings, death, burial, and resurrection are left with the hope of His return to usher in the new or restored messianic Kingdom of God. The new Israel made up of both Jew and Gentile into one true Church. (Galatians 3:29) (Romans 11:16–36) (Genesis 12:1–3)
You Must Choose. What Say You?
The Apostle Paul, one of the earliest wordsmiths for the Lord, and Jewish by birth, was instrumental in introducing Jesus to the Gentiles creating the religion we now know as Christianity. Christianity simply stated is the belief that Jesus is the Messiah, The word Christ was a Greek translation of the Hebrew word Mashiach – The Anointed One for salvation and redemption for us all. (Galatians 3:28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Acts 11:26) And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. (Acts 26:28) Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
This leads us to the ongoing chapter in the life of Jesus the Christ, named Emmanuel which means God with us. (Matthew 1:23) Since Jesus is still with us and still the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8) You will one day die. Therefore, You will one day meet Jesus.
Satan has deceived the world into thinking there is plenty of time to waist. Procrastination is a dangerous decision when dealing with your salvation. Decide now to believe in Jesus. Life is precious and all to short. Make no mistake your body is mortal, but your soul will live forever. (Matthew 25:46) And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Jesus said, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (Matthew 24:36) Jesus promises a surprise return, “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2)
We do not how much time remains in our lives, bad health, accidents, war, severe weather, and random acts of violence are all too common in the world today. These are not meant as scare tactics, because in the world today these are commonplace realities. Satan has desensitized the world to the fact that these things are happening more and more frequently on a global scale.
Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:12-13)
Make your decision while you still have Time! The question is… Will he be your Savior, Friend, and Lord or your ONE WAY ticket to Hell Forever?
There is a real Heaven and a real Hell. Like it or not everyone must make a choice to believe in Jesus before death. Everyone’s soul will live on forever, the choice is where will your soul’s permanent home be. Heaven or Hell? For your opportunity to meet Jesus today while you are alive and reading this. Please Click >> << http://somejesusthings.com/get-jesus/
If you are in a hurry Pray Now! “Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I trust and believe that You are my Lord, God, and Savior. Guide my life and teach me to do Your will. In Your name ‘Jesus’ I pray, Amen.”
Share your Love of Jesus and be a blessing to others ! Tell the world, Leave a quick pen comment about the day “You” met Jesus!
