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Jesus of Nazareth

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• Jesus of Nazareth

1. Promises and Prophecies Relating to Him . The promises and prophecies relating to the Messiah are numerous:
   1. the intimation that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head (Genesis 3:14,15; Romans 16:20 );
   2. the promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 26:1-5; Genesis 28:10-15; Galatians 3:16; Hebrews 11:8,9 );
   3. the prediction of Jacob (Genesis 49:1,8-10; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 5:15 );
   4. the prophecy of Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15,18; Acts 3:22 );
   5. David's prediction of his resurrection (Psalm 16:8-11; Acts 2:25-28 ) and triumph (Psalm 110:1-4; Acts 2:34,35 );
   6. Isaiah predicted that he would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25 ), the greatness of his kingdom (Isaiah 9:6,7; Luke 1:32,33 ), his humiliation and sufferings (Isaiah 53:1-10; Acts 8:30-33 ), and his proclamation of the acceptable year of the Lord (Isaiah 51:14; Luke 4:14-21 );
   7. the prediction of his birth place (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6 );
   8. the prediction of his betrayal (Zechariah 11:10-14; Matthew 27:3-10 ).

2. His Ancestry . Jesus, according to the flesh, was the son of David (1 Kings 8:24,25; 1 Kings 11:11-13; Psalm 132:11; Matthew 1:1-17; Acts 2:25-30 ).

3. His birth . Jesus was born of the virgin Mary in the city of Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-28 ).

4. Early Life . On account of the decree of Herod, Joseph took the Young child and his mother and fled into Egypt, where they remained Until Archelaus succeeded his father, after which they returned to Nazareth and resided there (Matthew 2:1-23 ). Nothing is recorded of Him until He was twelve years old, when he was able to confound the doctors Of the law by His wisdom (Luke 2:40-51 ). Joseph was a carpenter, and Jesus learned the trade and followed it in the city of Nazareth (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; Luke 2:39 ).

5. His Baptism . Jesus came from Nazareth to Jordan and was baptized By John, and as he came up out of the water, His Father acknowledged Him, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him (Matthew 3:13-17 ).

6. The Temptation and Triumph . Immediately after His baptism He was Led away into the wilderness and tempted by the devil. He was tempted "In all points" (Hebrews 4:15 )--the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life (1 John 2:16 )--but He signally triumphed in every particular (Genesis 3:6; Matthew 3:1-11 ).

7. Introduction to Israel . Jesus was subsequently introduced to Israel by John, His forerunner (John 1:29-36 ).

8. Public Ministry . He immediately entered upon his Public ministry. His work was twofold:
   1. He administered to the needs of both mind (Matthew 4:17 ) and body (Matthew 14:13-21 ).
   2. He announced that the kingdom of God was at hand (Matthew 4:17 ), and that he was only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 15:24 ).

9. Manner of Teaching . He taught the multitude by parables in order To hide from them His true mission until the time ordained by His Father (Matthew 13:33-35 ).

10. The Parables . Parables of Jesus stand unapproachable and Unapproached in the history of man. There are thirty-one of them {*}, And they are divided into three classes:
    1. Those which relate to His Kingdom, its growth, characteristics and triumphs. The Sower (Matthew 13:1,2; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:1-18 ); The Wheat and the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30 ); The Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31,32; Mark 4:31,32 ); The Seed Planted in the Ground (Mark 4:26-29 ); The Leaven (Matthew 13:33 ); The Concealed Treasure (Matthew 13:44 ); The Pearl of Great Value (Matthew 13:47-50 ); The Casting of the Net into the Sea (Matthew 13:47-50 ).
    2. Those which relate primarily to the lives of men, which were given in answer to inquiries: The Two Debtors (Luke 7:40-43 ); The Merciless Servant (Matthew 18:23-35 ); The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37 ); The Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-13 ); The Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21 ); The Wedding Feast (Luke 12:36-38 ); The Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9 ); The Great Supper (Luke 14:16-24 ); The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32 ); The Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-12 ); The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31 ); The Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-17 ); The Pharisee and the Publican (Luke 18:9-14 ); The Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16 ).
    3. Those which are prophetic in character and find their fulfillment in the rejection of Israel and ultimately in the second coming of the Lord: The Pounds (Luke 19:11-27 ); The Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32 ); The Vineyard Let Out to Husbandmen (Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12 Luke 20:9-18 ); The Marriage Feast (Matthew 22:1-13 ); The Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13 ); The Talents (Matthew 25:14-30 ); The Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46 ).

    {*} While Johnson states that there are thirty-one parables, he lists only twenty-nine.

11. Discourses . The principal discourses of Jesus were,
    1. His conversation with Nicodemus (John 3:1-15 );
    2. His conversation with the woman of Samaria at Jacob's well (John 4:1-26 );
    3. His address in the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:16-30 );
    4. the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5:1-7:29 );
    5. charge of the apostles (Matthew 10:1-42 );
    6. He pronounced the doom on Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum (Matthew 11:20-24 );
    7. discourse after healing the infirm man at Bethesda (John 5:1-47 );
    8. He defended His disciples after they plucked the corn on the sabbath day (Matthew 12:1-19 );
    9. He defended Himself when the Pharisees accused Him of being in collusion with Baalzebub, the prince of devils, announcing to them that attributing His works to this source was a sin against the Holy Spirit that would never be forgiven (Matthew 12:23-32; Mark 3:22-30 );
    10. the discourse on the Bread of life (John 6:25-61 );
    11. He discussed internal purity (Matthew 15:1-20 );
    12. He emphasized the necessity to forgive injuries (Matthew 18:21-35 );
    13. the discourse at the feast of tabernacles (John 7:1-44 );
    14. He condemned the accusers of the woman who was taken in adultery (John 8:1-11 );
    15. He declared himself to be the shepherd of the sheep (John 10:1-42 );
    16. He denounced his contemporaries for their wickedness (Luke 11:29-36 );
    17. He discussed humility (Luke 14:7-14 );
    18. He marked out the way to everlasting life (Matthew 19:27-30 );
    19. He predicted his sufferings (Matthew 19:17-19 );
    20. He denounced the Pharisees with great severity (Matthew 23:1-36 );
    21. He foretold the destruction of Jerusalem (Matthew 24:1-35 );
    22. His words of comfort to his disciples (John 14:1-16:33 );
    23. His wonderful prayer (John 17:1-26 );
    24. His remarks on the way to Gethsemane (Matthew 26:31-36 )
    25. and the last and great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20 ).

12. His Miracles . The miracles performed by Jesus were,
    1. He changed the water into wine (John 2:1-11 );
    2. He cured the nobleman's son (John 4:46,47 );
    3. the great draught of fishes (Luke 5:1-11 );
    4. He cast out an unclean spirit (Mark 1:23-28 );
    5. He cured Peter's mother-in-law of a fever (Mark 1:30,31 );
    6. He healed a leper (Mark 1:40-45 );
    7. He healed the servant of the centurion (Matthew 8:5-13 );
    8. He raised the widow's son from the dead (Luke 7:11-18 );
    9. He stilled the storm (Matthew 8:23-27 );
    10. He cured two demoniacs (Matthew 8:28-34 );
    11. He cured a man of palsy (Matthew 9:1-8 );
    12. He raised the ruler's daughter from the dead (Matthew 9:18-26 );
    13. He cured a woman of an issue of blood (Luke 8:43-48 );
    14. He opened the eyes of two blind men (Matthew 9:27-31 );
    15. He loosened the tongue of a dumb man (Matthew 9:32,33 );
    16. He healed an impotent man at Bethesda (John 5:1-9 );
    17. He restored a withered hand (Matthew 12:10-13 );
    18. He cured a man who was possessed of a devil (Matthew 12:22 );
    19. He fed five thousand people (Matthew 14:15-21 );
    20. He healed a woman of Canaan (Matthew 15:22-28 );
    21. He cured a deaf and dumb man (Mark 7:31-37 );
    22. He fed four thousand people (Matthew 15:32-39 );
    23. He opened the eyes of a blind man (Mark 8:22-26 );
    24. He cured a boy who was vexed with a devil (Matthew 17:14-21 );
    25. He opened the eyes of a man born blind (John 11:1-38 );
    26. He cured a woman who had been afflicted eighteen years (Luke 17:11-17 );
    27. He cured a man of dropsy (Luke 14:1-4 );
    28. He cleansed ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19 );
    29. He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-46 );
    30. He opened the eyes of two blind men (Matthew 20:30-34 );
    31. He caused the fig tree to wither (Matthew 21:18-22 );
    32. He restored the ear of the high priest's servant (Luke 22:50,51 );
    33. the second great draught of fishes (John 21:1-14 ).

13. His Poverty . Jesus never owned any of the good of this world-- Not even a place to lay his head (Matthew 8:20; 2 Corinthians 8:19 ).

14. His Unselfishness . Jesus came not to be ministered unto, but to Help the needy (Matthew 18:11; Matthew 21:28 ).

15. His Glorious Invitation . He invites all the suffering and Sorrowing sons and daughters of earth to come to Him for life and Rest (Matthew 11:28-30; John 10:10; Hebrews 2:9; Revelation 22:17 ).

16. The Holy Spirit Promised . Jesus promised the Apostles the Holy Spirit, assuring them that He would,
    1. comfort them;
    2. dwell in them (John 14:16,17 );
    3. teach them all things;
    4. bring all his teachings to their remembrance (John 14:26 );
    5. testify of Jesus (John 15:26,27 );
    6. convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:7-11 );
    7. and speak through them (Matthew 10:15-20 ).

17. The Last Supper . On the night of his betrayal, Jesus instituted A supper to be kept in memory of him--his death and sufferings (Matthew 26:26-30 ). It was designed,
    1. to keep Him enshrined in the hearts of His disciples to the end of time;
    2. to proclaim His death until he comes again (1 Corinthians 11:23-29 ).

18. Agony in the Garden . After the supper Jesus went to the garden Of Gethsemane where, under the mighty weight of the world's sins, He Cried to His Father to let the cup of sorrow and suffering pass, but Expressed his willingness to submit to the terrible ordeal (Luke 22:39-46 ).

19. Betrayal . Jesus was betrayed by one of His Apostles, Judas Iscariot (Luke 22:47,48 ).

20. His Trial . The trial of Jesus was the most consummate farce in The annals of the world. He was carried from court to court (Matthew 26:5-75; Luke 23:1-12 ), and finally condemned to die without the establishment of a single charge against Him (Luke 23:13-26 ).

21. Crucifixion . Jesus was crucified between two malefactors, Forsaken of God and man (Luke 23:27-48 ).

22. Sayings on the Cross . The utterances of Jesus on the cross Were,
    1. His prayer to God in behalf of His tormentors (Matthew 23:34 );
    2. His reply to the dying thief (Luke 23:39-43 );
    3. He requested the disciple whom He loved to take care of His mother (John 19:25-27 );
    4. He prayed to God, asking why He had been forsaken (Matthew 27:45-47 );
    5. He said that He was thirsty (John 19:28 );
    6. He declared that it was finished (John 19:30 );
    7. He commended His Spirit into the hands of His Father (Luke 23:46 ).

23. His Death . Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures (Romans 5:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:24,25 ).

24. Burial and Resurrection . He was buried in the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea (Mark 15:43-47 ), and raised again for our justification (Mark 16:1-8; Romans 4:25 ).

25. His Incredulous Apostles . The apostles of Jesus received the News of the resurrection with incredulity--as idle tales (Luke 24:10,11 ).

26. Appearances After the Resurrection . After Jesus arose again He Spent forty days on earth, demonstrating His identity by infallible Proofs, and He instructed His apostles in the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:1-3 ). He was seen by,
    1. Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11 );
    2. the other women who were returning from the tomb (Matthew 28:1-10 );
    3. Peter, the apostle (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5 );
    4. the two disciples going to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32 );
    5. the eleven apostles as they sat at meat (Mark 16:14 );
    6. the apostles the second time (John 20:26-29 );
    7. seven disciples at the sea of Tiberias (John 21:1 );
    8. the eleven disciples in a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16 );
    9. five hundred brethren at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6 );
    10. James (1 Corinthians 15:7 );
    11. and all the apostles at the ascension (Luke 24:50-52; Acts 1:1-12 ).

27. The Ascension . After Jesus had committed the words of Reconciliation to the apostles (2 Corinthians 5:17-21 ). He led them out as far as Bethany, blessed them and ascended to His Father's right hand (Luke 24:49-53; Acts 1:9-11 ).

28. His Character . In contemplating the character we should note that He is
    1. the second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45 );
    2. Advocate (1 John 2:1 );
    3. the ancient of days (Daniel 7:22 );
    4. Apostle (Hebrews 3:1 );
    5. Author and Finisher of the faith (Hebrews 12:2 );
    6. Beginning of the creation of God (Revelation 3:14 );
    7. Only begotten of the Father (John 1:14 );
    8. Beginning and End (Revelation 1:8 );
    9. Shepherd and Bishop (1 Peter 2:25 );
    10. Bread of Life (John 6:48-51 );
    11. Bridegroom (Matthew 9:15 );
    12. Bright Morning Star (Revelation 22:16 );
    13. Brightness of the Father's glory (Hebrews 1:3 );
    14. Brother (Hebrews 2:11 );
    15. Captain (Revelation 2:10 );
    16. The Chosen (Matthew 12:18 );
    17. Christ (Matthew 1:16 );
    18. Consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25 );
    19. Corner Stone (Ephesians 2:20 );
    20. Counselor (Isaiah 9:6 );
    21. Day Star (2 Peter 1:19 );
    22. Deliverer (Romans 11:26 );
    23. Desire of all nations (Haggai 2:7 );
    24. Door of the sheep (John 10:7 );
    25. Emmanuel (Matthew 1:23 );
    26. Friend (John 11:1-44 );
    27. Eternal Life (1 John 5:20 );
    28. Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6 );
    29. Express image of the Father (Hebrews 1:3 );
    30. Faithful Witness (Revelation 1:5 );
    31. First fruits from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:23 );
    32. Fountain (Zechariah 13:1 );
    33. Governor (Matthew 2:6 );
    34. Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18 );
    35. High Priest (Hebrews 3:1 );
    36. Holy One of God (Mark 1:24 );
    37. Heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2 );
    38. Judge (Acts 17:31 );
    39. King (Acts 2:34-36; Revelation 19:11-16 );
    40. Light of the world (John 9:5 );
    41. Life (John 14:6 );
    42. Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:1-5 );
    43. Master (Matthew 8:19 );
    44. Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5 );
    45. Messiah (Daniel 9:25 );
    46. Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7 );
    47. Potentate (1 Timothy 6:15 );
    48. Prince of life (Acts 3:15 );
    49. Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6 );
    50. Prophet (Luke 13:33; John 7:40 );
    51. Propitiation (1 John 2:2 );
    52. Power of God (1 Corinthians 1:24 );
    53. Physician (Matthew 9:12 );
    54. Ransom (1 Timothy 2:6 );
    55. Refiner and Purifier (Malachi 1:13 );
    56. Sacrifice (Ephesians 5:2 );
    57. Salvation (Luke 2:25-30 );
    58. Son of God (Matthew 4:3 );
    59. Son of Man (Matthew 8:20 );
    60. Son of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2 );
    61. Surety (Hebrews 7:22 );
    62. Teacher (John 3:2 );
    63. Testator (Hebrews 9:14-17 );
    64. Truth (John 14:6 );
    65. The Way (John 14:6 );
    66. Wedding Garment (Matthew 22:12 );
    67. Wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24 );
    68. Wonderful (Isaiah 9:6 );
    69. Word of God (Revelation 19:10-13 ).

29. Under the Law . Jesus lived and died under the law (Matthew 27:51; Romans 7:4; Ephesians 2:13-15 ).