Jesus Christ
Who was Jesus and what was his purpose?
The biography of Jesus Christ, unlike other biographies, does not start with His birth or even with His conception.
The biography of Jesus Christ will be better understood if we understand that the Bible refers to him by several different names.
Jesus Christ was referred to by John as "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God," he wrote.
He was with God in the beginning" (John 1:1-2). This indicates that the life of Jesus Christ began in eternity past, with God.
Birth of Jesus
Some people think of a biography of Jesus Christ in terms of His time on earth. We must start there, not at His birth, but at His creation, since both of these events were unprecedented in history. Only Jesus' earthly life starts with divine creation, with no man present.
The angel Gabriel predicted this creation in Luke 1:26-35. Since He was born of a young Jewish virgin, His birth was the first to ever open a womb.
His mother, Mary, and stepfather, Joseph, had to move to Bethlehem because of a government survey. This is the location of Jesus' birth, which took place in a humble stable.
Angels appeared to shepherds and a remarkable star appeared to wise men in a distant land to declare his birth. He was baptized in the Temple at the age of eight days, as per Jewish tradition.
Bible Quote
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.
Luke 1:30-31
The first known acts of Jesus Christ's life date back to the beginning of time. "All things were made by him; without him, nothing was made that has been made" (John 1:3).
While He isn't named, this Scripture indicates that He was present, and God's words are recorded as "Let US make man in OUR picture, in OUR likeness..." (Genesis 1:26), implying that at the time of conception, the Father was not alone.
The Early Years of Jesus
When Jesus was a child, he and his family fled to Egypt after an angel warned Joseph of imminent danger in a vision. They stayed in Galilee, in the town of Nazareth when they returned from Egypt. Jesus moved to Jerusalem with Mary and Joseph when he was twelve years old to observe the Passover Feast.
When His parents were unable to locate Him among their party of relatives and friends on the return journey, they returned to Jerusalem and "found Him in the temple courts, seated among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions after three days."
Those who heard Him were astonished by His comprehension and responses. His parents were taken aback when they first met Him.
'Son, why have you treated us like this?' his mother questioned. 'Your father and I have been looking for you with bated breath.' 'Why were you looking for me?' he inquired. 'Didn't you know I ought to be at my Father's house?' (Luke 2:46–49).
He returned to Nazareth with them after that, was faithful, and began to rise "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." (Luke 2:52)
Bible Quote
A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son whom I dearly love; I find happiness in him.”
Matthew 3:17
The Adult Ministry of Jesus
Jesus became well-known when he was about 30 years old. John the Baptist had prepared the way for Jesus' ministry by preaching of the coming Messiah. As Jesus prayed during His baptism, John baptized Him "The heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove on Him.
'You are my Son, whom I love; I am well delighted with you,' a voice from heaven said." In order to prepare for His ministry, Jesus went into the wilderness for a period of fasting and prayer. The devil then approached Him and tempted Him.
But instead of succumbing to the temptations, Jesus responded with Scripture, establishing a precedent for His followers to follow in dealing with urges for generations to come.
The Legacy of Jesus.
Jesus began preaching a vision of repentance, and He hand-picked twelve men from among His supporters with whom He served most closely, educating them far more deeply than the crowds.
The apostles, or the twelve disciples, are the names given to these men. Many who heard Jesus' teaching and preaching were convicted, challenged, or encouraged, while others were merely amused, and others were angered.
Many miracles of healing and regeneration, as well as miracles intended to teach a lesson, were performed by Jesus. A biography of Jesus Christ is fascinating - and can be researched in depth in the pages of Scripture, particularly the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The primary purpose of Jesus' earthly life, though, was to "seek and save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10, Through His teaching and preaching, Jesus searched out the lost.
Then He offered the only path to Heaven (salvation from sin) by way of the supreme sacrifice, which only He could produce - His crucifixion on Calvary, followed by His three-day resurrection from the dead. For those who put their trust in Him, He vanquished death and the grave.
Accept Jesus Today
As you may have noticed I like to keep Steps With Jesus free from advertising and other commercial influence. The purpose is for your experience with God to be pure and free from distraction.
However, I do incur numerous costs whilst running this website. So I kindly ask if you have found this website useful in any way that you consider donating whatever you can afford so that others may hear the wonderful message of Jesus Christ too! God bless you.
Consider a Donation.
As you may have noticed I like to keep Steps With Jesus free from advertising and other commercial influence. The purpose is for your experience with God to be pure and free from distraction.
However, I do incur numerous costs whilst running this website. So I kindly ask if you have found this website useful in any way that you consider donating whatever you can afford so that others may hear the wonderful message of Jesus Christ too! God bless you.