Searching the Scripture

Lesson 7 Prophesies and the Life of CHRIST

Part 2

The Life of CHRIST

In HIS pre-incarnate state as GOD, JESUS has always existed. HE was before all things.
HIS birth to the Virgin Mary is recorded in the books of Matthew and Luke.
CHRIST was circumcised when HE was eight days old. This is recorded in Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

JESUS was taken to the Temple in Jerusalem at the age of twelve as recorded in Luke 2:41-48 Now 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 after the custom of the feast.
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

JESUS spent HIS early years as a carpenter in the town of Nazareth.
Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

HE began HIS ministry in Judea, Samaria and Galilee. This period of time lasted six months.

JESUS´first miracle was performed at Cana of Galilee - John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and HIS second miracle which was the healing of the nobleman´s son took place in Capernaum.
John 4:46 and 54 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

The second part of the ministry of CHRIST covered a period of 6 to 8 months in the area of Capernaum and Galilee. It was during this time that HE performed miracles, healed the sick, and preached the Gospel.

The third part of HIS ministry was the later Galilean ministry which lasted for approximately one year in the area of Galilee. The crowds began to follow HIM. HE preached the Sermon on the Mount during this time. Read Matthew chapters 5 through 7.

This the fourth stage of HIS ministry. The Pharisees began to hound HIM in earnest as they sought HIS life. HE traveled to Capernaum, Phoenicia, Bethsaida, Caesarea, Philippi and then re-entered Galilee.

HIS last six months was spent preaching, teaching, and traveling.

The last week of HIS ministry included what we now call Palm Sunday, the Last Supper, and Gethsemane as well as the trials and death on the cross.

Three days later, as prophesied, JESUS rose from the dead.

Forty days after the resurrection, CHRIST ascended visibly and bodily into heaven.
Acts 1:10-11 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

The Miracles of JESUS

Briefly, let’s definite miracle. A miracle is the setting aside of a lower law by a higher law. Lower law is the natural, physical law of the earth and of nature. Only GOD can do things contrary to this lower law.

If JESUS truly was able to perform miracles then HE is GOD. Man, however, cannot perform true miracles.

The LORD JESUS did not perform miracles to “show off” or to entertain the people. HE performed miracles to prove HIS DEITY and to cause men to believe in HIM, in HIS message, and in HIMSELF as a person.
John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

JESUS performed believable miracles over nature. HE stilled the tempest, calmed the wind and water. He walked on water.
Matt. 8:26-27 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

Matt. 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

HE performed miracles over demons.
Mark 5:12-13 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

Matt. 8:28-32 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

JESUS performed miracles over disease. HE cleansed the leper, healed the lame, opened the eyes of the blind, caused the deaf to hear, and caused fever to leave the afflicted.
Matt. 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Matt. 12:10-13 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

JESUS performed miracles over death. HE raised the dead contrary to all human law.
John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Matt. 9:23-25 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

Luke 7:12-15 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

Our SAVIOUR´s miracles were performed openly in the presence of many witnesses and were recorded by divine inspiration so that we might read and believe.
JESUS´ life on earth can be summarized in the words that we find in Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

HE left us an example that we should follow.
I Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

We are to walk as HE walked.
I John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

CHRIST came to do GOD´s will and so should we.