The Bible gives us a look into the life and character of Jesus Christ, and through these, Christians learn just what it means to be of the most divine nature and fit to inherit the kingdom of God. Today, we compile 21 things about the life of Jesus every Christian should know.
Birth
In Matthew 1:18–25 and Luke 2:1–7, we learn about how Jesus was born in Bethlehem by the Virgin Mary and how His birth was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. It’s a story that’s central to Christmas celebrations, and UNESCO says that the Church of the Nativity now stands at His supposed birthplace.
Lineage
As shared by E-Bible, while Matthew 1:6 says Jesus’s genealogy included Solomon and Luke 3:31 says it included Nathan instead, there’s one undeniable truth—Jesus’s lineage is traced back to King David. As mentioned earlier, this is a fulfillment of the arrival of the Messiah from David’s lineage, and it stamps Jesus’s rightful, elevated position in Jewish history.
Baptism
Jesus received His baptism from John the Baptist in Al-Maghtas, a site in the Jordan Valley north of the Dead Sea popularly referred to as “Bethany beyond the Jordan.” During this event, Matthew 3:13–17 and Mark 1:9–11 describe how the Holy Spirit descended on Him and how this was done to “fulfill all righteousness.”
Temptation
Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness for 40 days, during which Satan enticed Him with power, food, and safety. But Jesus resisted by quoting Scripture. This event demonstrated His unwavering commitment to God’s will and His ability to overcome sin, lessons from Matthew 4:1–11 and Luke 4:1–13 that we as Christians should apply in our lives.
Miracles
Throughout His ministry, Jesus performed numerous miracles, such as healing the sick, feeding thousands with a small amount of loaves and fish, and even raising the dead. His first public miracle was at the marriage at Cana, where He turned water into wine, and, overall, these miracles demonstrated His divine power and compassion for humanity.
Teachings
Jesus taught about love, forgiveness, and the Kingdom of God. His teachings, often delivered through parables, challenged existing religious norms and emphasized the importance of inner purity over outward rituals. The Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5–7, is one of His most famous and impactful discourses.
Disciples
Jesus selected twelve disciples to follow Him closely and learn from His teachings. These men witnessed His miracles firsthand, and after His resurrection, they spread His message throughout the world. The disciples played a crucial role in establishing the early Christian church and its foundations.
Compassion
Compassion for the marginalized was a hallmark of Jesus’s ministry. He reached out to sinners, tax collectors, and those considered unclean by society. As learned from Matthew 9:10–13 and Luke 7:36–50, His actions also demonstrated that God’s love extends to all people, regardless of their status or past actions, and they emphasized the importance of forgiveness and acceptance.
His Authority
Jesus taught with unmatched authority, unlike other religious leaders of His time. He interpreted the Scriptures—revealing deeper truths about God’s intentions—in unique ways, and His authoritative teaching often astonished and sometimes even angered the religious establishment of the period.
Prayer Life
Prayer was central to Jesus’s life and ministry. He often withdrew to solitary places to pray, seeking intimate communion with God the Father. The Lord’s Prayer, taught to His disciples, remains a timeless model for Christian prayer, emphasizing the importance of seeking God’s will and guidance in all circumstances.
Fulfillment of Prophecy
In Isaiah 53 and Matthew 1:22–23, Jesus fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah, including predictions about His birth, life, death, and resurrection. His fulfillment of these prophecies strongly affirmed His identity as the promised Savior, providing clear evidence for believers and skeptics alike.
Transfiguration
The Transfiguration revealed Jesus’s divine glory. Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus shining with heavenly light, accompanied by Moses and Elijah. This miraculous event, contained in Matthew 17:1–8 and Mark 9:2–8 (seen in the Bible Gateway), confirmed His divine nature and His fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (books of Jewish tradition).
Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem marked the beginning of the final week of His life. He rode a donkey, fulfilling an ancient prophecy from Zechariah. And crowds eagerly welcomed Him with palm branches, shouting “Hosanna” in recognition of the long-awaited King. This event is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew 21:1–11 and John 12:12–19.
The Last Supper
The Last Supper was Jesus’s final meal with His disciples before His crucifixion. During this significant meal, He instituted the practice of Communion, symbolizing His body and blood. This profound event has been commemorated by Christians worldwide for centuries as a solemn reminder of Jesus’s ultimate sacrifice.
Crucifixion
Jesus was crucified under Roman authority. Despite His innocence, He was condemned and suffered a brutal execution, fulfilling the prophecy of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53:5. His death was a sacrificial act to atone for humanity’s sins, and this sacrifice continues to inspire faith and devotion across the world.
Resurrection
Jesus rose from the dead three days after His crucifixion, a miraculous event that changed history. His resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, demonstrating His victory over sin and death. The empty tomb and His appearances to the disciples confirmed His triumph and gave hope to believers.
Ascension
Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven, and this event was witnessed by His disciples. It’s a moment that marked His return to the Father and signified the completion of His earthly mission. The ascension also initiated His reign in heaven, highlighting the beginning of a new chapter, as contained in Acts 1:9–11 and Luke 24:50–53.
His Role as Mediator
Jesus acts as a mediator between God and humanity. His sacrificial death and resurrection provide a way for people to be reconciled with God, and Christians rightly believe that through Him, they can approach God with confidence. These are lessons we get from 1 Timothy 2:5, shared by the Church of Jesus Christ.
His Return
The Bible promises that Jesus will return one day to bring justice. This Second Coming will herald the final judgment and the fulfillment of God’s kingdom. Believers are encouraged to live in readiness for this future event, which will bring justice, peace, and fulfillment of God’s divine plan for humanity.
Role in the Trinity
Jesus is part of the Holy Trinity, which is completed by God the Father and the Holy Spirit. This doctrine highlights His divine nature and unity with God. The concept of the Trinity is central to understanding the Christian faith and Jesus’s unique identity. Christians believe that this foundational doctrine further emphasizes the interconnectedness and divine essence of Jesus.
His Titles
Jesus is known by many titles, such as Son of God, Son of Man, and Lamb of God. Throughout the Bible, like in John 1:29 and Mark 14:61–62, these titles are used to describe His divine role and shed light on His profound significance. Each reflects a different aspect of His identity and mission.
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