Key events in the life of Jesus

1. Some key events inthe life of Jesus – 28th December 2015
“He grew upbefore him like a tender shoot, and like a root out ofdry ground. He had no beautyor
majesty to attract us to him,nothingin hisappearancethat we shoulddesire him”( Isaiah53:;2).
Many importanteventstookplace inthe life of Jesusandhave beenrecordedinthe fourGospels
(Matthew,Mark, Luke,andJohn).The essential events are describedonmultiple occasions thatinclude
His birth,baptism,miracles,teachings,sufferings, death,burial,resurrection,ascension,andpredicted
return.
Jesus’birth: BothMatthew 1 and Luke 1-2 provide accountsof the birthof Jesusandthe events
surroundingit.Of importantnote are the facts that Jesuswasbornof a virgin:“Shewill give birth to a
son,and you are to give himthe name Jesus,[a]
because he will save hispeople from their
sins”(Matthew1:21). Jesus’ birthcame to fulfillpropheciesof one whowouldcome fromthe seedof
Abraham,the tribe of Judah,and the familyline of David. Jesus’ Baptism:MultipleGospelsnote the
baptismof JesusbyJohnthe Baptistat aroundthe age of 30 (Matthew3, Mark 1, Luke 3). This marked
the beginningof Hispublicministry,and when Jesuswasbaptized: “Andavoice fromheaven said,
“Thisis my Son,whom I love; withhim I am well pleased.”
Jesus’Miracles:At least37 miraclesbyJesusare recordedinthe New Testament.He healedthe sick,
the blind,andlepers.Onthree occasions,he raisedindividualsfromthe dead.He alsoshowedpower
overnature,includingstoppingastormand walkingonwater. Jesus’Teachings:The New Testament
recordspeople'samazementatthe teachingsof Jesus:“WhenJesushadfinishedsayingthese things,
the crowds were amazedat his teaching, 29
becausehe taughtas one who hadauthority,and notas
their teachers of the law. (Matthew7:28-29). Large portionsof the Gospelsinclude the Sermononthe
Mount (Matthew5-7) andmany of the parables, whichwere storieswithaspiritual purpose.
Jesus’Sufferings:Infulfillmentof Isaiah53 andotherprophecies,Jesussufferedatthe handsof His
enemies. “Surelyhetook up our painand bore our suffering,yet we consideredhimpunishedby
God,stricken by him,and afflicted. 5
Buthe waspierced forour transgressions,he was crushedfor our
iniquities;thepunishmentthat broughtus peace was on him,and by hiswoundswe are healed”
(Isaiah53: 4-5). He wasarrested,beaten,andnailedtoacross afterthe JewishleadershandedHimover
for a deathsentence atthe approval of the Roman leaderPilate.
Jesus’Death: The deathof Jesuswasmade cleardue toboth the impactof Hissufferings,Hispierced
side:“Instead,oneof the soldierspierced Jesus’ sidewith a spear, bringingasuddenflow ofbloodand
water”(John19:34), His death:Jesuscalledout with a loudvoice, “Father,intoyour handsI commitmy
spirit.”[a]
Whenhe had saidthis,he breathed his last. 47
The centurion, seeingwhat had happened,
praisedGodand said,“Surelythis wasa righteousman.” 48
Whenall the people whohad gathered to
witnessthis sightsaw what took place,they beat their breasts andwent away”(Luke23:46-48),
Pilate'sconfirmation of Jesusdeath thatwe can learnin Mark 15:44-45,”Pilate was surprised to hear
that he was alreadydead. Summoningthe centurion,he asked himif Jesushad alreadydied. 45
When
he learned from the centurionthat it was so, he gave the body to Joseph’.
Jesus’Resurrection:The NewTestamentrecordsonmultiple occasionsthatthe tombwasemptyonthe
thirdday and thatmany eyewitnessesclaimedtosee Jesusalive again. 1Corinthians15 mentions500
people whosawthe resurrectedJesus,mostof whomwere still alive whenPaul wroteabout20 years

2. later.Atleast500 differentpeople werereferredtoasseeingJesusaliveagain,includingseveral
followerswhodiedforthisbelief.
Jesus’Ascension:After40 days,Jesusascendedintothe sky(Matthew28: 17-20, “Whenthey saw him,
they worshipedhim; but somedoubted. 18
Then Jesuscame to them andsaid, “All authorityin heaven
and onearth hasbeen given to me. 19
Therefore goand make disciplesofall nations,baptizingthemin
the name of the Father and ofthe Sonand of the Holy Spirit, 20
andteachingthem to obey everythingI
have commandedyou.And surely I am with youalways,to the very end of the age”
Jesus’Return. In the above passage we can alsoread the promise thatJesusChristwouldreturnagain.
“
They were lookingintentlyup intothe sky as he was going,whensuddenlytwo men dressed in white
stoodbeside them. 11
“Menof Galilee,” theysaid,“whydo you standhere lookingintothe sky? This
same Jesus,who has been taken from youinto heaven,will come backin the sameway you have seen
himgo into heaven” (Acts 1:10-11). Many New Testamentteachingsnote the promisedreturnof Jesus
as an essential teaching.Itispredictedastakingplace atany moment,thoughnoone will know the
exacttime.