Jesus as a lord and savior.
Through his teachings, and by setting an example of selfless love, Christians believe that Jesus guides people to live less sinful lives. Through his sacrifice of dying on the cross, Christians believe that Jesus atoned for the sins of human beings.
The five major milestones in the New Testament narrative of the life of Jesus are his Baptism, Transfiguration, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. In the gospels, the ministry of Jesus starts with his Baptism by John the Baptist, when he is about thirty years old.
THE BIRTH OF JESUS
Matthew 1:18-2:15
Luke 2:1-20
In the days when Herod was king of Judea, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth in Galilee to announce to a virgin named Mary, who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, that a child would be born to her and she was to name him Jesus, for he would be the son of God and rule over Israel forever.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea. After Jesus’ birth, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the one who was born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star rising and have come to worship him.”
Jesus is known as Second Adam who Fulfils God’s Purpose
But this is not how this story ends. “The first man, Adam became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit”.
JESUS IS NAMED AND PERFECTED IN THE TEMPLE
Luke 2:21-40
An angel told Mary and Joseph about Jesus’ purpose before Jesus was even born and you shall call his name Jesus (Yeshua), for he will save his people from their sins”, yet they still didn’t understand why Jesus stayed at the temple when they went home. Mary and Joseph headed back home and after a day of travel realized Jesus was missing, so they returned to Jerusalem, finding Jesus three days later. He was found in The Temple in discussion with the elders. They were amazed at his learning, especially given his young age. Jesus was spending time with His true Father. Even at 12 years old, Jesus knew His purpose was to save people from sin.
THE YOUNG JESUS
Luke 2:41-52
Rather than being annoyed by one so youthful, these intelligent men were astounded by Jesus’ questions and responses and, most importantly, by His grasp of deep theological topics. Luke’s account says, “All who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers”. Truly they were in the presence of a very divinely gifted young man.
Once He was located, Joseph and Mary were relieved to find Jesus safe. Yet at the same time, they were bewildered by their Son’s surprising behavior and seeming lack of appreciation for the anxiousness He had caused.
THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
Matthew 3, Mark 1:1-11, Luke 3:21-22
Jesus came to John the Baptist while he was baptizing people in the River Jordan. … As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. Heaven was opened and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. Then a voice said from heaven, “This is my own dear son with whom I am pleased.”
Baptism is an important sacrament because Jesus was baptized, and after his resurrection, he told his disciples that they too should be baptized. It was John who baptized Jesus. … Christians believe that baptizing cleanses people from original sin and marks a person’s official entry into the Church.
Water Baptism is an act of obedience for the believer. It should be preceded by repentance, which simply means “change.” It is turning from our sin and selfishness to serve the Lord. It means placing our pride, our past and all of our possessions before the Lord.
THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS
Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13
Jesus was tempted three times. The temptations were hedonism (hunger/satisfaction), egoism (spectacular throw/might), and materialism (kingdoms/wealth). John the Evangelist in his epistle calls these temptations “in-world” as “lust of eyes” (materialism), “lust of body” (hedonism), and “pride of life” (egoism).
The temptation of Christ after being baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus was tempted by the devil for 40 days and nights in the Judaean Desert. During this time, Satan came to Jesus and tried to tempt him. Jesus having refused each temptation, Satan then departed and Jesus returned to Galilee to begin his ministry. During this entire time of the spiritual battle, Jesus was fasting.
JESUS CALLS HIS FIRST DISCIPLES
Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:1-11
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
JESUS CHOOSES HIS APOSTLES
Matthew 10:1-04, Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-16
Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS
Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13
The transfiguration, then, symbolizes the life to come and thus the goal of ascetic pursuit. It reminds the believer that the vision of God unfolds amidst the splendor of holiness while also pointing toward the way in which the final movement to ecstatic wonder is always grace-filled and joy-laden.
Jesus Christ took three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, upon a mountain, where Moses and Elijah appeared and Jesus was transfigured, his face and clothes becoming dazzlingly bright.