1. Life of Christ Part 3: The Early Years of Jesus Christ and
Part 4: The Public Ministry of John the Baptist

2. Overview of Christ’s Public Ministry
POPULARITY
(DECLINING)
PUBLIC
PRESENTATION
OPPOSITION
(INCREASING)
OBSCURITY
(VANISHING)
EARLY
MINISTRIES
PRIVATE
PREPARATION
4 mos mos.
Jesus appoints the Twelve
Jesus returns to Galilee
OPENING
EVENTS
4 months
To Tyre and Sidon
CONCLUDING
MINISTRIES
John introduces Jesus
1.5 Mos.
8 months
6 months
3 Mos. 3 Mos.
Triumphal Entry
Birth
Tabernacles
Ascension
Resurrection
Death
Largely in Judea
Galilee
Around Galilee
Judea Perea
Second Year
Third Year
First Year

3. Part Three: The Early Years of Jesus Christ
Circumstances of Jesus' birth explained to Joseph (Matt. 1:18-25)
Mary remained with Elizabeth until the birth of John. She had been away from Joseph for about 4 months, and Joseph knew nothing about Gabriel’s announcement.
When Mary returned and Joseph saw her condition, he had 2 options:
Bring Mary before the law courts.
Divorce her quietly.
The angel appeared to Joseph and explained everything.
Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-7)
Census required that each head of household return to his home city.
In God’s providence, the Son of David was born in the City of David.
Witness of the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)
Probable time of Jesus birth was between spring and fall, since shepherds were out in the field.
First announcement of the birth was to those of low social status: shepherds. These shepherds were good impartial witnesses of the savior. No one could accuse them of prejudice in their testimony.
Talk about Mary’s visit to Elizabeth a little more here; Elizabeth recognizes her as carrying the mother of her Lord.

4. Part Three: The Early Years of Jesus Christ
Circumcision of Jesus (Luke 2:21)
Mary and Joseph followed the Mosaic Law.
Jesus presented in the Temple (Luke 2:22-38)
Two further rites were necessary after circumcision:
Child - Redemption of firstborn son. This kept alive the truth that the tribe of Levi replaced the firstborn sons of Israel.
Mother - purification after childbirth required offer of sacrifices (Lev. 12:2-8).
Simeon, a righteous and devout man, knew by the Holy Spirit that this was the One, and that He would provide redemption for both Israel and the nations.
Anna, a prophetess and widow, was another member of the righteous remnant. When she realized who the baby was, she spoke about Him to all who were looking for the deliverance of Israel.
Return to Nazareth (Luke 2:39)
The family returned to Nazareth to get their personal belongings and move back to Bethlehem, believing that this is where the Son of David should be brought up.

5. Part Three: The Early Years of Jesus Christ
Visit of the Magi (Matt. 2:1-12)
This incident occurred up to 2 years after Jesus’ birth, while the family was living in Bethlehem.
The Magi were probably Zoroastrians, who studied the stars in order to find God. They had access to the OT Scriptures, including Daniel’s 70 week prophecy. They came to Herod in Jerusalem to inquire about the King of the Jews.
Their gifts were probably used to finance the trip to Egypt.
Flight into Egypt (Matt. 2:13-18)
The slaughter of male babies was completely in accord with Herod’s character.
Notice how Matthew takes OT events that were familiar to his readers and draws out a new application for them.
New home in Nazareth (Matt. 2:19-23)
Rather than returning to their home in Bethlehem, Joseph took his family back to Nazareth.
Growth and early life of Jesus (Luke 2:40)
In keeping with his purpose, Luke emphasizes the humanity of Jesus. For the first time in history a human infant was developing according to the ideal, completely untarnished by sin.
Roots of the Magi could be traced back to Daniel’s day, and the idea of Jewish, worldwide Monarch was quite acceptable to them. Herod was Idumean (half Jew) and obviously friendly to the Romans. He was willing to execute anyone who threatened his power, even members of his own family.

6. Geography of Life of Christ
Key Regions:
Judea
Galilee
Decapolis
Perea
Samaria
Jerusalem

7. Part Three: The Early Years of Jesus Christ
Jesus' first Passover in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-50)
At twelve years of age Jesus already knew the Scriptures well enough to converse with the most learned men in Israel.
Jesus’ first recorded words are in Luke 2:49. His reply of “the things of My Father” were in response to Mary’s statement of “Your father and I have been anxiously looking for you.”
Jesus' Adolescence and early manhood (Luke 2:51-52)
A single sentence in Luke 2:52 covers an 18 year period, from 12 to 30 years old.
We have no other detailed information about this time in Jesus’ life. Generally, He grew up as the oldest son in a large family. Joseph evidently died before Jesus began His public ministry, so Jesus would have become the provider for the family, most likely through carpentry.

8. Part Four: The Public Ministry of John the Baptist
His ministry launched (Mark 1:1; Luke 3:1-2)
As a careful historian, Luke places the arrival of the forerunner within the stream of historical events and persons of the Roman Empire (footnote u, p. 33).
His person, proclamation, and baptism (Matt. 3:1-6; Mark 1:2-6; Luke 3:3-6)
John’s mission was comparable to that of an Oriental courier who preceded his monarch to proclaim the king’s coming and the need for citizens to prepare the roads for his arrival. John’s preparation was in matters of moral behavior. To receive the kingdom promised by the earlier prophets, the people needed to repent.
John’s baptism identified those who were of the believing remnant.
John the Baptist broke 400 years of silence from God. His ministry was very similar to that of the OT prophets, in that he called the people to repent in order to enter the Kingdom of God.

9. Part Four: The Public Ministry of John the Baptist
His messages to the Pharisees, Sadducees, multitudes, tax-gatherers, and soldiers (Matt. 3:7-10; Luke 3:7-14)
Jews of Jesus’ day assumed that they would be granted entrance into the kingdom as physical descendants of Abraham. They believed that Abraham sat at the gates of Gehenna and turned away all Israelites.
For these reason, Israelites had no fear of the coming kingdom. God’s wrath would be poured out on Gentiles, not on Israelites. John rebuked this thinking and gave illustrations of true repentance.
His description of the Christ (Matt. 3:11-12; Mark 1:7-8; Luke 3:15-18)
In contrast to John's water baptism, John speaks of one coming who will baptize with the Spirit and fire.
He has in mind OT prophecies such as Joel 2:28-32.

10. Next Time:
Part Five: The End of John’s Ministry and the Beginning of Christ’s (Largely in Judea)