Life of ChristLife of Christ

A Preview of Who Jesus isA Preview of Who Jesus is

andand

The Early Years of John the BaptistThe Early Years of John the Baptist

Introductory MattersIntroductory Matters

Aims and Requirements for the class – Aims and Requirements for the class – includes schedule. Very important to read includes schedule. Very important to read material before coming to class.material before coming to class.

Textbooks and materialsTextbooks and materials A Harmony of the GospelsA Harmony of the Gospels Charts of the Gospels and the Life of ChristCharts of the Gospels and the Life of Christ When God Wore SandalsWhen God Wore Sandals

www.bookmanministries.comwww.bookmanministries.com

Register on the BBI webpage to participate Register on the BBI webpage to participate in discussion forum.in discussion forum.

The Benefit of Studying the The Benefit of Studying the Life of ChristLife of Christ

““The central person of Christianity is Jesus The central person of Christianity is Jesus Christ. The bulk of what we know about Jesus Christ. The bulk of what we know about Jesus Christ is found in the four gospels, Matthew, Christ is found in the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. An indispensable step Mark, Luke, and John. An indispensable step toward a better understanding of these four toward a better understanding of these four books is to harmonize the separate accounts books is to harmonize the separate accounts so as to assemble as many details as possible so as to assemble as many details as possible into a chronologically meaningful sequence” into a chronologically meaningful sequence” (Thomas and Gundry, (Thomas and Gundry, A Harmony of the A Harmony of the GospelsGospels, p. 5)., p. 5).

How Did We Get the How Did We Get the Gospels?Gospels?

The story of Jesus’ life, crucifixion, and resurrection The story of Jesus’ life, crucifixion, and resurrection was first spread by eyewitnesses through word of was first spread by eyewitnesses through word of mouth, and was not written down.mouth, and was not written down.

There were practical and doctrinal issues that arose in There were practical and doctrinal issues that arose in the church and created the need for the epistles first.the church and created the need for the epistles first.

About ten years after James wrote the first epistle, the About ten years after James wrote the first epistle, the need for a written account of Jesus' life and ministry need for a written account of Jesus' life and ministry was created by two factors:was created by two factors: Eyewitnesses of Jesus' earthly life and resurrection became Eyewitnesses of Jesus' earthly life and resurrection became

more scarce as many of them began to die.more scarce as many of them began to die. Christianity began to spread to such a degree that there were Christianity began to spread to such a degree that there were

not enough eyewitnesses to go around and tell the story not enough eyewitnesses to go around and tell the story orally.orally.

Introductory Material on the Introductory Material on the Gospels (See Chart 18 – Page Gospels (See Chart 18 – Page

81)81) Each Gospel writer wrote with a particular audience and Each Gospel writer wrote with a particular audience and

purpose in mind, and each emphasizes a different aspect of purpose in mind, and each emphasizes a different aspect of Jesus' character:Jesus' character: MatthewMatthew wrote first in the late 50s. He was a Jew and wrote to a wrote first in the late 50s. He was a Jew and wrote to a

believing Jewish audience. He emphasizes Jesus role as the believing Jewish audience. He emphasizes Jesus role as the KingKing of the Jews, the coming Messiah who was prophesied in the OT.of the Jews, the coming Messiah who was prophesied in the OT.

LukeLuke followed in about AD 60. He was a Gentile (Col 4:11, 14), followed in about AD 60. He was a Gentile (Col 4:11, 14), probably the only Gentile writer of Scripture. He was an associate probably the only Gentile writer of Scripture. He was an associate of Paul and emphasizes the of Paul and emphasizes the humanityhumanity of Jesus in his Gospel. of Jesus in his Gospel.

MarkMark was written in the late 60s. Mark wrote as an associate of was written in the late 60s. Mark wrote as an associate of Peter. He also wrote to a Gentile audience, possibly to believers Peter. He also wrote to a Gentile audience, possibly to believers in Rome. He emphasizes the in Rome. He emphasizes the servanthoodservanthood of Christ. of Christ.

JohnJohn wrote his Gospel in the late 80s. He wrote to Jewish and God- wrote his Gospel in the late 80s. He wrote to Jewish and God-fearing unbelievers. His Gospel is more evangelistic. He fearing unbelievers. His Gospel is more evangelistic. He emphasizes the emphasizes the deity of Christdeity of Christ, and recorded the signs that Jesus , and recorded the signs that Jesus did in order that those who read them might believe that Jesus is did in order that those who read them might believe that Jesus is the Christ (John 20:31).the Christ (John 20:31).

The Gospel writers were not trying to give exhaustive The Gospel writers were not trying to give exhaustive histories. Each one chose events to accomplish a specific histories. Each one chose events to accomplish a specific purpose. Each had a goal, and they wrote to meet that goal. purpose. Each had a goal, and they wrote to meet that goal. Combining them together gives us a more complete picture of Combining them together gives us a more complete picture of the life of Christ.the life of Christ.

The Historical ContextThe Historical Context

The Roman Empire – Rome comes into The Roman Empire – Rome comes into power in approximately 63 BC.power in approximately 63 BC.

The Messianic ExpectationThe Messianic Expectation Different Groups in Judaism (See Chart 12 Different Groups in Judaism (See Chart 12

– Page 72)– Page 72) PhariseesPharisees SadduceesSadducees HerodiansHerodians EssenesEssenes ZealotsZealots

An Overview of Our StudyAn Overview of Our Study

The geography of Christ’s lifeThe geography of Christ’s life Thirteen major periods in Christ’s life, Thirteen major periods in Christ’s life,

culminating in His passionculminating in His passion

Overview of Christ’s Public Overview of Christ’s Public MinistryMinistry

Birt

h

First Year

OPENINGEVENTS

4 months

Joh

n in

trod

uces

Jesu

s

EARLYMINISTRIES

OBSCURITY(VANISHING)

Largely in Judea

8 months

POPULARITY(DECLINING)

Jesu

s re

turn

s to

G

alile

e

Jesu

s a

pp

oin

ts th

e

Tw

elv

e

4 mos. 10 mos.

Galilee

Second Year

PRIVATEPREPARATION

Around Galilee

6 months

To T

yre

an

d

Sid

on

CONCLUDINGMINISTRIES

3 Mos. 3 Mos.

OPPOSITION(INCREASING)

Third Year

Judea Perea

Tab

ern

acle

s Triu

mp

hal

En

try

Ascen

sio

nR

esu

rrecti

on

Death

1.5 Mos.

PUBLICPRESENTATION

Geography of Geography of Life of ChristLife of Christ

Key Regions:

Judea

Galilee

Decapolis

Perea

Samaria

Jerusalem

12 months

14 months

6 months

3 months

3 months

Part One: A Preview of Who Part One: A Preview of Who Jesus IsJesus Is

Luke’s purpose in writing a gospel (Luke 1:1-4)Luke’s purpose in writing a gospel (Luke 1:1-4) Luke was a careful historian, drew from mostly oral Luke was a careful historian, drew from mostly oral

sources.sources. John’s prologue: from preincarnation to crucifixion John’s prologue: from preincarnation to crucifixion

(John 1:1-18)(John 1:1-18) VEn avrch/| h=n o` lo,goj( kai. o` lo,goj h=n pro.j to.n VEn avrch/| h=n o` lo,goj( kai. o` lo,goj h=n pro.j to.n

qeo,n( kai. qeo.j h=n o` lo,gojÅqeo,n( kai. qeo.j h=n o` lo,gojÅ Organized around 4 significant eventsOrganized around 4 significant events

Creation (1:3)Creation (1:3) Coming of the forerunner (1:6)Coming of the forerunner (1:6) Incarnation of Christ (1:14)Incarnation of Christ (1:14) Crucifixion of Christ (1:17)Crucifixion of Christ (1:17)

Genealogies of Jesus (see Essay 9, “The Genealogies of Jesus (see Essay 9, “The Genealogies in Matthew and Luke”)Genealogies in Matthew and Luke”) Matthew (1:1-17) – legal lineage through Joseph, Matthew (1:1-17) – legal lineage through Joseph,

demonstrating Christ’s right to the Davidic throne. demonstrating Christ’s right to the Davidic throne. Traces from Abraham down to Christ, in 3 sets of 14.Traces from Abraham down to Christ, in 3 sets of 14.

Luke (3:23b-38) – natural lineage through Mary, showing Luke (3:23b-38) – natural lineage through Mary, showing Him as a member of the human race. Traces from Eli Him as a member of the human race. Traces from Eli back to Adam.back to Adam.

Part Two: The Early Years of Part Two: The Early Years of John the BaptistJohn the Baptist

John’s birth foretold to Zacharias (Luke 1:5-25)John’s birth foretold to Zacharias (Luke 1:5-25) Because of the number of priests, this was a once in a Because of the number of priests, this was a once in a

lifetime opportunity for Zacharias to serve in the temple.lifetime opportunity for Zacharias to serve in the temple. His prayer (1:13) is often understood as a petition for a His prayer (1:13) is often understood as a petition for a

son. It is more likely that he was praying for the son. It is more likely that he was praying for the redemption of Israel, and that his son would play a key redemption of Israel, and that his son would play a key role in this.role in this.

Jesus’ birth foretold to Mary (Luke 1:26-38)Jesus’ birth foretold to Mary (Luke 1:26-38) Period of betrothal was usually for about 12 months, to Period of betrothal was usually for about 12 months, to

show that the woman was not with child.show that the woman was not with child. The kingdom that was announced by Gabriel (1:32-33) The kingdom that was announced by Gabriel (1:32-33)

was that predicted in the OT and in full continuity with was that predicted in the OT and in full continuity with the Davidic line in Israel’s history.the Davidic line in Israel’s history.

Mary’s words (1:38) showed great trust and submission. Mary’s words (1:38) showed great trust and submission. She knew that this would endanger her social standing She knew that this would endanger her social standing and jeopardize her relationship to Joseph.and jeopardize her relationship to Joseph.

Part Two: The Early Years of Part Two: The Early Years of John the BaptistJohn the Baptist

Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and song of joy (Luke 1:39-Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and song of joy (Luke 1:39-56)56) Somehow (by special revelation?) Elizabeth knew that Mary Somehow (by special revelation?) Elizabeth knew that Mary

was carrying her Lord, the Messiah.was carrying her Lord, the Messiah. Mary’s song reflects a good understanding of the long-Mary’s song reflects a good understanding of the long-

range significance of what she is involved in. It is patterned range significance of what she is involved in. It is patterned after the OT Psalms.after the OT Psalms.

Verses 51-54 contain 7 prophetic aorists; Mary is rejoicing Verses 51-54 contain 7 prophetic aorists; Mary is rejoicing not in what God has already done but what He will do in not in what God has already done but what He will do in delivering Israel both spiritually and politically.delivering Israel both spiritually and politically.

John’s Birth (1:57-66)John’s Birth (1:57-66) V. 65 – very unusual birth, with the father being smitten V. 65 – very unusual birth, with the father being smitten

deaf and dumb and the baby given an unusual name.deaf and dumb and the baby given an unusual name. Zacharias’ prophetic song (Luke 1:67-79)Zacharias’ prophetic song (Luke 1:67-79)

Vv. 68-75 deal with the Messiah (more prophetic aorists in Vv. 68-75 deal with the Messiah (more prophetic aorists in vv. 68-69), vv. 76-79 with Messiah’s forerunner.vv. 68-69), vv. 76-79 with Messiah’s forerunner.

Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants are all alluded to.Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants are all alluded to. John’s growth and early life (Luke 1:80)John’s growth and early life (Luke 1:80)

Next Time:Next Time:

Part 3 – The Early Years of Jesus Part 3 – The Early Years of Jesus ChristChristandand

Part 4 – The Public Ministry of John Part 4 – The Public Ministry of John the Baptistthe Baptist