Jesus of Nazareth



Birthplace: Bethlehem

Mother: Mary

Father: Jehovah (earthly) Joseph

At the young age of 12, Jesus was beginning to show His purpose on earth. The family had gone to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. When it was over and they were on their way home, they realized Jesus was not there. They looked for Him among the relatives and friends, but He was nowhere to be found. He had been left behind! So they went back to Jerusalem. They found Him three days later in the temple courtyard. He was with the teachers, questioning them.... and answering their questions. They were quite amazed at His knowledge. When confronted by His Mother about how worried they had been, He replied, "Why were you worried and looking for me? Don't you know I am doing my Father's business?" But He went home with them, and was an obedient son, and Mary kept all these things in her heart.

Of course, these are my words, but you can read it for yourselves in Luke 2:41-52



We're really not told that much about Jesus' childhood. The next main event, I would say, was being baptized by John the Baptist.

We read of John preaching to the crowds of people that came to him. His message was one of repentence and baptism. His purpose was to prepare the way for the Lord.

One day, as he was preaching and baptizing, he saw Jesus coming toward him. He said, "Look! The Lamb of God! He takes away the sins of the world! This is the One I was talking about". When Jesus came into the water to be baptized, John said, "I need to be baptized by You". But Jesus told him that this was the plan to be fulfilled. So John baptized Him; and when He came up out of the water, the Spirit of God came upon Him like a dove. A voice from Heaven said, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.".



Jesus was then led into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan for forty days and forty nights. This was in preparation for His ministry. You can read of this temptation in Matt. 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13.



After this, He began His ministry. He went around healing the sick and teaching and preaching. He also chose the apostles who would carry on when he was gone. For approximately three years, He ministered to people. Then came the time of the end.



It was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. All the preparations that Jesus requested had been done, and they were all together that evening for the meal.

Jesus revealed to them what events were about to take place. While they were eating, He then took the bread. He gave thanks, broke it and giving it to them said, "Take and eat. This is my body." Next, He took the cup, and blessed it. He told the apostles, "Take and drink. This is my blood of the new covenant. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many".



Jesus knew time was running out!

Read on, as the story continues.