Jesus Christ: Birth & childhood | Ministry | Teachings | Miracles | False accusations, crucifixion and resurrection

Birth: Matthew 1:18; Luke 2:1

"Death": Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:36; Luke 23:45; John 19:30 after living over 30 yrs.

Jesus Christ (Yeshua) was born of a virgin named Mary and walked the Earth over 2000 years ago. He performed many miracles including healing many people, casting out demons and turning water into wine. He taught God's true ways and was scorned by the corrupt religious leaders of the time, then turned over to the Romans to be crucified on a cross. Despite Satan's efforts, Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day, appearing to the disciples and many others before rejoining God in Heaven.

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous foreshadowing situations for the prophesied Messiah. Jews believed He would come lead them in peace. This scenario played out again and again when they chose their leaders. Unfortunately, humans are flawed and we often become comfortable and complacent in good times. Let's review some of the Old Testament events that point us to the example Jesus Christ gave us when God saw we just couldn't get it right.

Old Testament figures that we can learn from are Abraham, Joshua and a few others. While they weren't perfect, they exemplified faithful servants of God. Abraham's family line led to the family of Jesus - both with Joseph and Mary. It's the only lineage carried from the Old to the New Testament. Joshua's faith allowed him to see the promised land of Canaan while Moses was denied from entering it due to his disobedience. Caleb, son of Jephunneh was the other spy who God allowed to enter and hold land in Canaan.

When we fast forward to the time of the prophets, both Elijah and Elisha performed miracles that set the stage for Jesus. There were so many parallels between Elijah and Jesus that they were mentioned in the New Testament. 1 Kings 17 recorded Elijah raising a widow's son from the dead in Zarephath, Sidon. Even the "death" of Elijah bore a similarity to the ascension of Jesus since Elijah was taken up to heaven without an earthly death which we can read about in 2 Kings 2. Elisha took Elijah's place as a prophet. Just as Elijah did, Elisha also raised a Shunammite women's son from the dead in 2 Kings 4:8-37. Jesus raised a few people from the dead including Lazarus from Bethany who was undisputably dead for 4 days.

Various prophesies about Jesus appeared in Isaiah and a few other places before John the Baptist spoke of the coming Messiah. Jesus was the "root of Jesse" from Isaiah 11 since he came from the family line of king David.

Isaiah 9:6-7:
6. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 53:3-7:
3. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
5. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
6. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.