NT Survey I Life of Christ – Part 1

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

An Overview of Our Study Thirteen major periods in Christ’s life Thirteen major periods in Christ’s life The associated geography of Christ’s life The associated geography of Christ’s life The final week of Christ’s life The final week of Christ’s life

Overview of Christ’s Public Ministry Birth First Year OPENING EVENTS 4 months John introduces Jesus EARLY MINISTRIES OBSCURITY (VANISHING) Largely in Judea 8 months POPULARITY (DECLINING) Jesus returns to Galilee Jesus appoints the Twelve 4 mos. 10 mos. Galilee Second Year PRIVATE PREPARATION Around Galilee 6 months To Tyre and Sidon CONCLUDING MINISTRIES 3 Mos. OPPOSITION (INCREASING) Third Year Judea Perea Tabernacles Triumphal Entry AscensionResurrectionDeath 1.5 Mos. PUBLIC PRESENTATION

Geography of Life of Christ Key Regions: Judea Galilee Decapolis Perea Samaria Jerusalem 12 months 14 months 6 months 3 months

Part One: A Preview of Who Jesus Is Jesus’ pre-incarnate existence (John 1:1- 5, 14) Jesus’ pre-incarnate existence (John 1:1- 5, 14) The genealogies of Jesus The genealogies of Jesus Matthew – legal lineage through Joseph, demonstrating Christ’s right to the Davidic throne. Matthew – legal lineage through Joseph, demonstrating Christ’s right to the Davidic throne. Luke – natural lineage through Mary, showing Him as a member of the human race. Luke – natural lineage through Mary, showing Him as a member of the human race.

Part Two: The Early Years of John the Baptist John’s birth foretold to Zacharias John’s birth foretold to Zacharias Jesus’ birth foretold to Mary Jesus’ birth foretold to Mary Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and song of Joy Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and song of Joy Zacharias’ prophetic song (Luke 1:67-80) Zacharias’ prophetic song (Luke 1:67-80) John’s growth and early life John’s growth and early life

Part Three: The Early Years of Jesus Christ His virgin birth explained to Joseph His virgin birth explained to Joseph Birth of Jesus and witness of the shepherds Birth of Jesus and witness of the shepherds Jesus’ circumcision and presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:25-35) Jesus’ circumcision and presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:25-35) Return to Nazareth, move to Bethlehem and flight to Egypt, and new home in Nazareth Return to Nazareth, move to Bethlehem and flight to Egypt, and new home in Nazareth Jesus growth and early life, including His first Passover in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-52) Jesus growth and early life, including His first Passover in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-52)

Part Four: The Public Ministry of John the Baptist John’s person, proclamation, and baptism (Luke 3:15-18) John’s person, proclamation, and baptism (Luke 3:15-18) John’s message to the religious leaders, multitudes, tax gatherers, and soldiers John’s message to the religious leaders, multitudes, tax gatherers, and soldiers John’s description of the Christ John’s description of the Christ

Part Five: The End of John’s Ministry and the Beginning of Christ’s Jesus’ baptism by John Jesus’ baptism by John Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness John’s self-identification to the priests and Levites John’s self-identification to the priests and Levites John’s identification of Jesus as the Son of God John’s identification of Jesus as the Son of God First miracle at Cana; Jesus visit to Capernaum with His disciples First miracle at Cana; Jesus visit to Capernaum with His disciples First Cleansing of the Temple at Passover First Cleansing of the Temple at Passover An early response to Jesus’ miracles (John 2:23-25) An early response to Jesus’ miracles (John 2:23-25) Nicodemus’ interview with Jesus Nicodemus’ interview with Jesus John superseded by Jesus John superseded by Jesus Jesus departs Judea, travels through Samaria, meets the woman at Sychar, and arrives in Galilee (John 4:40-45) Jesus departs Judea, travels through Samaria, meets the woman at Sychar, and arrives in Galilee (John 4:40-45)

Part Six: The Ministry of Christ in Galilee (Public Instruction) Opposition at home and a new headquarters Opposition at home and a new headquarters The move from Nazareth to Capernaum The move from Nazareth to Capernaum Disciples called and ministry throughout Galilee Disciples called and ministry throughout Galilee First and second call of the four First and second call of the four Sabbath controversies and withdrawal Sabbath controversies and withdrawal Lame man healed in Jerusalem on Sabbath Lame man healed in Jerusalem on Sabbath Disciples picking grain on Sabbath (perhaps in Galilee) Disciples picking grain on Sabbath (perhaps in Galilee) Healing of man’s withered hand in Galilee on the Sabbath Healing of man’s withered hand in Galilee on the Sabbath

Part Six: The Ministry of Christ in Galilee (Public Instruction) Appointment of the twelve and Sermon on the Mount Appointment of the twelve and Sermon on the Mount Growing fame and emphasis on repentance Growing fame and emphasis on repentance Centurion’s faith and the healing of his servant Centurion’s faith and the healing of his servant Woes upon Chorazin and Bethsaida for failure to repent (Matt 11:20-24) Woes upon Chorazin and Bethsaida for failure to repent (Matt 11:20-24) First public rejection by Jewish Leaders First public rejection by Jewish Leaders In response to the healing of the blind and dumb demon- possessed man In response to the healing of the blind and dumb demon- possessed man Parabolic mysteries about the kingdom (Matt 13:1-3, ) Parabolic mysteries about the kingdom (Matt 13:1-3, ) Final Galilean campaign Final Galilean campaign Commissioning of the Twelve to proclaim the kingdom (Luke 9:1-2) Commissioning of the Twelve to proclaim the kingdom (Luke 9:1-2) Antipas’ mistaken identity of Jesus with John the Baptist Antipas’ mistaken identity of Jesus with John the Baptist

Part Seven: The Ministry of Christ around Galilee (Private Instruction) Lesson on the Bread of Life Lesson on the Bread of Life Withdrawal from Galilee (Mark 6:31-34) Withdrawal from Galilee (Mark 6:31-34) Feeding of the five thousand Feeding of the five thousand Walking on the water during a storm at sea Walking on the water during a storm at sea Discourse on the true bread of life (John 6:32-36) Discourse on the true bread of life (John 6:32-36) Defection among the disciples (John 6:60-66) Defection among the disciples (John 6:60-66) Lesson on the Leaven of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians Lesson on the Leaven of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians Conflict over the tradition of ceremonial defilement Conflict over the tradition of ceremonial defilement Ministry to a Canaanite woman in Tyre and Sidon Ministry to a Canaanite woman in Tyre and Sidon Healings and feeding four thousand in Decapolis Healings and feeding four thousand in Decapolis Return to Galilee and encounter with the religious leaders (Mark 8:10- 12) Return to Galilee and encounter with the religious leaders (Mark 8:10- 12) Lesson of Messiahship Learned and Confirmed Lesson of Messiahship Learned and Confirmed Peter’s identification of Jesus as the Christ; first prophecy of the church Peter’s identification of Jesus as the Christ; first prophecy of the church First direct prediction of the rejection, crucifixion, and resurrection (Matt 16:21) First direct prediction of the rejection, crucifixion, and resurrection (Matt 16:21) The Transfiguration The Transfiguration Lesson on Responsibility to Others Lesson on Responsibility to Others Journey to Jerusalem for Feast of Tabernacles (Luke 9:51) Journey to Jerusalem for Feast of Tabernacles (Luke 9:51)

Part Eight: The Later Judean Ministry of Christ Teachings at the Feast of Tabernacles A mixed reaction to Jesus’ teaching and miracles (John 7:14-15, 25-26) Another debate with the scribes and Pharisees Woes against the scribes and Pharisees Warnings to the disciples concerning: hypocrisy greed and trust in wealth being unprepared for the Son of Man’s coming about the coming division failing to discern the present time Teaching at the Feast of Dedication Healing of the man born blind and subsequent reaction Another attempt to stone Jesus (John 10:22-33)

Part Nine: The Ministry of Christ in and around Perea Principles of Discipleship Principles of Discipleship From Jerusalem to Perea (John 10:40-42) From Jerusalem to Perea (John 10:40-42) Question about salvation and entering the kingdom (Luke 13:22- 30) Question about salvation and entering the kingdom (Luke 13:22- 30) Cost of discipleship (Luke 14:25-33) Cost of discipleship (Luke 14:25-33) Raising of Lazarus and a Brief Tour through Samaria and Galilee Raising of Lazarus and a Brief Tour through Samaria and Galilee Lazarus raised; the Jewish leaders react (John 11:45-53) Lazarus raised; the Jewish leaders react (John 11:45-53) Healing of the ten lepers while passing through Samaria and Galilee Healing of the ten lepers while passing through Samaria and Galilee Teaching while on Final Journey to Jerusalem Teaching while on Final Journey to Jerusalem Two parables on prayer (importunate widow & Pharisee and Publican) Two parables on prayer (importunate widow & Pharisee and Publican) Conflict with the Pharisaic teaching on divorce Conflict with the Pharisaic teaching on divorce Third prediction of the resurrection Third prediction of the resurrection Parable to teach responsibility while the kingdom is delayed (Luke 19:11-27) Parable to teach responsibility while the kingdom is delayed (Luke 19:11-27)

Next Week: Life of Christ – Part 2 The Final Week