Jesus, The Son of God A Chronological and Geographical Study of the Life of Jesus
Jesus in Prophecy (Jn. 5:39) Jesus the seed of Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3/ Gal. 3:8, 16) Jesus to bless all nations (Gen. 22:18/ Gal. 3:26-29) Moses refers to Jesus as a great prophet (Deut. 18:18 / Jn. 5:46, Acts 3:19ff) Jesus the seed of David (II Sam. 7:12ff / Matt. 1:1, 6, 17; Lk. 1:30ff) Jesus born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2 / Matt. 2:1-6) Jesus the king of his kingdom (Isa. 6:5 / Jn. 12:36f) Jesus to bear the sins of mankind (Isa. 53:4-6 / Heb. 9:27) Jesus’ crucifixion (Isa. 53:7-8 / Lk. 23:33) Jesus to be raised from the dead (Ps. 16:9ff / Matt. 12:39-40; 28:1-6; Acts 2:22-28)
Birth of Jesus (Matt. 1:18-25) Born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14 / Matt. 1:18ff) During the days of Herod the King (Matt. 2:1, 13-15) Herod reigned from ~ 42 BC to his death (4 BC) Luke’s record (2:1-7) Justin Mrtyr dates Quirinius as governor of Syria at 4 BC.
Political structure during the days of Jesus: years between OT and NT The Persian Period ( BC) Greek or Macedonian Period ( BC) The Egyptian Period ( BC) The Syrian Period ( BC) The Maccabean Period ( BC) The Roman Period (63 BC through NT era) 1. A Time when God’s people were ruled by others. 2. A time when the Jews were dispersed 3. A time when Roman roads gave world wide access 4. A time when Greek was a world wide language 5. A time of the Jewish synagogue 6. The fullness of time for the coming of Jesus (Gal. 4:4-5)
The Humanity of Jesus (Jn. 1:14) Jesus lived ~ 35 years of his life in Nazareth of Galilee. During these years he was a carpenter by trade and had brothers and sisters (Mk. 6:3) At an early age, Jesus was about His Father’s business (Lk. 2:40-52) Jesus was humble (Jn. 13:1ff; Matt. 11:28) Jesus loved humanity with great intensity (cf. Jn. 15:13; dieing for those to whom the stroke was due (Isa. 53). Jesus illustrated his humanity in that he was compassionate (Heb. 4:15): “For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
The deity of Jesus (Jn. 1:1) “In the beginning was the Word…” Jesus existed before time as we know it! Consider the prayer of Jesus (Jn. 17:5; “And now, Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was”) Jn. 17:24, “Father, I desire that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovest me before the foundations of the world.” Peter said “of Christ: who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of the time for your sake” (I Pet. 1:19-20).
The deity of Jesus (Jn. 1:1) “… and the Word was with God” Literally means “before the face of God” so that Jesus is seen to be with God from all eternity. The Creation: “And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea…” (Gen. 1:26). Jesus said, “No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (Jn. 1:18).
The deity of Jesus (Jn. 1:1) “… And the Word was God” Jesus is God with the Father and the Spirit in that they serve one purpose (Jn. 17:21ff). Jesus is God (Jn. 1:1; I Jn. 5:20). Jesus professed his deity (Jn. 8:58) Isaiah confessed the deity of Jesus (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23). Thomas confessed the deity of Jesus (Jn. 20:28). Peter confessed the deity of Jesus (Matt. 16:16).
Conclusion: Prophecy tells of the God-man Jesus who would be of the seed of Abraham… David and through whom all nations would be blessed (forgiveness of sins). His kingdom would be an everlasting kingdom. Jesus (born of a virgin) comes into the world ~ 4 BC during the days of Roman rule (Gal. 4:4-5). Jesus was a man: A carpenter by trade who had brothers and sisters. Though Jesus was man, he was eternal as deity. He was with God from all eternity. He was and is God!