Jesus Christ: God with Us

The life of Jesus Christ is not a regular biography. It begins not in a stable, but in eternity past. Understanding Jesus starts with knowing who He was before He was born.

1. Before Time: The Eternal Word

The Bible refers to Jesus by many names, but one of the most powerful is "The Word."

• The Gospel of John states: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1-2)

• This means Jesus' life began with God in the beginning.

• The Scripture confirms: "All things were made by him; without him, nothing was made that has been made." (John 1:3) Jesus was present with God at creation.

2. The Unique Birth and Early Life

Jesus' life on earth began with a miracle that was unique in history: God became man.

• The Virgin Birth: The angel Gabriel announced that a young Jewish virgin named Mary would conceive and give birth to a son named Jesus (Luke 1:30-31). His birth in Bethlehem was the first to ever supernaturally open a womb.

• The Humble Start: He was born in a humble stable, with angels declaring His birth to shepherds and a special star leading wise men to Him.

• The Child: When Jesus was twelve, His parents found Him in the Temple, debating with teachers. His insight astonished them, and He told them, "Didn't you know I ought to be at my Father's house?" (Luke 2:46–49).

3. The Adult Ministry

At about age 30, Jesus began His public ministry, preparing the world for a new relationship with God.

• The Baptism: Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. As He prayed, the Holy Spirit descended on Him, and a voice from heaven declared: "This is my Son whom I dearly love; I find happiness in him." (Matthew 3:17)

• Teaching and Temptation: Jesus spent time fasting and praying, using Scripture to overcome the devil’s temptations, setting a powerful example for us.

• The Apostles: He hand-picked twelve disciples to serve most closely with Him, training them to carry on His work.

• Miracles: Jesus performed countless miracles—healings, resurrections, and nature miracles—not just to prove His power, but to teach a lesson about God’s Kingdom.

4. The Legacy: Why He Came

Jesus’ life was intensely focused on one primary goal:

"The primary purpose of Jesus' earthly life... was to seek and save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)

He accomplished this through a single, supreme act:

• The Supreme Sacrifice: He offered the only path to Heaven (salvation from sin) by giving His life on the cross.

• The Victory: He vanquished death and the grave with His resurrection, offering eternal life to all who put their trust in Him.