JESUS OF NAZARETH

📄 Born: c. 4 BC Judea, Roman Empire

📄 Died: c. AD 30 / 33 (aged 33–36) Jerusalem, Judea, Roman Empire

📄 Home Town: Nazareth, Galilee

📄 Parent(s): Mary and Joseph

📄 Jesus of Nazareth, also known as Jesus Christ, was the central personality and founder of the Christian faith.

The life of Jesus Christ can be divided into several significant phases, each marked by key events and milestones that reflect his earthly ministry and mission. Here's one way to divide Jesus's life:

Preparation and Birth (c. 4 BC/BCE - c. 6 AD/CE):

• Annunciation: The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive and bear a son by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-38).

• Birth of Jesus: Jesus is born in Bethlehem, fulfilling Messianic prophecies (Luke 2:1-20; Matthew 1:18-25).

• Visit of the Magi: Wise men from the East visit Jesus, bearing gifts (Matthew 2:1-12).

• Flight to Egypt and Return to Nazareth: Mary, Joseph, and Jesus flee to Egypt to escape Herod's massacre of the infants, then return to Nazareth after Herod's death (Matthew 2:13-23).

Childhood and Early Years (c. 6 AD/CE - c. 26 AD/CE):

• Early Childhood: Little is recorded about Jesus's childhood, except for his visit to the temple at age 12 (Luke 2:41-52).

• Life in Nazareth: Jesus grew up in Nazareth, where he likely learned the trade of carpentry from Joseph.

Preparation and Beginning of Ministry (c. 26 AD/CE - c. 30 AD/CE):

• Baptism by John the Baptist: Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River, inaugurating his public ministry (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22).

• Temptation in the Wilderness: Jesus is tempted by Satan in the wilderness for forty days (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13).

• Calling of the Disciples: Jesus calls his first disciples, including Peter, Andrew, James, and John (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11).

• Early Miracles and Teachings: Jesus performs miracles, such as turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11) and delivering the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

Public Ministry and Outreach (c. 30 AD/CE - c. 33 AD/CE):

• Healing and Miracles: Jesus performs numerous healings, exorcisms, and other miracles, demonstrating his authority over sickness, nature, and spiritual forces.

• Teaching and Parables: Jesus teaches in parables, using everyday examples to convey spiritual truths about the Kingdom of God.

• Opposition and Controversy: Jesus faces opposition from religious leaders, who challenge his authority and teachings.

• Final Journey to Jerusalem: Jesus makes his final journey to Jerusalem, where he knows he will face arrest, trial, and crucifixion.

• Passion Week: Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly on Palm Sunday, institutes the Last Supper with his disciples, prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, is betrayed by Judas, and endures trial, crucifixion, death, and burial.

• Resurrection: Jesus rises from the dead on the third day, conquering sin and death and appearing to his disciples and many others for forty days (Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21).

Ascension and Post-Resurrection Ministry (c. 33 AD/CE - onwards):

• Ascension: Jesus ascends into heaven forty days after his resurrection, promising to send the Holy Spirit to empower his followers (Acts 1:1-11).

• Outpouring of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples at Pentecost, empowering them to proclaim the gospel boldly (Acts 2:1-4).

• Spread of Christianity: The apostles and early disciples spread the message of Jesus Christ throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, establishing churches and enduring persecution.

• Second Coming: Christians await the future return of Jesus Christ, when he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and to establish his eternal kingdom.