Part I:
The
Early Years of Jesus and John the Baptist
John’s
Birth Foretold to Zechariah (Luke 1:5-25)
There was a
priest named Zechariah and his wife’s name was Elizabeth. They both served God
but they had no children in their old age. So he was in the temple offering up
incense when he saw an angel of the Lord. Zechariah was afraid but the angel
comforted him and says that his wife will have a son and his name will be John.
He also says that the boy will be a Nazarene and will have the spirit and power
of Elijah. He will bring people back to the Lord and will prepare the way for
the Lord. Zechariah being doubtful complained that he and his wife are too old.
The angel identifies himself as Gabriel and says that Zechariah will not speak
nor hear until his son is born. After a while, the people marveled that he took
so long in the temple and concluded that he had a vision. He went home and
Elizabeth conceived.
Jesus’
Birth Foretold to Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
Gabriel
appeared to a young maiden in Nazareth named Mary. She was engaged to a man
named Joseph. Gabriel praises Mary saying she is blessed among women. Then
Gabriel tells Mary to not be afraid for she will conceive and bear a Son whose
name will be Jesus Christ. He will be great and will be called the Son of God.
Mary says that she is a virgin but Gabriel says that the Holy Spirit will come
upon her and cause her to conceive the Son of God. Gabriel also tells her news
that her cousin Elizabeth is pregnant in her old age and that nothing is
impossible for God. Mary submits to the will of God and Gabriel leaves.
Mary’s
Visit to Elizabeth/
Mary’s Song of Joy
(Luke 1:39-56)
Mary goes and
visits her cousin Elizabeth in a city in Judea. Elizabeth heard Mary’s
greeting and the baby in Elizabeth leaped for joy. Elizabeth was filled with the
Holy Spirit. Elizabeth acknowledges Mary as the mother of her Lord and tells her
about her baby leaping for joy at Mary’s greeting. Mary then sings a song of
joy saying that her soul magnifies the Lord for regarding her lowly state, and
that all generations will call her blessed.
John’s
Birth/
Zechariah Prophetic Song/
John’s Early Life
(Luke 1:57-79)
John was born
and the neighbors and relatives rejoiced with Elizabeth for God’s mercy. Eight
days later, John was circumcised and the neighbors and relatives expected the
baby to be named after the father but Elizabeth intervenes and says his name is
John and Zechariah confirms that his name is John. Then suddenly Zechariah was
not mute anymore and he praised God. The people had fear and wondered what kind
of child will this be? Then Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and
prophesied about the gift of salvation through the Messiah and the prophetic
ministry of John as the forerunner to the Messiah. John grew and was strong in
the spirit and he lived in the desert.
Circumstances
of Jesus’ Birth Explained to Joseph
(Matthew 1:18-25)
Mary was with
child and Joseph did not want to expose her. An angel comforted him in his
dreams saying that Joseph should not be worried to take Mary as his wife, for
the Holy thing inside her is conceived by the Holy Spirit. Mary will bring forth
a Son and will call him Jesus for He will save His people from their sins.
Joseph aroused from sleep and took Mary as his wife. He did not know her (have
sex) until she brought forth her firstborn Son, Jesus.
Birth
of Jesus/
Witness of the Shepherds
(Luke 2:1-20)
Caesar
Augustus had a decree that the entire world should be registered. Joseph took
his wife Mary to register in Bethlehem. Mary brought forth Jesus and wrapped him
in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them
in the inn. Outside of Bethlehem, an angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds and
they were afraid. The angel said that this day in the city of David a savior is
born, who is Christ the Lord. He will be a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths
lying in a manger. A multitude of angels appeared singing “Glory to God in the
highest and on earth, peace, and goodwill toward men!” The shepherds then went
to Bethlehem. They saw the child and returned glorifying and praising God for
the things they had heard and seen.
Circumcision
of Jesus/
Jesus Presented in the Temple
(Luke 2:21-39)
Eight days
after Jesus was born, he was circumcised and was named Jesus. Forty Days later,
Jesus was presented in the temple to the Lord and to offer a sacrifice a pair of
Turtledoves or two young pigeons. Simon saw Jesus and revealed that he can see
death now that he saw God’s Messiah. He prophesied that the child is destined
for the rise and fall of many in Israel and a sword will pierce Mary’s heart,
i.e. Jesus death on the cross. Anna, a prophetess, saw the Redeemer also.
Visit
of the Magi/
Flight into Egypt/
New Home in Nazareth
(Matthew 2:1-23; Luke 2:40)
After Jesus
was born, wise men came from the East to Jerusalem. They questioned where is He
who has been born King of the Jews? They followed His star from the East with a
purpose to worship Him. The chief priests told Herod that the Messiah would be
born in Bethlehem. Herod was troubled by this and asked the wise men to bring
the child so he can worship Him. The wise men went to Bethlehem and the star
stood over the house of Mary and Joseph. They went in and fell down worshipping
the child. They gave the child gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. After
they were divinely warned in a dream to not return to Herod but travel a
different path to their country. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a
dream telling him to go to Egypt until God tells him to leave. They went to
Egypt. After the wise men didn’t return, Herod was angry and ordered the
slaughtering of all male infants under two years of age in Bethlehem. After
Herod was dead, an angel of the Lord told Joseph to leave Egypt. Joseph was
afraid to go to Jerusalem so he departed for Nazareth where the child grew and
became strong in the spirit, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was upon Him.
Jesus
First Passover in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-52)
Jesus was
twelve years old so he went to Jerusalem at Passover according to the customs.
When Joseph and Mary returned to Nazareth, they didn’t know that Jesus
didn’t return with them. They looked among their relatives and friends
thinking He would be there. He wasn’t there so they went back to Jerusalem.
They found Him in the temple listening and asking questions to the teachers. And
all that heard Him were astonished at the knowledge of His understanding and
answers. Mary being upset asks Jesus why has He done this. Jesus replies that He
must be about His Father’s business. And He went with them to Nazareth where
He grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.
Copyright
© 2001 by STAT