Jesus Christ

Jesus is born to the virgin Mary in Bethlehem during a Roman census. Angels announce His birth to shepherds who come to worship. He is laid in a manger because there was no room in the inn. The Magi later arrive, guided by a star, presenting gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Joseph is warned in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus because Herod seeks to kill the child. They remain in Egypt until Herod's death, fulfilling the prophecy 'Out of Egypt I called my son.' Herod massacres the infants of Bethlehem.

After Herod's death, the family returns from Egypt and settles in Nazareth of Galilee. Jesus grows up as the son of a carpenter, learning the trade. He increases in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

At age twelve, Jesus amazes the teachers in the Jerusalem temple with His understanding and answers during the Passover feast. When found by His parents after three days, He says He must be about His Father's business. He returns to Nazareth and remains obedient to them.

Jesus comes to John the Baptist at the Jordan River to be baptized. Though John protests, Jesus insists to fulfill all righteousness. As He rises from the water, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father's voice declares: 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'

Led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Jesus fasts forty days and nights. Satan tempts Him three times: to turn stones to bread, to throw Himself from the temple, and to worship Satan for worldly kingdoms. Jesus resists each temptation by quoting Scripture. Angels come and minister to Him.

Jesus calls His first disciples by the Sea of Galilee. Andrew and another disciple first follow Him after John the Baptist's testimony. Andrew brings his brother Simon, whom Jesus names Peter. Philip and Nathanael also join. Jesus promises to make them fishers of men.

At a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, Jesus performs His first public miracle by turning water into wine. When the wine runs out, Mary informs Jesus, who instructs servants to fill jars with water. The water becomes excellent wine, revealing His glory to His disciples.

Jesus enters the Jerusalem temple and drives out the money changers and merchants with a whip of cords. He overturns tables and declares, 'Do not make my Father's house a house of trade.' When asked for a sign, He prophesies: 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,' speaking of His body.

Jesus makes Capernaum His ministry headquarters. He teaches in synagogues with authority, proclaiming the kingdom of God. He calls the twelve apostles, heals multitudes of sick, casts out demons, and performs countless miracles. Great crowds follow Him from all regions.

Jesus delivers His most famous teaching on a mountainside in Galilee. He pronounces the Beatitudes, teaches about the law's true meaning, instructs on prayer including the Lord's Prayer, warns against hypocrisy, and concludes with the parable of wise and foolish builders. The crowds are astonished at His authority.

Jesus performs countless miracles throughout His ministry: healing lepers, giving sight to the blind, making the lame walk, casting out demons, calming storms, walking on water, and feeding thousands with a few loaves and fish. These signs reveal His divine authority over nature, sickness, and evil.

Jesus appoints twelve apostles and sends them out with authority to preach, heal the sick, and cast out demons. He gives them instructions for their mission, warning of persecution but promising the Father's care. They go throughout the villages proclaiming the kingdom.

Near the Sea of Galilee, Jesus feeds over five thousand men plus women and children with five loaves and two fish. After giving thanks, He distributes the food through His disciples. Twelve baskets of fragments remain. The crowd wants to make Him king by force, but He withdraws.

After feeding the multitude, Jesus sends the disciples across the sea while He prays alone on a mountain. In the fourth watch of the night, He walks on the water toward their storm-tossed boat. Peter attempts to walk to Him but begins sinking. Jesus rescues him and calms the storm.

At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asks His disciples who people say He is. Then He asks who they say He is. Peter declares, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus blesses him and promises to build His church on this rock, giving him the keys of the kingdom.

Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain where He is transfigured before them. His face shines like the sun and His clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear, speaking of His departure to be accomplished in Jerusalem. A cloud overshadows them and the Father's voice speaks: 'This is my beloved Son; listen to Him.'

Jesus teaches His disciples about the cost of following Him. He predicts His suffering, death, and resurrection multiple times, though they do not understand. He teaches that whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for His sake will find it.

Jesus' friend Lazarus dies in Bethany. Jesus delays two days, then goes to Judea despite danger. He declares, 'I am the resurrection and the life.' At the tomb, Jesus weeps, then commands Lazarus to come out. Lazarus emerges alive after four days, and many believe. The religious leaders plot Jesus' death.

Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy. Crowds spread cloaks and palm branches on the road, shouting 'Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' The whole city is stirred. Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, knowing its coming destruction.

During His final week, Jesus teaches daily in the temple. He cleanses the temple again, debates with religious leaders who try to trap Him, pronounces woes on the scribes and Pharisees, and delivers the Olivet Discourse about the destruction of Jerusalem and His second coming.

On Thursday evening, Jesus celebrates the Passover with His disciples in an upper room. He washes their feet as an example of humble service. He institutes the Lord's Supper, identifying the bread as His body and the cup as His blood of the new covenant. He gives the new commandment to love one another and delivers the Farewell Discourse.

After the supper, Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives with His disciples. In great anguish, He prays three times, 'Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.' His sweat becomes like drops of blood. An angel strengthens Him.

Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, and soldiers arrest Him while the disciples flee. Jesus is tried before Annas, then Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, who condemn Him for blasphemy. Peter denies Him three times. In the morning, Jesus appears before Pilate, then Herod, then Pilate again. Though Pilate finds no guilt, the crowd demands crucifixion.

Jesus is flogged, mocked with a crown of thorns and purple robe, and forced to carry His cross to Golgotha. He is crucified between two criminals at the third hour. He speaks seven words from the cross, including 'Father, forgive them,' 'It is finished,' and 'Into your hands I commit my spirit.' Darkness covers the land. At the ninth hour, Jesus dies. The temple veil tears from top to bottom.

Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple, asks Pilate for Jesus' body. With Nicodemus, he wraps the body in linen cloths with spices and places it in his own new tomb cut from rock. A great stone is rolled across the entrance. The chief priests secure the tomb with a guard and seal.

On the third day, early Sunday morning, an earthquake occurs as an angel rolls away the stone. The guards become like dead men. Women arriving at the tomb find it empty. Angels announce, 'He is not here; He has risen!' Jesus appears first to Mary Magdalene, then to other women, to Peter, to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and to the gathered disciples.

Over forty days, the risen Jesus appears to His disciples multiple times. He shows them His wounds, eats with them, teaches them about the kingdom, and opens their minds to understand the Scriptures. He appears to over 500 brothers at once. He restores Peter with three questions of love and commissions him to feed His sheep.

Jesus commissions His disciples: 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'

Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus leads His disciples to the Mount of Olives near Bethany. After blessing them and promising the Holy Spirit's power, He is lifted up and a cloud takes Him from their sight. Two angels appear saying, 'This same Jesus will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.' He sits at the right hand of the Father.