Jesus of Nazareth

QUESTION: Who was Jesus of Nazareth?

ANSWER:

Jesus of Nazareth was born in the town of Bethlehem, as most of world knows from the story of “The Nativity,” the basis for the celebration of Christmas. Jesus of Nazareth is the foundation of Christianity and by the Messianic Jewish people who proclaim Him to be the Messiah.

Being declared the Son of God, He was conceived in the womb of Mary, a virgin, by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-35). The angel Gabriel told Mary she was “highly favored and the Lord was with her.” The biblical New Testament books of Matthew and Luke give account of His birth after Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the purpose of the region’s census taking. There was “no room at the inn,” so Jesus was born in a stable.

Nazareth was in Galilee which lies between the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River in northern Israel. Shepherds were in a nearby field when “An angel of the Lord shone around them…” and said “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:8-11) They were to go to Bethlehem where they were told they would find the baby wrapped in cloths lying in a manger. After seeing the baby and his parents “the shepherds returned, glorifying God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told” (Luke 2:20).

The ministry of Jesus of Nazareth actually began at the early age of 12 when He was found in the Temple answering the questions of Rabbis and teachers. His miracles are found in all four Gospels beginning with turning water into wine at a wedding.

The four Gospels record in excess of 37 miracles of Jesus during His travels with the book of John claiming there were many more. In fact, he said “If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” (John 21:25)

The ministry of Jesus entails many messages about how to live a righteous life and deal with the adversities or trials we all may endure. He sometimes spoke in parables which can enable people to relate the story to actual daily life even today. Jesus taught large crowds that gathered and followed Him from regions to towns to hillsides. Some of the many topics Jesus of Nazareth taught were about love, trust, worry, lust, and caring for the needy. Certainly His most important message is about your acceptance of Him and forgiveness.

He came to the world to offer us salvation. Our unrepentant sins mean eternal death, but Jesus was God’s sacrifice to atone for our sins. It is by His love that we can be forgiven and have a restoration of relationship with Him. If you have not repented from your sins, ask Him today for His abundant mercy and grace.