The Life of Jesus
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Jesus Goes in the Evening to Bethany
This painting depicts Jesus walking in solitude toward Bethany, the village where He found rest and friendship in the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. It offers a quiet glimpse of the Savior’s humanity and humility, reminding us that the King of Glory walked among us, seeking not status but hearts prepared to receive Him.
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Jesus is the single most important person in all of human history. His name is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, which means God saves. Jesus’ name helps us understand His life’s purpose Matthew 1:21. The title of Christ is often included after Jesus’ name in the New Testament. Christ corresponds to the Hebrew word Messiah or anointed one, referring to anointing someone for kingship. This title of Christ identifies Jesus as the predicted Messiah or King, which the Old Testament writers prophesied God would send.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just south of Jerusalem, during the reign of the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus around 5 BC. The Apostle Paul refers to God’s sending his Son Jesus in “the fullness of time” or at the appropriate historical moment Galatians 4:4. He was born of Mary, a virgin who was pledged to marry Joseph, a carpenter Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-38. His birth was announced to local shepherds by the heavenly angels Luke 2:8–20. Sometime after Jesus’ birth, wise men from the east came to Bethlehem to worship the “King of the Jews,” bringing gifts with them Matthew 2:1–12. Herod, the regional Roman king, attempted to kill this new baby King, but Joseph fled to Egypt with Mary and the infant Jesus, where they lived until Herod’s death Matthew 2:13–23. Eventually, they returned and settled in Nazareth, in lower Galilee Matthew 2:22-23. When Jesus was twelve, he went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover with his parents. He spent time in the temple with the teachers of the law, and all who heard him were “astonished at his understanding and answers” Luke 2:41-51.
He entered the public ministry at about thirty Luke 3:23. It is generally thought that Jesus’ ministry lasted approximately three years. The Gospel of John gives us a glimpse of Jesus’ first year of ministry in Judea as he slowly emerged into the public’s eye. His second year of ministry was primarily in Galilee and was the year of public favor, during which the whole country had become thoroughly aware of him. His third year of ministry was a year of opposition when some public favor faded and opposition mounted from the teachers and religious leaders of the day. He was eventually betrayed, arrested, falsely convicted, and crucified by the Roman regional leader, Pontius Pilate Matthew 27:1-66. Three days later, he rose from the dead and appeared to many people over the next 40 days before ascending to the Father’s right hand Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:1-9.
