JESUS OF NAZARETH.

      (1). Promises and prophecies relating to Him. The promises and prophecies relating to the Messiah are numerous: (a) The intimation that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head (Gen., 3:14, 15; Rom., 16:20); (b) the promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Gen., 12:1-3; 26:1-5; 28:10-15; Gal., 3:16; Heb., 11:8, 9); (c) the prediction of Jacob (Gen., 49:1, 8-10; Heb., 2:14; Rev., 5:15); (d) the prophecy of Moses (Deut., 18:15, 18; Acts, 3:22); (e) David's prediction of his resurrection (Ps., 16:8-11; Acts, 2:25-28) and triumph (Ps., 110:1-4; Acts, 2:34, 35); (f) Isaiah predicted that he would be born of a virgin (Isa., 7:14; Matt., 1:18-25), the greatness of his kingdom (Isa., 9:6, 7; Luke, 1:32, 33), his humiliation and sufferings (Isa., 53:1-10; Acts, 8:30-33), and his proclamation of the acceptable year of [200] the Lord (Isa., 51:14; Luke, 4:14-21); (g) the prediction of his birth place (Mich., 5:2; Matt., 2:6); (h) the prediction of his betrayal (Zech., 11:10-14; Matt., 27:3-10).

      (2). His ancestry. Jesus, according to the flesh, was the son of David (I. Kings, 8:24, 25; 11:11-13; Ps., 132:11; Matt., 1:1-17; Acts, 2:25-30).

      (3). His birth. Jesus was born of the virgin Mary in the city of Bethlehem (Luke, 2:1-28).

      (4). Early life. On account of the decree of Herod, Joseph took the young child and his mother and fled into Egypt, where they remained until Archelaus succeeded his father, after which they returned to Nazareth and resided there (Matt., 2:1-23). Nothing is recorded of Him until He was twelve years old, when he was able to confound the doctors of the law by His wisdom (Luke, 2:40-51). Joseph was a carpenter, and Jesus learned the trade and followed it in the city of Nazareth (Matt., 13:55; Mark, 6:3; Luke, 2:39).

      (5). His baptism. Jesus came from Nazareth to Jordan and was baptized by John, and as he came up out of the water His Father acknowledged Him and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him (Matt., 3:13-17).

      (6). The temptation and triumph. Immediately after His baptism He was led away into the wilderness and tempted by the devil. He was tempted "in all points"--the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life--but He signally triumphed in every particular (Gen., 3:6; Matt., 3:1-11; I. John, 2:16).

      (7). Introduction to Israel. Jesus was subsequently introduced to Israel by John, His forerunner (John, 1:29-36).

      (8). Public [201] ministry. He immediately entered upon his public ministry. His work was twofold: He administered to the needs of both mind (Matt., 4:17) and body (Matt., 14:13-21). He announced that the kingdom of God was at hand (Matt., 4:17), and that he was only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt., 15:24).

      (9). Manner of teaching. He taught the multitude by parables in order to hide from them His true mission until the time ordained by His Father (Matt., 13:33-35).

      (10). The parables. Parables of Jesus stand unapproachable and unapproached in the history of man. There are thirty-one of them^*, and they are divided into three classes: (a) Those which relate to His Kingdom, its growth, characteristics and triumphs. The sower (Matt., 13:1, 2; Mark, 4:1-20; Luke, 8:1-18); the wheat and the tares (Matt., 13:24-30); the mustard seed (Matt., 13:31, 32; Mark, 4:31, 32); the seed planted in the ground (Mark, 4:26-29); the leaven (Matt., 13:33); the concealed treasure (Matt., 13:44); the pearl of great value (Matt., 13:47-50); the casting of the net into the sea (Matt., 13:47-50). (b) Those which relate primarily to the lives of men, which were given in answer to inquiries: The two debtors (Luke, 7:40-43); the merciless servant (Matt., 18:23-35); the good Samaritan (Luke, 10:25-37); the friend at midnight (Luke, 11:5-13); the rich fool (Luke, 12:16-21); the wedding feast (Luke, 12:36-38); the fig tree (Luke, 13:6-9); the great supper (Luke, 14:16-24); the prodigal son (Luke, 15:11-32); the unjust steward (Luke, 16:1-12); the rich man and Lazarus [202] (Luke, 16:19-31); the unjust judge (Luke, 18:1-17); the Pharisee and the Publican (Luke, 18:9-14); the laborers in the vineyard (Matt., 20:1-16). (c) Those which are prophetic in character, and find their fulfillment in the rejection of Israel and ultimately in the second coming of the Lord: The pounds (Luke, 19:11-27); the two sons (Matt., 21:28-32); the vineyard let out to husbandmen (Matt., 21:33-46; Mark, 12:1-12; Luke, 20:9-18); the marriage feast (Matt., 22:1-13); the wise and foolish virgins (Matt., 25:1-13); the talents (Matt., 25:14-30); the sheep and the goats (Matt., 25:31-46).

      (11). Discourses. The principal discourses of Jesus were, (a) His conversation with Nicodemus (John, 3:1-15); (b) His conversation with the woman of Samaria at Jacob's well (John, 4:1-26); (c) His address in the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke, 4:16-30); (d) the sermon on the mount (Matt., 5:1-48; 6:1-34; 7:1-29); (e) charge of the apostles (Matt., 10:1-42); (f) He pronounced the doom on Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum (Matt., 11:20-24); (g) discourse after healing the infirm man at Bethesda (John, 5:1-47); (h) He defended His disciples after they plucked the corn on the sabbath day (Matt., 12:1-19); (i) He defended Himself when the Pharisees accused Him of being in collusion with Beelzebub, the prince of devils, announcing to them that attributing His works to this source was a sin against the Holy Spirit that would never be forgiven (Matt., 12:23-32; Mark, 3:22-30); (j) the discourse on the Bread of life (John, 6:25-61); (k) He discussed internal [203] purity (Matt., 15:1-20); (l) He emphasized the necessity to forgive injuries (Matt., 18:21-35); (m) the discourse at the feast of tabernacles (John, 7:1-44); (n) He condemned the accusers of the woman who was taken in adultery (John, 8:1-11); (o) He declared himself to be the shepherd of the sheep (John, 10:1-42); (p) He denounced his contemporaries for their wickedness (Luke, 11:29-36); (q) He discussed humility (Luke, 14:7-14); (r) He marked out the way to everlasting life (Matt., 19:27-30); (s) He predicted his sufferings (Matt., 19:17-19); (t) He denounced the Pharisees with great severity (Matt., 23:1-36); (u) He foretold the destruction of Jerusalem (Matt., 24:1-35); (v) His words of comfort to his disciples (John, 14:1-31; 15:1-27; 16:1-33); (w) His wonderful prayer (John, 17:1-26); (x) His remarks on the way to Gethsemane (Matt., 26:31-36) (y) and the last and great Commission (Matt., 28:16-20).

      (12). His miracles. The miracles performed by Jesus were, (a) He changed the water into wine (John, 2:1-11); (b) He cured the nobleman's son (John, 4:46, 47); (c) the great draught of fishes (Luke, 5:1-11); (d) He cast out an unclean spirit (Mark, 1:23-28); (e) He cured Peter's mother-in-law of a fever (Mark, 1:30, 31); (f) He healed a leper (Mark, 1:40-45); (g) He healed the servant of the centurion (Matt., 8:5-13); (h) He raised the widow's son from the dead (Luke, 7:11-18); (i) He stilled the storm (Matt., 8:23-27); (j) He cured two demoniacs (Matt., 8:28-34); (k) He cured a man of palsy (Matt., 9:1-8); (l) He raised the ruler's daughter [204] from the dead (Matt., 9:18-26); (m) He cured a woman of an issue of blood (Luke, 8:43-48); (n) He opened the eyes of two blind men (Matt., 9:27-31); (o) He loosened the tongue of a dumb man (Matt., 9:32, 33); (p) He healed an impotent man at Bethesda (John, 5:1-9); (q) He restored a withered hand (Matt., 12:10-13); (r) He cured a man who was possessed of a devil (Matt., 12:22); (s) He fed five thousand people (Matt., 14:15-21); (t) He healed a woman of Canaan (Matt., 15:22-28); (u) He cured a deaf and dumb man (Mark, 7:31-37); (v) He fed four thousand people (Matt., 15:32-39); (w) He opened the eyes of a blind man (Mark, 8:22-26); (x) He cured a boy who was vexed with a devil (Matt., 17:14-21); (y) He opened the eyes of a man born blind (John, 11:1-38); (z) He cured a woman who had been afflicted eighteen years (Luke, 17:11-17); (a) He cured a man of dropsy (Luke, 14:1-4); (b) He cleansed ten lepers (Luke, 17:11-19); (c) He raised Lazarus from the dead (John, 11:1-46); (d) He opened the eyes of two blind men (Matt., 20:30-34); (e) He caused the fig tree to wither (Matt., 21:18-22); (f) He restored the ear of the high priest's servant (Luke, 22:50, 51); (g) the second great draught of fishes (John, 21:1-14).

      (13). His poverty. Jesus never owned any of the goods of this world--not even a place to lay his head (Matt., 8:20; II. Cor., 8:19).

      (14). His unselfishness. Jesus came not to be ministered unto, but to help the needy (Matt., 18:11; 21:28).

      (15). His glorious invitation. He invites all the suffering and sorrowing sons and [205] daughters of earth to come to Him for life and rest (Matt., 11:28-30; John, 10:10; Heb., 2:9; Rev., 22:17).

      (16). The Holy Spirit promised. Jesus promised the Apostles the Holy Spirit, assuring them that He would, (a) comfort them; (b) dwell in them (John, 14:16, 17); (c) teach them all things; (d) bring all his teachings to their remembrance (John, 14:26); (e) testify of Jesus (John, 15:26, 27); (f) convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (John, 16:7-11); (g) and speak through them (Matt., 10:15-20).

      (17). The last supper. On the night of his betrayal, Jesus instituted a supper to be kept in memory of him--his death and sufferings (Matt., 26:26-30). It was designed, (a) to keep Him enshrined in the hearts of His disciples to the end of time; (b) to proclaim His death until he comes again (I. Cor., 11:23-29).

      (18). Agony in the garden. After the supper Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane where, under the mighty weight of the world's sins, He cried to His Father to let the cup of sorrow and suffering pass, but expressed his willingness to submit to the terrible ordeal (Luke, 22:39-46).

      (19). Betrayal. Jesus was betrayed by one of His Apostles, Judas Iscariot (Luke, 22:47, 48).

      (20). His trial. The trial of Jesus was the most consummate farce in the annals of the world. He was carried from court to court (Matt., 26:5-75; Luke, 23:1-12), and finally condemned to die without the establishment of a single charge against him (Luke, 23:13-26).

      (21). Crucifixion. Jesus was crucified between two malefactors, forsaken of God and [206] man (Luke, 23:27-48).

      (22). Sayings on the cross. The utterances of Jesus on the cross were, (a) His prayer to God in behalf of His tormentors (Matt., 23:34); (b) His reply to the dying thief (Luke, 23:39-43); (c) He requested the disciple whom He loved to take care of His mother (John, 19:25-27); (d) He prayed to God, asking why He had been forsaken (Matt., 27:45-47); (e) He said that He was thirsty (John, 19:28); (f) He declared that it was finished (John, 19:30); (g) He commended His Spirit into the hands of His Father (Luke, 23:46).

      (23). His death. Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures (Rom., 5:10; I. Cor., 15:3; Gal., 2:20; I. Pet., 2:24, 25).

      (24). Burial and resurrection. He was buried in the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea (Mark, 15:43-47), and raised again for our justification (Mark, 16:1-8; Rom., 4:25).

      (25). His incredulous apostles. The apostles of Jesus received the news of the resurrection with incredulity--as idle tales (Luke, 24:10, 11).

      (26). Appearances after the resurrection. After Jesus arose again He spent forty days on earth, demonstrating His identity by infallible proofs, and He instructed His apostles in the things pertaining to the kingdom of God (Acts, 1:1-3). He was seen by, (a) Mary Magdalene (Mark, 16:9-11; John, 20:11); (b) the other women who were returning from the tomb (Matt., 28:1-10); (c) Peter, the apostle (Luke, 24:34; I. Cor., 15:5); (d) the two disciples going to Emmaus (Luke, 24:13-32); (e) the eleven apostles as they sat at meat (Mark, 16:14); [207] (f) the apostles the second time (John, 20:26-29); (g) seven disciples at the sea of Tiberias (John, 21:1); (h) the eleven disciples in a mountain in Galilee (Matt., 28:16); (i) five hundred brethren at one time (I. Cor., 15:6); (j) James (I. Cor., 15:7); (k) and all the apostles at the ascension (Luke, 24:50-52; Acts, 1:1-12).

      (27). The ascension. After Jesus had committed the words of reconciliation to the apostles (II. Cor., 5:17-21). He led them out as far as Bethany, blessed them and ascended to His Father's right hand (Luke, 24:49-53; Acts, 1:9-11).

      (28). His character. In contemplating the character we should note that He is the second Adam (I. Cor., 15:45); Advocate (I. John, 2:1); the ancient of days (Dan., 7:22); Apostle (Heb., 3:1); Author and Finisher of the faith (Heb., 12:2); Beginning of the creation of God (Rev., 3:14); Only begotten of the Father (John, 1:14); Beginning and End (Rev., 1:8); Shepherd and Bishop (I. Pet., 2:25); Bread of Life (John, 6:48-51); Bridegroom (Matt., 9:15); Bright Morning Star (Rev., 22:16); Brightness of the Father's glory (Heb., 1:3); Brother (Heb., 2:11); Captain (Rev., 2:10); The Chosen (Matt., 12:18); Christ (Matt., 1:16); Consolation of Israel (Luke, 2:25); Corner Stone (Eph., 2:20); Counsellor (Isa., 9:6); Day Star (II. Pet., 1:19); Deliverer (Rom., 11:26); Desire of all nations (Hag., 2:7); Door of the sheep (John, 10:7); Emmanuel (Matt., 1:23); Friend (John, 11:1-44); Eternal Life (I. John, 5:20); Everlasting Father (Isa., 9:6); Express image of the Father (Heb., 1:3); Faithful Witness (Rev., 1:5); First fruits [208] from the dead (I. Cor., 15:23); Fountain (Zech., 13:1); Governor (Matt., 2:6); Head of the Church (Col., 1:18); High Priest (Heb., 3:1); Holy One of God (Mark, 1:24); Heir of all things (Heb., 1:2); Judge (Acts, 17:31); King (Acts, 2:34-36; Rev., 19:11-16); Light of the world (John, 9:5); Life (John, 14:6); Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev., 5:1-5); Master (Matt., 8:19); Mediator (I. Tim., 2:5); Messiah (Dan., 9:25); Passover (I. Cor., 5:7); Potentate (I. Tim., 6:15); Prince of peace (Isa., 9:6); Prince of life (Acts, 3:15); Prophet (Luke, 13:33; John, 7:40); Propitiation (I. John, 2:2); Power of God (I. Cor., 1:24); Physician (Matt., 9:12); Ransom (I. Tim., 2:6); Refiner and Purifier (Mal., 1:13); Sacrifice (Eph., 5:2); Salvation (Luke, 2:25-30); Son of God (Matt., 4:3); Son of Man (Matt., 8:20); Son of Righteousness (Mal., 4:2); Surety (Heb., 7:22); Teacher (John, 3:2); Testator (Heb., 9:14-17); Truth (John, 14:6); The Way (John, 14:6); Wedding Garment (Matt., 22:12); Wisdom of God (I. Cor., 1:24); Wonderful (Isa., 9:6); Word of God (Rev., 19:10-13).

      (29). Important fact. Jesus lived and died under the law (Matt., 27:51; Rom., 7:4; Eph., 2:13-15).

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