Jesus Christ, His Birth and Youth.

JESUS CHRIST, HIS BIRTH AND YOUTH

INTRODUCTION: With most religions of the world the relationship between the human and the deity may be described as the deity saying, "Be nice to me and do what I say and I will refrain from doing harm to you." In Christianity, the very God who has been offended offers himself, gives his life, to redeem the offenders.
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." Romans 5:8-9.

INCARNATION: Incarnation is the act of Christ leaving Heaven, becoming human and taking up residence on Earth to perform the service required to redeem fallen man, in effect purchasing back what is already his.
"For verily he took not on him the nature of angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore, in all things it behoved him to be made like his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." (Hebrews 2:16-17).

TITLES: A few of the names ascribed to Jesus while on Earth during his incarnation.

Anointed: God's chosen or appointed. Applied to the Messiah. Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18-21
Christ: The anointed. New Testament equivalent of Old Testament name Messiah. John 1:41, John 20:31
Emmanuel: God with us. Alternate spelling Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:23
Jesus: Jehovah is Salvation. Jesus' human name. Matthew 1:21
Lamb of God: The true and final sacrifice for the sins of men. John 1:29
Messiah: The annointed. Christ is the New testament equivalent. Messias is Greek transliteration of Messiah. Daniel 9:25-26, John 1:41, John 4:25-26
Son of God: God the Son now becomes the human Son of God. Luke 1:35. With one exception, the phrase, "Son of God" appears only in the New Testament. In fact, most of the newer translations render Daniel 3:25 as, a son of the gods, which seems reasonable since Nebuchadnezzar, at that point, was a polytheist.
Son of Man: Jesus primary term of reference to himself, emphasizing his humanity. John 3:13-14

Left Heaven behind: Jesus deliberately emptied himself of the glory and honor and power accorded him in Heaven and became a helpless human baby.
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2:5-8.

Born of a virgin: Like begets like. An ordinary human birth would produce an ordinary human. A supernatural human birth produced a human who was also God. Luke the physician records the angel Gabriel's explanation.
"Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." Luke 1:34-35.

Announcement to Zecharias Luke 1:5-25.
Announcement to Mary Luke 1:26-38.
Mary's visit to Elisabeth Luke 1:39-55.
Mary's Return to Nazareth Luke 1:56.
Announcement to Joseph Matthew 1:18-25.
Birth of John The Baptist Luke 1:57-80.
Birth of Jesus Luke 2:1-7.
Announcement to Shepherds Luke 2:8-20.

His childhood and youth: Not much is told us about Jesus' early years. Without a doubt he followed the normal development pattern of a baby, learning to walk and talk and so on, followed by a childhood among a family that protected and nurtured him. We can speculate that his sinless nature caused him to be especially diligent regarding religious training and behavioral development. We know that Mary and Joseph were aware of his unique status, as were Zacharias and Elisabeth, the parents of John the Baptist.
"And the child grew, and waxed (became) strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him." Luke 2:40.

Presentation Luke 2:21-38.
Visit of the wise men (Jesus was 1 to 2 years old at the time) Matthew 2:1-12.
Flight to Egypt Matthew 2:13-15.
Herod's murder of the children Matthew 2:16-18.
Return from Egypt Matthew 2:19-21.
Return to Nazareth Matthew 2:22-23.
Large immediate family Matthew 13:55-56.
Visit to Jerusalem and the temple Luke 2:41-50.
Was subject to his parents Exodus 20:12, Luke 2:51.
Mental and physical develoment Luke 2:52.

Bonus search:

NEXT PAGE: Is Jesus Christ really Messiah?

This page updated 03/09/2006