Birth, Childhood, and Early Life of Jesus

 

Ancient Promises of Deliverance

 

In what promise was a Savior from sin first revealed?

 

So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat the dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Genesis 3:14.15. 

 

Through whom was a restoration of the lost dominion promised to Abraham?

 

“All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever.” Genesis 13:15. 

 

Who was this promised seed?

 

“The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ.” Galatians 3:16.

 

The Birth Of Jesus

 

Where was Christ to be born?

 

“When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.” Matthew 2:4-6. (See Micah 5:2)     

 

Of whom was Christ to be born?

 

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14. 

 

Note – Immanuel means “God with us.” (See Matthew 1:23.)

 

Before He was born, what did the angel say to Joseph concerning the naming of the Child? 

 

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,” because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21.

 

At His birth, what message did the angel bring to the shepherds abiding in the field?

 

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10,11.

 

In what song of praise did the host of angels join?

 

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Verse 13,14.

 

What prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled at Christ’s birth?

 

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.

 

What did the prophet say His name should be called?

 

“And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Verses 6,7. 

 

What did devout Simeon say when he saw Jesus?

 

Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:27-32.

 

How did the aged prophetess Anna express herself at the sight of Jesus? 

 

“Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” Verse 38. 

 

What did the Wise Men of the East do when they found Jesus?

 

“On coming into the house [stable] they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. Matthew 2:11. 

 

Into And Out Of Egypt

 

How did Jesus come to live for a time in Egypt?

 

“When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” Verse 13.

 

How does the revelator describe this satanic desire to destroy Jesus?

 

“His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born.” Revelation 12:4.

 

By what means did Herod seek to destroy Christ?

 

“When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.” Matthew 2:16. 

 

After Herod’s death, where did Joseph and his family live?

 

And he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.” Verse 23.  

 

At Nazareth And Jerusalem

 

What does the Bible say of Christ’s childhood and early life?

 

“And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.” Luke 2: 40, 51.   

 

Upon returning from a feast at Jerusalem, how did Joseph and Mary lose Jesus when He was twelve years old?

 

“Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives, and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.” Verse 44, 45.    

 

Note – This is how many lose Jesus today. They suppose He is in their company, but do not see to it that He is with them personally. Through carelessness it takes but a day to lose Him; but, when once lost, it sometimes takes days of sorrowful searching, as it did Joseph and Mary, to find Him again.

 

What was Jesus doing when they found Him?

“After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions.” Verse 46. 

 

How did His questions and answers impress those who heard Him?

 

“Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.” Verse 47.

 

 With what words do the Scriptures conclude the record of Christ’s early life?

 

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Verse 52.

 

Heaven’s Pattern For Earth’s Youth

 

Christ’s early life is a pattern for all children and youth. It was marked by respect and love for His mother. He was obedient to His parents and kind to all. He hated sin, and to every temptation turned a deaf ear. He sought to understand the reason of things, and so increased in knowledge and wisdom. He was sympathetic and tenderhearted, ever ready to relieve the oppressed, the sorrowing, and the suffering. If we love Christ, we shall love to talk of Him; our sweetest thoughts will be of Him; and by beholding Him we shall be changed into the same image.

 

All praise to Thee, eternal Lord,

Clothed in a garb of flesh and blood;

Choosing a manger for Thy throne,

While worlds on worlds are Thine alone!

 

Once did the skies before Thee bow;

A virgin’s arms contain Thee now:

Angels, who did in Thee rejoice,

Now listen to Thine infant voice.

 

A little child, Thou art our guest,

That weary ones in Thee may rest;

Forlorn and lowly is Thy birth,

That we may rise to heaven from earth.

 

Thou comest in the darksome night,

To make us children of the light;

To make us, in realms divine,

Like Thine own angels round Thee shine.

 

All this for us Thy love hath done,

By this to Thee our Life is won;

For this we tune our cheerful lays,

And tell our thanks on songs and praise.

                                  - Martin Luther.

 

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