Reason to preach #1 Youth of Christ

Bible class of 2020 May 27

Reason for Proclaiming or Testifying

Youth of Christ

At the beginning of this time calculation, there was a Nazarene Jewish man who went on foot and in a boat, from one place to another. Before he started his public life he had spent a lot of time with his Essene family, studying the Torah and praying to the God of Abraham. Yearly he also had gone with his parents to the temple in Jerusalem and over there, he surprised many with his fluent speaking about the words of the Torah, the Words of God. Many wondered what for goods could come out of Nazareth. Nazareth was not historically prominent, though near to two principal trade routes. It may have been looked down upon by many Jews.

“ And Nathanael said unto him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.” (Joh 1:46 ASV)

The man who was born in Bethlehem and grown up in Nazareth, spent his childhood in quite humble circumstances and though he knew how people looked down at Essene and Nazarene people, he was not afraid as cleaned up urchin (all dressed up for Pesach) to preach in the temple. The young child had continued growing and getting strong, being filled with wisdom which he knew came from above, from his heavenly Father. From Scriptures, we know that God’s favour continued upon him.

“ And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.” (Lu 2:40 ASV)

Jesus engaged in a discussion with the Jewish teachers that left them amazed, is the only incident of his early life recounted in some detail. Jesus’ reply to his worried parents when they located him in the temple, after they had anxiously searched for him in the caravan on the return from Jerusalem, shows that Jesus knew the miraculous nature of his birth and realized his Messianic future.

“41   And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. 42  And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; 43  and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; 44  but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: 45  and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. 46  And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions: 47  and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48  And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. 49  And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father’s house? 50  And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51  And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52  And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (Lu 2:41-52 ASV)

While among the family in Nazareth, Jesus evidently did not make a showy display of his wisdom and superiority as a perfect human, as is perhaps indicated by the fact that his half-brothers did not exercise faith in him during his ministry as a human, as well as by the disbelief most of the population of Nazareth showed toward him.

“1   And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judaea, because the Jews sought to kill him. 2  Now the feast of the Jews, the feast of tabernacles, was at hand. 3  His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may behold thy works which thou doest. 4  For no man doeth anything in secret, and himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou doest these things, manifest thyself to the world. 5  For even his brethren did not believe on him.” (Joh 7:1-5 ASV)

“ And he went out from thence; and he cometh into his own country; and his disciples follow him.” (Mr 6:1 ASV)

“4  And Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 5  And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6  And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages teaching.” (Mr 6:4-6 ASV)

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Reason to preach #2 Public life of Jesus

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Additional reading

1. Who was Jesus?
2. The Beginning of the life of Jesus Christ
3. Jesus begotten Son of God #14 Beloved Preminent Son and Mediator originating in Mary
4. Nazarene Commentary Luke 1:67-80 – Zechariah’s Prophecy
5. Jesus begotten Son of God #18 Believing in inhuman or human person
6. Jesus begotten Son of God #19 Compromising fact
7. Jesus is the Son of God but Not God the Son
8. Yeshua a man with a special personality
9. A man with an outstanding personality
10. An unblemished and spotless lamb foreknown
11. No Other Name (But Jesus)
12. Jesus begotten Son of God #16 Prophet to be heard
13. Matthew 2:19-23 – Out of Egypt to Nazareth
14. The place where Jesus was brought up
15. Childhood home of Jesus
16. Nazarene Commentary Luke 2:39-40 – The Young Child Grows
17. Nazarene Commentary Luke 2:41-50 – Twelve Year Old Jesus in the Temple
18. Today’s thought “Having learning when he has never studied” (April 15)
19. Memorizing wonderfully 51 Acts 2:22-38 Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God
20. Tel Rechesh and other synagogues where Jesus delivered sermons
21. Matthew 13:53-58 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Where Did He Get Such Wisdom?
22. Rome still rules the shadowy old world order
23. Omniscient God opposite a not knowing Jesus