Bible 101

Lesson 7: Jesus, a Man of Prophecy and History

Jesus, a Man of Biblical History

The Bible itself is not glamorous when dealing with Jesus (just as it isn’t glamorous when dealing with any of the men and women it depicts). It tells us that Jesus was conceived by an unwed mother, who was engaged to Joseph, the carpenter. Even though she was pregnant, Joseph decided to marry her and raise Jesus as his own son. At the age of about 27, Jesus, a trained carpenter who lived as a Jew in Palestine in the home of his widowed mother with five sons and at least two, or very likely more, daughters, took up his ministry, and for three years he went about the countryside with his band of followers teaching about the Kingdom of God, preaching, and healing the masses. Not a stranger to controversy, he ruffled many feathers, especially when he made a whip and forcedly removed moneychangers and vendors from the temple. He was brought before Pilate on false charges, and through political maneuvering of the Sanhedrin he was put to death by crucifixion, a death so shameful that it was reserved only for slaves and the worst of criminals. Three days after his death, Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples in the flesh; they were able to touch him, eat and converse with him. Thereafter, he was taken into heaven in front of their eyes. Ever since that day, thousands have willingly and gladly died for their belief in this man. Why?

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