Jesus Christ of Nazareth (I)

Introduction

This piece of writing briefly details the life of Christ from birth to His death. This does not seek to exhaust the topic but to highlight some key details about His birth and His name “Jesus of Nazareth”.

Prophesy about His Birth

“Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isa 7:14).

The prophecy is that the Christ shall be conceived and born by a virgin. It does not say by any young woman as the word sometimes suggests. Matthew is very emphatic about the virgin birth of Christ. He carefully quotes the above prophecy in the first chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, the twenty-third verse.

In fact, denying the virgin birth of Christ Jesus is a complete apostasy and a denial of the foundation of the Christian faith. This virgin birth of the Messiah is beyond human knowledge but it is possible for God to do it because He is the Omnipotent God and He makes the impossibilities possible.

The prophecy was fulfilled through the virgin, Mary (read Luk 1:26-31). Mary testified to the fact that she was a virgin. So, upon hearing the news, she questioned the Messenger of God: ” How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luk 1:34). Jesus was finally born in Bethlehem of Judea as prophesied by the prophet (Mat 2:1-6), that: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Mic 5:2).

Jesus to Egypt and back to Nazareth

The fear that the baby Jesus would be killed by Herod, the Lord God instructed Joseph and Mary to take him to Egypt until the appointed time (Mat 2:12-14). At the appointed time, that is the death of Herod, God asked them to return to Israel with the baby. They, therefore, returned to Galilee and dwelt in the city called Nazareth in order to fulfill scriptures (Mat 2:19-23). Nazareth was Joseph’s and Mary´s home town (Luk 1:26-27, Luk 2:4) and it was there where Jesus grew up (Luk 4:16). Thus, people, including demons, often called Him Jesus of Nazareth (Mat 27:71, Mar 1:24, Luk 18:37, Joh 18:5, among others). Jesus also addressed Himself to Paul by this name (Acts 22:8).

The Life of Christ Jesus

There were many things that Jesus did while He was still in the world. The discussions of His deeds are beyond the scope of this paper. However, it is important to mention Peter’s testimony of Christ when he spoke that Jesus of Nazareth, a man accredited by God by miracles, wonders, and signs as witnessed by them, was crucified and slain. But God raised Him up, having loosed the pains of death because it was impossible that death could hold Him captive (Acts 2;22-24).

It is worth mentioning: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). His full mission on earth was realized through His death and resurrection. This shall be discussed in our next Newsletter.

Conclusion

Jesus was conceived and born by a virgin as prophesied by His Holy Prophet. A type of birth that forms the basis of our Christian faith. He was approved by God the Father with signs, wonders, and miracles. Jesus went about doing good to humanity. He was killed and buried but God raised Him up again, and He is still alive in our hearts and in Heaven.

Prayer: May everything the Lord has said He would do in your life be done according to the power of His might. In the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!