Immanuel—God With Us. “In the beginning was the Word…. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” John 1:1-14. “He Was Wounded For Our Transgressions, He Was Bruised For Our Iniquities: The Chastisement Of Our Peace Was Upon Him; And With His Stripes We Are Healed.” Isa. 53:5.
Birth, Childhood, And Early Life Of Christ
The Flight Into Egypt. “Arise, … and flee into Egypt.” Matt. 2:13.
1. In what promise was a Saviour from sin first revealed?
“And the Lord said unto the serpent, … I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.” Gen. 3:14, 15.
2. Through whom was a restoration of the lost dominion promised to Abraham?
“To thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever.” Gen. 13:15.
3. Who was this promised seed?
“He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Gal. 3:16.
4. Where was Christ to be born?
“And … he [Herod] demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea.” Matt. 2:4-6. See Micah 5:2.
5. Of whom was Christ to be born?
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isa. 7:14.
NOTE.—Immanuel means “God with us.” See Matt. 1:23.
6. Before His birth, what did the angel say to Joseph concerning the naming of the child?
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21.
7. At His birth, what message did the angel bring to the shepherds abiding in the field?
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10, 11.
8. In what song of praise did a host of angels join?
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Verses 13, 14.
9. What prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled at Christ’s birth?
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder.” Isa. 9:6.
10. What did the prophet say His Name should be called?
“And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end.” Verses 6, 7.
11. What did the devout Simeon say when he saw the child Jesus?
“And when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law, then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.” Luke 2:27-32.
12. How did the aged prophetess Anna express herself at the sight of Jesus?
“And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” Verse 38.
13. What did the wise men of the East do when they had found Jesus?
“When they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Matt. 2:11.
The Visit Of The Shepherds. “And they came with haste, and found … the babe lying in a manger.” Luke 2:16.
14. How came Jesus to live for a time in Egypt?
“And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child, and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him.” Verse 13.
15. How does the revelator describe this satanic desire to destroy Christ?
“And the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.” Rev. 12:4.
16. By what means did Herod seek to destroy Christ?
“Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under.” Matt. 2:16.
17. After Herod’s death, where did Joseph and his family live?
“And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.” Verse 23.
18. What is said of Christ’s childhood and early life?
“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him…. And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them.” Luke 2:40-51.
19. Upon returning from a feast at Jerusalem, how came Joseph and Mary to lose Jesus when He was twelve years old?
“But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him.” Verses 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.
20. What was Jesus doing when they found Him?
“And it came to pass, that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.” Verse 46.
21. How did His questions and answers impress those who heard Him?
“And all that heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.” Verse 47.
22. With what words do the Scriptures conclude the record of Christ’s early life?
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Verse 52.
NOTE.—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 tender-hearted, and 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. See note on page 28.
Christ’s Ministry
Nazareth. “Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.” Acts 10:38.
1. With what words had John the Baptist announced Christ’s ministry?
“He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” Matt. 3:11.
2. How old was Jesus when He began His ministry?
“And Jesus Himself began to be about thirty years of age.” Luke 3:23.
3. By what act and what miraculous manifestations was His ministry opened?
“And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11.
4. Before entering upon His ministry, through what experience did Jesus pass?
“And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto Him.” Verses 12, 13. See also Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13.
5. With what was Jesus anointed for His work?
“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.
6. Where did Jesus begin His ministry?
“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.” Luke 4:14, 15.
7. How did He announce His mission while at Nazareth?
“And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord…. And He began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Verses 16-21.
8. How were the people impressed with His preaching?
“And all bare Him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth.” Verse 22.
9. Why were the people at Capernaum astonished at His teaching?
“And [He] came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the Sabbath days. And they were astonished at His doctrine: for His word was with power.” Verses 31, 32.
10. Wherein did His teaching differ from that of the scribes?
“And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matt. 7:28, 29.
11. How did the common people receive Christ?
“And the common people heard Him gladly.” Mark 12:37.
12. In His ministry, what work was closely associated with His preaching?
“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” Matt. 4:23.
NOTE.—In His ministry, Christ combined plain, practical teaching with practical, helpful relief work.
13. How extensive was His fame, and how many were attracted to Him?
“And His fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and He healed them. And there followed Him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.” Verses 24, 25.
14. What expression used frequently in narrating His ministry shows Christ’s deep sympathy with mankind?
“But when He saw the multitude, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick.” Matt. 9:36; 14:14.
15. In what few words did Christ sum up the object of His ministry?
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10.
16. How did Christ feel over the impenitence of Jerusalem?
“And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it.” Luke 19:41.
NOTE.—In no other place did Christ appear so much a reformer as in Jerusalem, the headquarters of the Jewish religion, which religion, though having come from Christ Himself, had degenerated into mere formalism and a round of ceremony. Both the beginning and the close of His ministry here was marked by a cleansing of the temple. See John 2:13-18 and Matt. 21:12-16.
Christ The Great Teacher
Christ Teaching The Multitude. “Never man spake like this man.” John 7:46.
1. What report did the officers bring who were sent out by the chief priests and Pharisees to take Jesus?
“Never man spake like this man.” John 7:46.
2. How did Christ teach the people?
“He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matt. 7:29.
NOTE.—”The teaching of the scribes and elders was cold and formal, like a lesson learned by rote. To them the Word of God possessed no vital power. Their own ideas and traditions were substituted for its teaching. In the accustomed round of service they professed to explain the law, but no inspiration from God stirred their own hearts or the hearts of their hearers.”
3. Why was Christ’s preaching so impressive?
“For His word was with power.” Luke 4:32.
4. With what was He filled?
“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.” Verse 1.
5. How freely was the Holy Spirit bestowed upon Him?
“For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him.” John 3:34.
6. How had Christ’s teaching by parables been foretold?
“I will open My mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old.” Ps. 78:2.
7. How was this fulfilled?
“Without a parable spake He not unto them.” Matt. 13:34.
8. What question did Christ’s wonderful teaching call forth?
“And when He was come into His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?” Verse 54.
9. What did Isaiah say Christ would do with the law?
“He will magnify the law, and make it honorable.” Isa. 42:21.
10. Because some thought He had come to destroy the law, what did Christ say?
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:17-20.
11. What testimony did Nicodemus bear concerning Him?
“Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with him.” John 3:2.
12. What did Christ’s words at Jacob’s well lead the woman of Samaria to ask?
“The woman then left her water-pot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” John 4:28, 29.
13. How were the two on the way to Emmaus affected by Christ’s conversation with them?
“And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?” Luke 24:32.
14. In His teaching, to what did Christ direct attention?
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.” “And He said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me. Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures.” Verses 27, 44, 45.
15. How did He encourage His disciples to look for the fulfilment of prophecy?
“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand;) then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains.” Matt. 24:15, 16.
NOTE.—Christ was a faithful student, a consistent user, and a perfect expounder, of the Scriptures. He met temptation with the Scriptures. He proved His Messiahship by the Scriptures. He taught from the Scriptures; and He told His disciples to look to the Scriptures as their counselor and guide for the future.
