THE BIBLE STORY CONDENSED

Chapter 9 The Life and Teachings of Jesus There are four accounts of Jesus’ work on earth: Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John, which reinforces the message. They are written by four people with differing points of observation. While some call this the beginning of the new testament, the Bible says otherwise. Jesus is the mediator of the new testament, and a testament is not in effect until the death of the testator. (Heb. 9:15-17) However, when capitalized, tradition sees this earlier portion of scripture after MalachI, as being the New Testament.

While Jesus frequently referred to the coming kingdom, the new testament life and practice in His blood, was not available for believers until after Calvary. Likewise, most of the new provisions in Christ were not available to believers until after the cross and His resurrection. Although Jesus taught much about the coming kingdom being at hand, (near) his audiences were not yet freed from the law of Moses. Jesus taught them, “The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat; therefore whatever they bid you, that observe and do.” (Matt. 23:2-3) This does not seem to be for Christians.

After 400 yrs. of not hearing from God, an angel spoke to a priest, Zacharias, saying, that his wife, Elizabeth would have a son, whose name shall be called John. He will be filled with the holy spirit from birth and go before the Lord to prepare a people for Him. Six months later, the angel of God was sent to a virgin girl named Mary who was engaged to a man named Joseph. The angel greeted her with enthusiastic approval; You are highly favored, the Lord is with you; you are blessed among women. (Luke 1:28)

You shall conceive in your womb and bring forth a son, to be named Jesus. He shall be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give to him the throne of his father David. He shall reign over the people of Jacob forever.

Mary asked, “How can this be since I haven’t had relations with a man?” The angel explained, “The Holy Spirit shall enable you and the power of the Highest will overshadow you, so the holy one you shall bear, will be called the Son of God. Your barren cousin Elizabeth, has also conceived six months ago, for with God nothing shall be impossible. Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to your word. And then the angel left. (Lu. 1:38)

The long awaited for, Messiah is about to be born to a virgin. as God had promised, “A virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call him Emanuel,” meaning God with us. (Isa. 7:14) The only off spring of the human race to have been begotten by God Himself. While Adam was the created son of God; (Lu.3:38) and believers in this Messiah Jesus are adopted sons of God;(Eph. 1:5) but no one else was ever begotten of God; without a human father.

Mary went to visit her aged cousin. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, the babe, John, the Baptist, leapt in her womb, and she, by the Holy Spirit, prophesied. “You are blessed among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And you are blessed in believing the things the Lord has told you, now they will be performed.(Luke 1:45)

When John the Baptist was born, Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied about the coming messiah, saying: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed his people, for He has raised up a horn of salvation for us as He said He would, by his holy prophets.” Jesus, as the Horn of salvation may be referring to Psalms 92:9, which says, “For your enemies, O Lord, shall perish, but my horn, you shall exalt,” like the horn of an animal is its weapon, Jesus is our horn that saves us. Zacharias continues; “To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant to Abraham.” (Lu. 1:73) God spoke through Zacharias in past tense, even before Jesus was born, indicating the certainty of his word.