Ready to Begin

Christ Time On Earth

It is stated in John 1:1-4 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

Therefore, God, the Son, chose to leave the riches and glories of Heaven with God, the Father, and God, the Holy Spirit, so that He could become the atoning sacrifice for man's sins. A perfect sacrifice was needed to reconcile man to God. He was born in Bethlehem, fled to Egypt, and grew in favor with God and man. The citizens of Nazareth referred to Him as the son of Joseph, the carpenter.

At the age of twelve, He chose to linger in Jerusalem at the temple to listen to the teachers and to ask and answer questions. It is uncertain if any of these teachers, twenty-one years later, were among the leaders who sought His death. When Joseph and Mary questioned Jesus about His decision to stay in Jerusalem, He replied “‘How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”’ as recorded in Luke 2:49. Upon returning to Nazareth He “was obedient to them, and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:51-52)

About age 30 He left home to begin to accomplish His purpose for leaving Heaven and coming to Earth as the Word, in the person of Jesus. When John the Baptist was baptizing unto repentance Jesus came to him desiring to be baptized. John was reluctant “But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.' Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:15-17) confirming what John had said prior to Jesus’ baptism. Jesus was led to a deserted place where he fasted for forty days. During this time, he was confronted by the Devil, tempting Him in all things like we are tempted as follows:

• Desire for food – the lust of the flesh
• Desire for power – the pride of life
• Desire for things – the lust of the eye

In each temptation, he chose to be obedient and did not sin. Time and time again we find Jesus stating his decision to be about His Father's business and to do the will of His Father. We need to base our choices and decisions on the will of the Father. Therefore, it is imperative for us to be diligent in our study of His words and the words of the apostles who were guided by the Holy Spirit. These words referred to as the New Testament allow us to know what to do to have our sins forgiven through Christ our atoning sacrifice so we can be reconciled to God.

Jesus faced each challenge and temptation by simply doing the will of the one who sent Him to earth. Since we were created in God's image, we have the same choice. Simply trust and obey.