Spotlight
by Gillian Lombard
Getting to know Jesus
Gillian Lombard wrote about God in the previous edition of Devoted under the heading: Getting to know God. In this edition we are putting the spotlight on Jesus, son of God.
The birth of Jesus was supernatural, one of a kind, a miracle, unforgettable. Jesus’ mother Mary had favour with God and was chosen to bear the King. Luke 1:28 states: The angel went to her and said “Greetings you are highly favoured. The Lord is with you". Verses 30-31 also confirm: "Do not be afraid Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus". This scripture teaches us that Jesus did not have a human father, if He had, He would have inherited the sin and infirmities that all men have. Since He was conceived by the Holy Spirit He stands as the one man who comes pure from the hand of God. Isaiah prophesied 700 years before Christ that He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). An elderly Simon was told by God that he would not die until he saw God’s mission. Simon blessed Jesus and predicted He would bring light to the Gentiles. (Luke 2:32) Wise men, influential men, honoured Jesus’ birth and came to worship Him. Jesus was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon Him. When Jesus reached the age of 12, Mary, Joseph and Jesus journeyed to Jerusalem for the annual feast of the Passover. As Joseph and Mary were returning home they realized Jesus was not with them. After searching for three days they found Him in a temple sitting amongst teachers – listening to them, asking those questions and teaching them. Jesus went through towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the Kingdom and healing every kind of disease and sickness. Jesus had compassion for people. He felt the crowds were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He therefor gave his disciples instructions to go preach to the lost sheep of Israel (Mathew 10:6). Jesus was sinless. He never did anything wrong. Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and men. Though He was tempted to sin many times, He never committed sin. His enemies tried to trap Him continuously and cause Him to sin, but they were not successful. Jesus was the only perfect man who ever lived. He revealed the will of His Father, taking upon Himself the demands of human nature and identified Himself completely with mankind. ?]??????????????)??????????????????!?????????????????????????????!???????M?????? ????]?????????????)????????????????????????!???????????????????????????!??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????!??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????!???((?((