The early years of Jesus

Early years of Jesus:

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God (John 1:1). The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

Jesus is the Word in the above bible passages. The Word took flesh in the womb of a virgin over 2,000 years ago.

Although the beautiful text and narratives of the gospel do not completely tell us about the early years of Jesus; what we know for sure is the fact that this newly born child (who will be named Jesus) is fully God and completely man throughout and after his life on earth. To this end, God allowed himself to be born of a virgin for the mission of redeeming the creatures he made in his own image and likeness.

You can read on the biblical account of creation here.

This article gives a summary of the early years of the infant king, the lover of mankind and the saviour of the world; in the person of Jesus.

The Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to the purest of God’s creature to announce her as the mother of his only begotten son. The angel began by saying;

• Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.

  Luke 1:28

The young teenage girl who received this great tidings is Mary. With humility, she gave her full consent by saying:

• I am the Lord's servant, 'Mary answered'. May your word to me be fulfilled.

  Luke 1: 38

The above encounter between Mary and the angel is termed annunciation and it took place on the 25th day of March.

Immediately she consented to God’s plan of salvation, the Holy Spirit overshadowed her and the conception of Jesus took place instantly. God entered the womb of Mary to live there for 9 months before his birth. Although Mary was betrothed to Joseph during this time, she knew no man and faithfully remained a virgin ever after.

Note: God had been existing, even before time began. He eventually took the nature of man (in the person of Jesus) when he entered the holy womb of Mary. This process of God becoming man is termed incarnation.

Please read on the sovereignty of God here.

Mary with the three months child in her womb visited her relative Elizabeth after she was told by Angel Gabriel that her cousin (Elizabeth) is six months pregnant.

• And I tell you this too: your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month.

  Luke 1:36

Inside the womb of both women were Jesus (in Mary’s womb) and John (in Elizabeth’s womb); although both were yet to be named at that moment. Mary greeted Elizabeth.

• When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leaped for joy and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

  Luke 1:41

Some scriptural scholars had declared that 'the leap of Joy' by John in the womb of Elizabeth signified John's baptism; and Jesus was responsible for this; even right from Mary's womb. However, this divine encounter between Mary and Elizabeth is termed the visitation.

• In a loud voice Elizabeth exclaimed: 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy'.

  Luke 1:42-44

Note: Elizabeth made the above declarations under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

You can read on Jesus' teaching on forgiveness here.

Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor at that time decreed that a census should be taken of the entire Roman empire. Every person had to go to their respective town to be registered.

Since Joseph belonged to the house and line of David, he and his pregnant spouse Mary went up to Bethlehem, the town of David.

• When the time came for the baby to be born, she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

  Luke 2:6-7

Wise men from the east came to visit the infant king. Upon their arrival, they saw the child with his mother Mary. They knelt down and worshiped the infant (Jesus).

It is important to state that Jesus remained God at every point in his physical existence, even while he was in the womb of the virgin; throughout his life on earth, death on the cross and eventual resurrection.

Notice that the bible recorded that the wise men knelt down (bowed down completely or prostrated) and worshipped the infant (Jesus), according to Matthew 2:11.

Apparently, only God can be worshiped and Jesus is always God, even as a baby.

Next, they opened their treasures and presented him with the significant gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

• Gold: It represents a symbol of Jesus' kingship. Jesus is the King of kings, even at birth and throughout eternity.
• Frankincense: It represents a symbol of Jesus' divinity and a sign of worship. Only God can be worshipped; and as such, Jesus is fully God.
• Myrrh: It represents a symbol of Jesus' death. Jesus is truly man and that's why he was able to suffer and die on the cross.
  Please read on the Beauty of Suffering here.

Understand that Jesus is truly God and completely man. It was the man (human nature) of Jesus that died on the cross, not his Godly (divine) nature. God cannot die.

Please read more on the attributes of God here.

The encounter of the wise men with the infant Jesus was recorded in the book of Matthew 2:1-12.

Understand that the birth of Jesus (termed the nativity) triggered the above narrative.

Mary and Joseph consecrated the baby Jesus to the Lord in the temple by offering a sacrifice as the law required. They took along a pair of doves (or two young pigeons) because they were poor. This event in the temple is termed the presentation of Jesus.

• Moved by the Holy Spirit, Simeon went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

  'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel'.

  The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: 'This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too'.

  Luke 2:27-35

Herod planned to kill the infant Jesus but meanwhile, Jesus, Mary and Joseph had fled to Egypt because they had already been notified of Herod’s evil intentions. In his futile attempt to kill the infant king, Herod ordered the killing of all children who were aged 2 years and below.

• Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

  'A voice was heard in Ramah,
  weeping and loud lamentation,
  Rachel weeping for her children;
  she refused to be comforted, because they are no more'.

  Matthew 2:16-18

These children were the first martyrs of Jesus Christ because they sacrificed their lives for his sake. These young martyrs are often referred to as 'souls of the holy innocence'. They received a baptism of blood through their death on Jesus' behalf.

Please read on the Consequences of Man's Disobedience here.

After the death of Herod, Jesus, Mary and Joseph returned to the land of Israel and went to the district of Galilee where they settled in a town called Nazareth, bringing into fufillment the prophesy, 'that Jesus will be called a Nazarene'.

• And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

  Matthew 2:23

When Jesus was 12 years old, He and his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of passover since it was a yearly custom for the Jews. On their way back, they discovered his absence (Jesus) from the group.

Mary and Joseph went back to Jerusalem to look for Jesus but will only find him in the temple after three days of search.

• After three days, they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him: 'Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you'.

  'Why were you searching for me?' he asked. 'Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s business? But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

  Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

  Luke 2:46-52

Please read on the leadership qualities of Joseph that has transformed lives here.

He was completely obedient to Mary and Joseph all through his earthly life. He learnt to work with his foster father (Joseph) as a carpenter.

Jesus grew up in wisdom, age and grace; and was sinless throughout his life on Earth.