READING • LUKE 2
The Son of God enters the world
The Gospels present Jesus as the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. This lesson follows his life from his miraculous birth and baptism through his teaching, miracles, prayer and preparation for death. Throughout, Jesus is shown as completely obedient to his Father and entirely without sin.
The birth of Jesus
Mary was told that the child she would bear would be called Jesus and would be the Son of the Highest. When she asked how this could happen, the angel explained that God's power, the Holy Spirit, would bring about the conception. No human father was involved.
“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.”
Luke 1:32 • King James Version
Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 describe the conception and birth of Jesus. Christadelphians understand these accounts to teach that the personal life of Jesus began with his conception and birth, while his place in God's purpose had been determined beforehand.
The baptism of Jesus
The Gospels say little about Jesus between his childhood and the beginning of his public work. When he was about thirty years old, he came to John the Baptist at the River Jordan and was baptized. Mark records that Jesus came 'up out of the water' (Mark 1:10). His baptism was not a confession of personal sin - Jesus was sinless - but an act of obedience at the beginning of his ministry.
“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17 • King James Version
The Holy Spirit given to Jesus
At his baptism the Spirit of God descended upon Jesus. He then began the work for which his Father had sent him: preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, healing the sick and calling people to repentance and faith.
Tempted in the wilderness
Immediately after his baptism Jesus was led into the wilderness, where he was tempted. Luke describes three temptations: to turn stone into bread, to receive the kingdoms of the world by worshipping the devil, and to cast himself down from the pinnacle of the temple.
“And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.”
Luke 4:3 • King James Version
Each time Jesus answered from Scripture. He refused to use God's power for himself or to seek glory by any path other than obedience to his Father.
What does the “devil” mean in the temptation?
Christadelphians do not understand the devil in Luke 4 as a supernatural evil being. They understand the language as a vivid personification of temptation arising from within human nature. The temptations were real: Jesus could feel their force, but he never consented to sin.
“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”
James 1:14 • King James Version
This understanding fits the Bible's teaching that Jesus truly shared our human experience of temptation while remaining sinless:
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
Hebrews 4:15 • King James Version
The language of the temptations also invites careful thought. Luke says that all the kingdoms of the world were shown to Jesus 'in a moment of time' (Luke 4:5), and the temptation concerning the temple presents a dramatic mental test of whether he would force God to prove His protection. Christadelphians therefore see the account as presenting the conflict within the mind of Jesus in the powerful language of a dialogue with 'the devil'.
The point of the temptations
Jesus knew that he was God's Son and that the Kingdom would ultimately be his. Yet he also knew that the path appointed by God involved obedience, suffering and death before glory. He rejected every shortcut.
Jesus truly shared human nature
Jesus had God as his Father and Mary as his mother. During his mortal life he genuinely shared human nature. He could hunger, become tired, suffer, be tempted and die. Yet unlike every other human being, he never sinned.
PASSAGE
WHAT IT SHOWS
Hebrews 2:14
Jesus “also himself likewise took part” of flesh and blood.
Hebrews 2:17
He was made like his brethren “in all things”.
Hebrews 4:15
He was tempted as we are, “yet without sin”.
Hebrews 2:9
He was made “a little lower than the angels” and tasted death for every man.
1 Timothy 2:5
Scripture calls him “the man Christ Jesus”.
After his death, God raised Jesus and gave him immortal, glorious life. Philippians 2:9-11 describes the exalted position God has now given him.
The ministry of Jesus
After the wilderness Jesus travelled through towns and villages proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Luke summarises his work in these words:
“He went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him.”
Luke 8:1 (excerpt) • King James Version
Teaching people how to live
Matthew 5-7, usually called the Sermon on the Mount, contains some of the best-known teaching of Jesus. It begins with the Beatitudes and continually turns attention from outward appearance to the motives of the heart.
TEACHING
PASSAGE
PRACTICAL EMPHASIS
“Blessed are the poor in spirit”
Matthew 5:3
Humility before God and dependence upon Him.
“Blessed are the meek”
Matthew 5:5
The meek are promised an inheritance in the earth.
Love your enemies
Matthew 5:44
Do good even when others oppose or mistreat you.
Purity of heart
Matthew 5:27-28
Do not merely avoid outward adultery; resist lustful thoughts.
Give and pray sincerely
Matthew 6:1-18
Do not practise religion merely to be seen by other people.
Trust God
Matthew 6:25-34
Do not be ruled by anxiety; seek first the Kingdom of God.
Judge rightly
Matthew 7:1-5
Avoid hypocritical and self-righteous judgement; examine yourself first.
“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:10 • King James Version
The expression 'kingdom of heaven' in Matthew does not mean that the promised Kingdom is located in heaven. Jesus also taught that the meek would inherit the earth and told his disciples to pray for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Teaching by parables and prophecy
Jesus often taught by parables - simple stories that carried profound spiritual lessons. Matthew 13 contains several parables about the Kingdom of God. Luke 15 records the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son, showing God's concern for those who are lost and the joy that accompanies repentance.
Jesus also spoke prophetically. In Matthew 24 he answered questions about the destruction of Jerusalem and about his future coming. His teaching repeatedly directed his hearers toward the coming Kingdom and the need to be ready for it.
The miracles of Jesus
The Gospels record many miracles. Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, made the lame walk and even raised the dead. He also fed large crowds, calmed storms, walked on the sea and turned water into wine. These works were signs of the authority and power God had given him, and they also revealed his compassion for people in need.
Power used in service
Jesus never used God's power merely to impress people or to make life easy for himself. The miracles supported his teaching, helped those who suffered and provided signs of the coming blessings of God's Kingdom.
A life of humility and service
Although he was the Son of God, Jesus did not seek wealth or status. He lived simply and served others. He said:
“Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
Luke 9:58 • King James Version
On the night before his death he washed his disciples' feet, taking the place of a servant. His whole life showed that greatness in God's sight is expressed through humble service.
A life of prayer
Jesus depended upon his Father and prayed frequently. Before choosing the twelve apostles he spent the night in prayer (Luke 6:12-13). He taught his disciples not to pray for show, but to pray sincerely to their Father in secret (Matthew 6:5-6). His example shows how essential prayer is to a faithful life.
The transfiguration
Luke 9:28-36 describes the transfiguration. Peter, James and John saw Jesus in glory, with Moses and Elijah appearing with him. They spoke about the 'decease' which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. The vision gave a foretaste of the glory associated with the Kingdom while Jesus was moving steadily toward suffering and death.
He set his face toward Jerusalem
Jesus knew from Scripture that he would suffer and die. Psalm 22, Psalm 69 and Isaiah 53 contain prophecies that Christians understand in relation to his suffering. Jesus repeatedly told his disciples that he would be killed and raised again (for example Luke 9:22). He did not turn away from the path his Father had appointed:
“And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.”
Luke 9:51 • King James Version
The prospect of death caused him deep anguish, as the later account of Gethsemane shows, but he willingly submitted to his Father's will. He remained without sin and left his disciples an example of faithful self-denial.
Following the example of Jesus
The life of Jesus is not only something to admire. He called men and women to follow him. That means learning his teaching, trusting his Father, resisting sin, serving others and accepting the cost of discipleship.
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Luke 9:23 • King James Version
In this verse the 'cross' is a figure for accepting self-denial, suffering and obedience in following Christ. It is not a religious object to be worshipped or displayed.
A short guide to the life and ministry of Jesus
STAGE
KEY PASSAGES
WHAT TO NOTICE
Birth and childhood
Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-2
Miraculous conception; Son of God; promised heir to David’s throne.
Baptism
Matthew 3; Mark 1
God identifies Jesus as His beloved Son; the Spirit is given to him.
Temptation
Matthew 4; Luke 4
Real temptation resisted by trust in Scripture and obedience to God.
Teaching
Matthew 5-7; 13
The Kingdom of God, repentance, faith and a transformed way of life.
Miracles
The four Gospels
Power from God used with compassion and as signs supporting his message.
Journey to Jerusalem
Luke 9 onward
Jesus knowingly moves toward suffering, death and resurrection.
SUMMARY
1
Jesus is the Son of God.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
2
Jesus was baptized and received the Holy Spirit.
God declared him to be His beloved Son, and his public ministry began.
3
Jesus was genuinely tempted but never sinned.
Christadelphians understand the “devil” of the wilderness temptation as a personification of the inward pull of sin and temptation.
4
Jesus truly shared human nature.
He experienced hunger, tiredness, suffering and death, but remained completely obedient to God.
5
His teaching centred on God’s Kingdom and faithful living.
He taught humility, love, purity, prayer, trust, repentance and readiness for the Kingdom.
6
His miracles showed God’s power and compassion.
They helped people in need and confirmed the authority of his message.
7
Jesus willingly went toward suffering and death.
He knew what lay ahead, remained faithful and called his disciples to follow his example.
Chapters to read
Matthew 5, 6 and 7; Luke 9
LEARN BY HEART • LUKE 1:32
“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.”
Luke 1:32 • King James Version
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