Today the wise men come to see the Savior saying, “For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2, Numbers 24:17). And when they arrive at the home, they worship the young Child and give Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, showing that the Lord always goes ahead of us providing for our needs. These gifts will help sustain the family on the journey they will soon take to Egypt.
Now when the ruthless and corrupt King Herod hears of the birth of the Messiah, he feels threatened and plots to kill the Child by ordering that all young males born in Bethlehem and in all its districts be put to death. An angel warns Joseph and tells him to flee to Egypt with his family where they remain until Herod dies (Matthew 2:15, Hosea 11:1). Then Joseph moves his family to Nazareth, a city in the region of Galilee.
When Jesus is twelve years old and his family is in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, Jesus goes to the temple “And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.” Once His parents find Him in the temple, Jesus explains that He is right where He needs to be because He “must be about My Father’s business.” Jesus knows He is sent for a purpose, to save the people from their sins and restore them to His Father; and John the Baptist will prepare the people to receive Him as their Savior.
As prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3), John the Baptist grows up and begins preaching a baptism of repentance in the wilderness of Judea. ”Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, ’There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’”
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?’ But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he allowed Him.”
“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”
Tomorrow Jesus is tempted in the wilderness and we meet the first disciples, so keep reading.
(Matthew 2:1-23, Luke 2:41-52, Mark 1:2-8, Matthew 3:1-12, Luke 3:1-18, Mark 1:9-11, Matthew 3:13-17, Luke 3:21-22)
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Chronological Bible in Layman's Terms 