Jesus’ Ministry: The Beginning - Birth and Childhood

Hey everyone! Welcome to your study notes for the first part of Jesus' ministry. In this chapter, we're going to travel back in time to explore the amazing stories of Jesus' birth and childhood. Think of it as the 'origin story' of one of history's most important figures.

We'll look at two different accounts from the Bible, written by Matthew and Luke. You'll learn why their stories have different details and what each writer wanted to teach us about who Jesus is. Understanding this foundation is super important for the rest of the course. Let's get started!


Why Two Different Stories? Matthew vs. Luke

First thing's first: why don't Matthew and Luke tell the exact same story? Don't worry, this isn't a mistake! Think of it like two friends describing the same amazing concert. One friend might focus on the cool guitar solos and the stage lights, while the other talks about the crowd's energy and the singer's lyrics. They both went to the same concert, but they're highlighting different things to make a point.

Matthew and Luke were doing something similar. They had different audiences and different key messages.

  • Matthew's Goal: To show his Jewish-Christian readers that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah (the prophesied king) promised in the Old Testament. He's constantly saying, "See? This happened to fulfil the prophecies!"

  • Luke's Goal: To show his non-Jewish (Gentile) readers that Jesus was the Saviour for everyone, especially the poor, women, and people who felt like outsiders. He focuses on the humble and universal side of the story.
Memory Aid!

Here's a simple way to remember:

Matthew shows Jesus is the Messiah for the Jews.

Luke shows Jesus is the Saviour for the Lowly and for ALL.


Matthew’s Account: The King is Born!

Matthew's story is like a royal announcement. He wants to prove that Jesus is the rightful king from the line of King David, fulfilling ancient prophecies. (Biblical Reference: Mt. 1:18-25, 2:1-23)

1. Joseph's Story & The Virgin Birth

Matthew tells the story from Joseph's perspective. Joseph finds out his fiancée, Mary, is pregnant, and he knows he isn't the father. He plans to quietly break the engagement to protect her from public shame. But an angel appears to him in a dream and says:

  • Don't be afraid! The baby is from the Holy Spirit.
  • Name him Jesus, which means 'The Lord saves'.
  • This fulfils the prophecy: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").

Joseph trusts God and marries Mary. This shows Joseph's righteousness and faith.

2. The Wise Men (Magi) & King Herod

After Jesus is born in Bethlehem, some wise men (Magi) from the east arrive in Jerusalem. They are not Jewish, showing that even Gentiles recognise Jesus' kingship.

  • The Star: They followed a special star to find the "newborn king of the Jews."
  • King Herod: The current king, Herod, is deeply troubled by this news. He's a worldly king who sees Jesus as a threat. He pretends he wants to worship Jesus but secretly plans to kill him.
  • Prophecy Fulfilled: The wise men are told to go to Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would be born there (Micah 5:2).

3. Escape to Egypt and the Return to Nazareth

Warned in a dream, Joseph takes Mary and Jesus and flees to Egypt to escape Herod's murderous plan. This is significant because:

  • It fulfils another prophecy: "Out of Egypt I called my son." (Hosea 11:1).
  • Herod's Cruelty: In a rage, Herod orders the killing of all baby boys in and around Bethlehem. This tragic event shows the conflict between God's kingdom and the evil of the world.
  • Return to Nazareth: After Herod dies, the family returns to Israel and settles in the town of Nazareth.
Key Takeaway for Matthew

Matthew's birth story is packed with connections to the Old Testament. He shows Jesus as the new Moses (who also escaped a king's order to kill babies) and the promised King from the line of David, whose birth was foretold by prophets long ago.


Luke’s Account: Good News for Everyone!

Luke's story feels more personal and universal. He focuses on the joy and wonder of Jesus' birth, especially for those on the margins of society. (Biblical References: Lk. 1:26-56, 2:1-52)

1. Mary's Story (The Annunciation)

Luke tells the story from Mary's perspective. The angel Gabriel visits her and announces that she, a young virgin, will give birth to the Son of God. His kingdom will never end. While she is initially confused, Mary's faithful response is central: "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled." This highlights her incredible faith.

2. The Journey and Humble Birth

A decree from the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, forces everyone to travel to their ancestral town for a census. This is why Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

  • No Room at the Inn: They can't find a proper place to stay, so Jesus is born in a humble place where animals were kept and is laid in a manger (an animal's feeding trough).
  • Humble Beginnings: This is a key theme for Luke. The Saviour of the world isn't born in a palace, but in the simplest, most humble conditions.

3. The Shepherds: The First to Know

Who gets the big, angelic birth announcement? Not kings or priests, but a group of shepherds in the fields. In that society, shepherds were considered poor and unreliable.

An angel appears, telling them the good news of a Saviour's birth. They hurry to Bethlehem and are the very first people to visit and worship Jesus. This shows that Jesus' message is for everyone, starting with the lowly.

Did You Know?

Because shepherds were often considered untrustworthy, they weren't allowed to be witnesses in a court of law. By making them the first witnesses to Jesus' birth, Luke is making a powerful statement that God sees and values those whom society overlooks!

4. Presentation in the Temple

Following Jewish law, Mary and Joseph take the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. There, they meet two elderly, devout people:

  • Simeon: A righteous man who had been promised by God that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. He takes Jesus in his arms and praises God, recognising him as a "light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel."
  • Anna: An elderly prophetess who gives thanks to God and tells everyone about the child.

The recognition by these two faithful Jews connects Jesus' birth to the religious heart of Israel.

Key Takeaway for Luke

Luke shows that Jesus is the universal Saviour. His birth is good news for the poor (shepherds), women (Mary's perspective is central), and even the non-Jewish world (Simeon's prophecy). The themes are joy, humility, and salvation for all people.


Jesus' Childhood: Growing Up

We don't know much about Jesus' childhood, but Luke gives us one famous story. (Biblical Reference: Lk. 2:41-52)

Finding Jesus in the Temple

When Jesus is 12 years old, his family goes to Jerusalem for the Passover festival, a major Jewish holiday. On the way home, his parents realize he is missing! After three days of frantic searching, they find him back in the Temple, sitting with the religious teachers, listening and asking intelligent questions. Everyone was amazed at his understanding.

When his mother asks why he did this, Jesus replies: "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"

This is a huge moment! It's the first time in the Bible that Jesus speaks, and his words show he has a clear and unique understanding of his relationship with God, whom he calls his Father.

Growing in Wisdom and Stature

After this event, Jesus goes back to Nazareth with his parents and is obedient to them. Luke summarizes his development perfectly:

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2:52)

This one sentence covers all the key points from the syllabus:

  • Family Background: He grew up in a devout Jewish family that followed religious traditions like going to Jerusalem for festivals.
  • Physical and Intellectual Development: He grew in "stature" (physically) and "wisdom" (intellectually).
  • Sense of Communion with God the Father: His deep connection with God was obvious ("in my Father's house") and he grew in "favour with God".
Key Takeaway for Childhood

Even as a boy, Jesus was no ordinary child. He displayed incredible wisdom and, most importantly, a profound sense of his divine identity and mission as the Son of God.


Quick Review: Matthew vs. Luke at a Glance

Here’s a simple table to help you remember the key differences. This is perfect for revision!

Feature
Matthew's Account
Luke's Account

Main Perspective
Joseph
Mary

Key Visitors
Wise Men (Magi) - rich, foreign, royal visitors
Shepherds - poor, local, humble visitors

Key Emotion/Tone
Danger, conflict, threat (from Herod)
Joy, peace, wonder

Main Message
Jesus is the prophesied Messiah-King for the Jews.
Jesus is the humble Saviour for all people, especially the poor.

Connection to OT
Directly quotes prophecies being fulfilled.
Focuses on fulfilling the spirit of God's plan for salvation.