He willingly laid down his life. – Philippians 2: 5-11

Had no other God’s before His Father. – Exodus 20:3

He Loved His Father God. – Mark 12:29-30

God’s will was first in His life. – Matthew 6:34

He was a co-worker with God. – 1 Corinthians 3:9

He set the example of trying hard. – 2 Peter 1:5

He kept on trusting no matter what! - Romans 1:16-17

Jesus endured being:

Persecuted, 2 Timothy 3:12

Called out of his mind, Mark 3:21,

Paying the cost, Luke 14:25-27

Being hated, Matthew 10:22

When Jesus was about two to three years old the wise men came to see Him. I want to stress that Jesus was a small child, no different from any other. In a sense He was at the mercy of His earthly parents and their choices. For God, the Father to be able to protect the child Jesus, His parents had to be listening to God. They had to be obedient, if they had not been, there would have been a big problem. Things could have gotten overly complicated. If Joseph and Mary had chosen not to obey, I am not quite sure what God would have done. He would have done something, but the point of the lesson here is this. In the eyes of God, while raising our children, we are responsible to God for how we mold their precious lives.

The written Word tells us that after Herod’s death, another angel appeared to Joseph and told him to return to the land of Israel. Upon their return, it was learned that Herod’s son was in power, so God directed Joseph to take the family to live Nazareth. Jesus was now about 5-6 years old. (Matthew 2:19-23)

During my time of study and prayer God revealed to me that from the time that Jesus family returned to Nazareth until the visit to the Temple Jesus learned many things around the age of 10 to 11. In fact, Jesus came to the understand who He was during this time frame. The written Word would back this up! For Jesus to have had the perspective that He did when He went to the temple, and for Him to amaze the teachers with His understanding of the scriptures, He would have come to know who He was at this point - He also would have had to learned to hear the voice of God his Father! Plus, I am sure He would have been spending a great deal of time talking with His Father. Keep in mind that Jesus had to learn about God the same way we do! Or we would not be able to really relate to Him - nor He to us!

“Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 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 house?" 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 men. (NIV) Luke 2:41-52

Joseph and Mary thought He had run away. When they found Him, and He answered them with, “Didn’t you know I had to be in My Father’s house?” This shows that Jesus knew solidly who He was and what His purpose was. He was not trying to be a wise guy; He was trying to explain but they did not understand, and He went with them anyway. He obeyed them anyway, but to an extent He was right. They were wrong, we know that He is always right. Remember, one person that is right does not necessarily make another one wrong. They thought they were doing the right thing too. But He was in the right more than they were. He was the child, but He obeyed them anyway. But, when He said that, He knew at this point that this was His place.

Let us note here that although His birth was such as it was, Mary did not really understand who He was. Joseph did not understand who He was either and this is the first of quite a few of the scriptures to tell us that. In fact, Mary did not understand until after the resurrection who He was. Up until that point she never quite understood it all. (Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:20-21, John 7:5)

FACT: From this point on nothing is written nor recorded of Jesus life until he is thirty years old.

John the Baptist

Let us stop here and focus on John the Baptist. What was it that drew people to John the Baptist? How did ordinary people who did not hear God’s voice and did not have the Holy Spirit (because the Holy Spirit had not entered the world yet). So, just what exactly drew them to this man?

There was something already in everyone that drew them and made them recognize this connection inside themselves that matched what John the Baptist had! There was a piece of God in them already that made that connection telling them – THIS IS REAL!

The people who come to me for counseling want to know the truth – they want the real God – they do not want man’s vision of God – they want the real thing!

When we are created, we are created with and for a purpose – God’s purpose for our lives. So, if we are created with a purpose then from the moment, we are born that purpose is not in Heaven it is here with us. The created call out and yearn for the creator. There is something in us that always wants that, and it never stops!

Ever hear someone say – something is missing in my life? Ever hear anyone say, “Is this all there is?” What is missing is: their purpose which is their connection to God! People will never be satisfied! They will never feel loved in the manner they want to be.

People are searching for a type of happiness that is impossible to achieve on this earth and you cannot teach someone who is focused on just wanting to be happy1 They are not going to get the satisfaction they are going to get from God! It is not going to satisfy them – because they are looking for happiness that does not exist on this earth! They are looking for a type of joy and happiness and contentment that only exists in Heaven! It does not exist here! There is no such thing as the type of happiness that they think they are supposed to have or that they are entitled too. When you are around these people, they are so jealous of everyone else because they have this misconception that everyone else is happy except them. You cannot teach someone who is like this. They get in a mess and then they say, “God, help me!” But it is almost impossible for God to help them because what they want from God is to be happy and God cannot do that! What they want from God and why they are here are two different universes! It is that different!

Your Purpose!

The something that people can see in us- is the something in them that is calling out to be fulfilled! You see they sense the Creator in us! It is not necessarily a visual – although it can be – it is not necessarily something said – although it can be. However, it is that something God places inside – that connects with us. What they sense and what they feel is this: this is real! Their purpose is calling out – find God – find God! That is making the biggest impact! If a person does not choose to fulfill their purpose – they will always feel something is missing in their life!

How you look, where you live, how you speak is not going to be what draws people to you! It was not what drew people to John the Baptist. Our example can help. (John 6:14).

This moment in a person’s life is between God and the person He created! We are nothing but a vessel! Nothing more and nothing less!

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)

The Baptism of Jesus!

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me? Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”

Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting (remained) on him.” Matthew 3:13-17 (NIV)

When I was a young child my parents from time to time would take my younger sister and I to feed the pigeons at Bayfront Park in Miami. Upon arrival my father would purchase a small bag of peanuts and we were ready to feed the pigeons! I can recall the pigeons approaching us rapidly and sometimes I felt afraid. As a child I found the birds to be aggressive in the sense that they wanted the peanuts and they wanted them now! They would run up to you as fast as they could sometimes 4 or 5 at a time while one or more would be attempting to land on your head! As I think back, they were extremely nervous and fidgety, and they never really seemed to calm down! When they landed on you, they dug in hard attempting to hold on tight! That hurt! I did not like that part of it!

However, I loved the green grass in the park, and I loved to see the boats at the edge of the park. It is a sweet memory. So, what is my point? Pigeons are often mistaken for Doves! Doves are quite different from pigeons, they are not fidgety, and I would find it hard to believe they would fly and rest on anyone much less stay there.

Did you know that a Dove especially a turtledove is hypersensitive and very shy?

Pigeons are loud and boisterous – they are not shy as I learned as a child. Turtledoves never fight, pigeons fight all the time! Turtledoves cannot stand noise and they are afraid of humans. They cannot be trained nor can they be domesticated. Once let out of a gage they will not return unless there is no other source of food. Doves mate for life! As with the Holy Spirit - Doves do not adjust to humans we have to adjust to them! That is if we want them/Him to stay! It is extremely easy for a Dove to be upset and fly away. Just as it is when the Spirit is quenched or grieved! I find it amazing that God used a Dove to represent the Holy Spirit! We have much to glean here!

Thought Tool: Are you adjusting to the Holy Spirit or are you expecting Him to adjust to you? The Holy Spirit Will Not do the adjusting - we must do the adjusting!

“Then John gave this testimony: ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a Dove and remain on him.” John 1:32a (NIV)

“That the Holy Spirit descended and remained on Jesus tells us as much about Jesus as it does the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was at home with Jesus. They were mutually adjusted to each other. Jesus carried no bitterness or hate, no grudges, panic, or spirit of vindictiveness to drive away the gentle Spirit. Described by Matthew as “gentle and humble in heart,” Jesus did not quarrel or cry out (Matthew 11:29). Yet “a bruised reed he will not break” (Matthew 12:20). He never struck out to hurt another.” Dr. R.T. Kendall

“And as He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (NIV) Luke 3:21-22

Jesus’ life on earth was a life of Chaos!

“Who believes our report? To whom is the arm of ADONAI revealed? For before him he grew up like a young plant, like a root out of dry ground. He was not well-formed or especially handsome; we saw him, but his appearance did not attract us. People despised and avoided him, a man of pains, well acquainted with illness. Like someone from whom people turn their faces, he was despised; we did not value him. In fact, it was our diseases he bore, our pains from which he suffered; yet we regarded him as punished, stricken, and afflicted by God. But he was wounded because of our crimes, crushed because of our sins; the disciplining that makes us whole fell on him, and by his bruises* we are healed. We all, like sheep, went astray; we turned, each one, to his own way; yet ADONAI laid on him the guilt of all of us. Though mistreated, he was submissive —he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to be slaughtered, like a sheep silent before its shearers, he did not open his mouth”. Isaiah 53:1-7 (CJB)

Jesus’ life was a life of chaos – there were miracles because the Messiah was able to bring God into the situation because of his obedience and faithfulness and determination. And because He did, God was able to intervene every single time!

However, His life daily was chaos! It was extremely chaotic! There was no stability and He knew it – He knew that every day was going to bring another problem or more pain.

When something keeps cropping up in God’s way He does not sulk! Example: if you are on a road with Jesus and you are walking, and someone puts a huge detour – let us say a boulder falls fifteen feet in front of you! Do you think that Jesus is going to say, “Oh, gosh we have this boulder in the way, let us turn around and go back? He will not do that! Do you think He is going to sit there and say, “Now we got this boulder in front of us, let’s just sit and feel sorry for ourselves?” NO! He is going to do one of a couple of things – He is either going to tell God to move the thing out of the way or He is going to climb over it – or walk around it! But we all know that He is going to do whatever God tells him to do!

The point is: when someone throws a detour in God’s will – God would not tell His son or us to stop and abandon the mission! God does not give up nor would He tell Jesus or us too! Jesus may have to take one step back and listen to His Father for a moment – but, Jesus immediately moves on – Jesus immediately keeps going! So, if you feel your life right now is constantly being detoured and road-blocked or if you feel God is consistently frustrated learn to roll with the punches – learn to go with what works which is what God tells you and not necessarily what you think would be best for God! Your life could be turned upside down on a regular basis – so learn to roll with the punches.

The Temptation of Jesus!

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone.'" (Jesus was quoting the Torah).

The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So, if you worship me, it will all be yours." (Satan could make this offer because he is the Prince of this world) Jesus answered, "It is written: `Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"

The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. For it is written: "`He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered, "It says: `Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished all this tempting he left till and opportune time.” Luke 4:1-13 (NIV)

Satan in a sense pulled out all of the stops at this point, He knew that Jesus the Son of God whom God called, The Word” passed every test that Satan put in front of him! When Satan attempted to quote the written Word to him – while deliberately misquoting it – Jesus not only corrected Satan but He refused to be tempted! In other words, the Father of all lies (the one who invented lies) lost the battle! Satan (evil incarnate) attempted to use the Word on - THE WORD!

Jesus was about to start His ministry! However, Satan thought Jesus was going to set up His Kingdom here on Earth. Jesus is going to do just that – but that moment in time was not there yet. Jesus WAS a BIG THREAT TO SATAN and he still is! I believe Satan was quite shook at this time. Satan was fully aware who Jesus was:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (John 1:1-5)

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (NIV) John 1:14

“For the WORD of God is living and active. Sharper than a double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes (intentions) of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

This Website is about “The Supernatural God” and here is a marvelous supernatural event in Heaven and on earth. When our Savior was born God asked Joseph (his earthly father) to name him Yeshua (Hebrew). We call him Jesus – His Father calls him THE WORD!

“Words are so important to God; He called His son “The WORD”. (R.L. Wallace, Th.D.)

Jesus, the Son of God whom God called, “The Word” passed every test Satan put in front of him! When Satan attempted to quote the written Word to Him deliberately misquoting it - Jesus not only corrected Satan but He refused to be tempted! In other words, the Father of all lies Satan the one of whom Jesus said, “When he lies, he speaks his native language.” (John 8:44) lost the battle! An especially important fact here is this: Jesus is THE WORD of God and Satan being totally evil attempted to use the God’s Word on THE WORD!

Family and Friends Thought He Was Crazy!

After Jesus’ time in the wilderness being tested by Satan, Jesus left and went back to His hometown where He had been brought up. He went to the synagogue and He stood up to read from the book of Isaiah. After reading the scriptures, He said to them. “. . . and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (NIV) Luke 4:21

Upon hearing this the people began to ask, “Is this not Joseph’s son? After saying some more to the people, they got furious with Him. “All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, to throw him down the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.” (NIV) Luke 4:28-30

The point here is this, Jesus suffered and experienced the rejection of people. And, this scripture tells us that He experienced it to the point of them running Him out of town to throw Him over the cliff.

He is still being rejected even today in this world. He is laughed at and scoffed at and the people who choose to follow Him are treated the same way. Let us go a step further. When someone is scorned or laughed at for being a believer, God through His Holy Spirit is being rejected once again at that very moment. Because the Holy Spirit lives in that person. Understand?

Jesus’ own family had a great effect on Him, let us look at a few situations.

“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so, they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."

They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew! Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. (NIV) John 2:1-11

In a way Mary was manipulating Jesus, she did not realize it, but she was. He was put into a position that He did not think was His place, basically. She pushed and Jesus listened to the Father and out of the situation came the first earthly miracle of Jesus’ ministry.

Another example of the fact that Jesus’ family did not know who He was in fact they thought He was crazy.

“Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." (NIV) Mark 3:20-21

They thought that He was crazy for a multiplicity of reasons. The church was angry at Him, you must understand that if the local congregation was angry at your brother or your son, or your mother. How would you feel? There was a great deal of people that He offended, the church, the government, and people where mad at Him. He had enemies. Understand, when you expose the things that people are doing wrong, or if you challenge them with the truth of a situation, they normally will get angry. Keep in mind: If you become offended, is it to reveal your heart?

Does your family understand you? Do you have people in your family that do not understand who you are? I do. But you know what? So did Jesus, and He understands exactly how I feel! No matter what the reason your family or people have for not understanding you - Jesus understands, because He experienced it!

Jesus was Plotted Against!

Practically the entire time that Christ walked the Earth He was plotted against.

“For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.” (NIV) John 5:18

“After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life.” (NIV) John 7:1

Jesus’ Earthly Life

As I have said, Jesus’ life on earth was a life of chaos! (Isaiah 53:1-12) (NIV)

However, there were miracles because Jesus was able to bring God into the situation because of His obedience and faithfulness and determination. And because He did God was able to intervene every single time!

Jesus experienced fatigue:
“Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.” (NIV) John 4:6

He required sleep:

“Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.” (NIV) Matthew 8:24

He required food:

After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” (NIV) Matthew 4:2

“Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.” (NIV) Matthew 21:18

He required water:

“Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." (NIV) John 19:28

Jesus did not have the advantage of being good looking”, if it is an advantage!

“He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” (NIV) Isaiah 53:2

Jesus Prayed:

Someone dear to me shared the following statement with me: “I always wondered who Jesus prayed to!” The answer is: He prayed to his Father - GOD!

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.” Ephesians 1:17

“The God of our Lord Jesus the Messiah is the glorious father, not Yeshua himself. Paul distinguishes God from Jesus without contradicting his view that is: In Jesus lives the fullness of all that God is.” David Stern, (JNTC)

“And he withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” (Luke 5:16)

Jesus rose early to pray: (Mark 1:35); He prayed all night: (Luke 6:12); He even sent away thousands to pray: (Matthew 6:5).

Praying was so important to Jesus that ten percent of the Sermon on the Mount was dedicated to prayer! (This prayer is known as the model prayer!)

J. Gordon Henry says: “Christ present ministry is this: The Lord Jesus is now in the Throne Room in Heaven at the right hand of the Father, appearing in the presence of God for us in intercession.” (Revelation 4:1)

“God longs for us to rediscover the power of that old-fashioned “sweet hour of prayer.” A brief prayer mumbled somewhere between the on-ramp of the freeway and the fast-food window on the way to work is not enough! That is not characteristic of a prayer life based on a vibrant relationship with a living God. It is fulfillment of an obligation – and a halfhearted fulfillment at that. Such “prayer” can never fill the longing of either the Father’s heart or your own.” Jesus still calls out to believers just as He called to the slumbering disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane: “What! Could you not watch with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40) Rod Parsley

Luke 4:2-44 and Isaiah 53:1-12

(sw-h)
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