Key Events in the Life of Jesus Christ (Part 2)

In Part 1, we explored the early years

of Jesus’ life, from His birth to the beginning of His public ministry. This section delves deeper into the key events during His ministry, exploring the teachings, miracles, and moments that were pivotal in fulfilling His divine mission.

1. The Sermon on the Mount

• Event: One of the most significant teachings of Jesus, the Sermon on the Mount, takes place on a hillside in Galilee. In this extended discourse, Jesus outlines the principles of the Kingdom of God, calling His followers to a radical righteousness that surpasses the legalistic righteousness of the Pharisees.
• Scripture: Matthew 5–7, Luke 6:20-49
• Significance: The Sermon on the Mount includes the Beatitudes, in which Jesus blesses those who are poor in spirit, mourn, hunger for righteousness, and are persecuted for His sake (Matthew 5:3-12). These statements turn worldly values upside down, emphasizing humility, mercy, purity, and peace. Jesus also taught the Lord’s Prayer, encouraged love for enemies, and challenged His followers to live in a way that glorifies God rather than seeking human approval. The sermon lays the foundation for Jesus’ ethical teachings and the heart of His mission: to bring God’s kingdom to earth through love, humility, and inner transformation.

2. Jesus Heals the Sick and Casts Out Demons

• Event: Throughout His ministry, Jesus performs numerous healings and exorcisms, demonstrating His authority over sickness, disease, and demonic forces. Some notable miracles include healing a leper (Matthew 8:1-4), giving sight to the blind (John 9:1-12), and healing the paralytic (Matthew 9:1-8).
• Scripture: Matthew 8:1-17, Mark 1:32-34, Luke 4:40-41, John 9:1-12
• Significance: These miracles serve as a demonstration of Jesus’ divine authority and compassion. They reveal that Jesus not only has the power to heal physical ailments but also to bring spiritual deliverance. His acts of healing are also symbolic of the greater spiritual healing He offers—freedom from sin and reconciliation with God. Jesus’ ability to cast out demons further affirms His power over the forces of evil.

3. The Calling of the Twelve Apostles

• Event: After a period of intense ministry, Jesus selects twelve men from His followers to be His closest disciples. These twelve will later become the foundation of His Church.
• Scripture: Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-16
• Significance: The selection of the Twelve apostles marks a key moment in Jesus’ ministry, indicating the formation of a close-knit community of followers who would learn directly from Him. The apostles were tasked with spreading the message of the Kingdom of God and would later serve as leaders of the early Church. Their calling reflects God’s choice of ordinary, often flawed people for extraordinary purposes.

4. The Transfiguration

• Event: Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, where He is transfigured before them. His appearance changes, becoming radiant with glory. Moses and Elijah appear with Him, and a voice from heaven declares, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him.”
• Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36
• Significance: The Transfiguration is a pivotal event in the life of Jesus, revealing His divine glory and confirming His identity as the Son of God. The presence of Moses and Elijah links Jesus to the Law and the Prophets, showing that He fulfills both the Old Testament Law and the prophetic promises. The voice from heaven affirms that Jesus is the chosen One, further emphasizing His unique relationship with the Father. This moment provides a glimpse of Jesus’ future glory and reassures His disciples of His divine mission.

5. The Feeding of the 5,000

• Event: In a remote area, Jesus miraculously feeds a crowd of 5,000 men, plus women and children, with five loaves of bread and two fish. After everyone eats, twelve baskets of leftovers are collected.
• Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:5-14
• Significance: The feeding of the 5,000 is not only a miracle of provision but also a sign of Jesus’ divine power. It shows that He is the one who can satisfy the deepest hunger of the human soul, not only physically but spiritually. In John’s account, Jesus later identifies Himself as the “Bread of Life” (John 6:35), indicating that He is the source of eternal life and spiritual nourishment.

6. Jesus Walks on Water

• Event: After feeding the 5,000, Jesus sends His disciples ahead in a boat while He stays behind to pray. During the night, a storm arises, and the disciples are afraid. Jesus walks on the water toward them, and Peter briefly walks toward Jesus before sinking.
• Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:16-21
• Significance: This miracle demonstrates Jesus’ mastery over nature and His ability to bring peace in the midst of fear and chaos. It also highlights the importance of faith, as Peter’s attempt to walk on water fails when his focus shifts from Jesus to the storm. Jesus immediately rescues him, showing His compassion and readiness to help His followers in times of trouble.

7. The Raising of Lazarus

• Event: Jesus travels to Bethany, where His friend Lazarus has died and been buried for four days. Jesus commands the stone to be rolled away, prays to the Father, and calls Lazarus out of the tomb. Lazarus is resurrected from the dead.
• Scripture: John 11:1-44
• Significance: The raising of Lazarus is one of Jesus’ most profound miracles, directly demonstrating His power over death. It also foreshadows His own resurrection. The miracle leads many to believe in Jesus, but it also sets in motion the events that will lead to His own death, as the religious leaders fear His growing influence.

8. The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

• Event: Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. Crowds wave palm branches and shout “Hosanna!” acknowledging Him as the Messiah.
• Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, John 12:12-19
• Significance: The Triumphal Entry is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, signaling that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah. The crowds’ recognition of Jesus as King is significant, but their understanding of His kingship is incomplete. They expect a political savior, but Jesus’ mission is spiritual, and He will soon demonstrate that His Kingdom is not of this world.

9. The Last Supper

• Event: Jesus shares a final meal with His disciples before His crucifixion. During this meal, He institutes the practice of Communion, breaking bread and offering wine as symbols of His body and blood, which will be sacrificed for the forgiveness of sins.
• Scripture: Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-23, John 13:1-17
• Significance: The Last Supper marks the establishment of the New Covenant between God and humanity, sealed by the blood of Jesus. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifice Jesus is about to make and calls His followers to live in remembrance of Him.

10. The Arrest and Trial of Jesus

• Event: After praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus is arrested by the temple guards. He is taken to trial before the Sanhedrin, and later, to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Despite being found innocent, He is sentenced to crucifixion.
• Scripture: Matthew 26:36-75, Mark 14:32-72, Luke 22:39-71, John 18:1-27
• Significance: The arrest and trial of Jesus fulfill the prophecies of the suffering Servant in Isaiah 53. It shows the unjust treatment He endured for the sake of humanity’s redemption. Jesus’ willingness to face trial and suffering reveals His obedience to the Father’s will and His love for humanity, even in the face of immense suffering.

These events from the life of Jesus Christ continue to reveal His divine authority, His role as the Savior, and His ultimate mission to redeem humanity through His death and resurrection. As we continue in Part 3, we will delve deeper into His Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurrection—the central acts of Christian faith.