Carpenter, Fisherman, Teacher, Messiah
Jesus Christ sometimes called Jesus of Nazareth is the central figure of the Christian faith/religion, was born of a virgin woman and he is believed to be an incarnate of God the Son and the savior of the whole human race (Messiah). Jesus Christ is best known for his death, resurrection and ascension.
Glimpses About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ a Jew by genealogy was born in Bethlehem circa 4 BC before the death of Herod the great (AD 28–30). His parents were relatively poor and he was a friend to the poor/needy. At age 30, he commenced his ministry as a prolific Preacher, Teacher and Healer after being baptized by John his cousin. He had 12 disciples and other followers too; Jesus preached/thought vehemently about the coming of God’s Kingdom. His moral teachings, outlined in the Sermon on the Mount, and his reported miracles won him a growing number of followers, who believed that he was the promised Messiah. The Elites of his time never liked his methods of teaching and miracles; they deemed him to be a rebel, troublemaker, an impostor and demoniac. He was betrayed by one of his disciples to the Roman authority, arrested, convicted, humiliated, tortured and crucified afterward in Jerusalem. Jesus Christ died and was buried at age 33 and he rose from the grave after 3 days. According to the Gospels, he appeared several times to his disciples before ascending into heaven. Jesus Christ is alive.
Who Are The Hebrews?
The biography of Jesus of Nazareth won’t be complete without a narration of the Jewish/Israelite history.
Israelite are descendants of Abraham to Isaac from the lineage of Jacob (was later called Israel) and not through Ishmael and Esau. The man, Ishmael, although a son of Abraham, he wasn’t a child of promise, but of a bondwoman (Hagar the Egyptian slave).
Israel with 70 of his descendants migrated to Egypt during the great famine. Subsequently, the Israelite became slaves and served the Egyptians/Pharaoh with anguish for 400 years. According, to the biblical narration, they groaned bitterly and God sent a deliverer, who was Prophet Moses that he led them back to the promised land called Canaan (present day Israel).
Jews lived in Israel at the time of Christ. They probably did not feel very safe. Once their country had been very powerful. David and Solomon had been their notable kings. That was over a 1000 years ago. Now they were not powerful. The people had done wrong things.
They had not obeyed God. God had spoken to Abraham and Moses. He had given them a Covenant (made a special agreement with them). But the people did not obey God’s rules. God punished them. He made them leave their country the second time.
God had told them that he would do this. In 586 BC, enemies burned down the Temple of Solomon. This temple was one of the most wonderful buildings in the world. The enemies took away everything that was inside the Temple. The Babylonians did that.
After 70 years, some of the Jews returned to Israel. But it was very difficult to live there. While the Jews were away, many foreigners had come to live there. After some time the Jews did build the Temple again. This was much smaller than Solomon’s Temple. It was not so beautiful as it was then.
At this time, there were very strong rulers in the world. There were very strong countries. People from Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Persia and Greece were very powerful. Their armies marched into many countries.
Reference: Genesis 15:13
Armies from Greece Enter Israel
Afterwards, Alexander the Great (from Greece) entered Israel and many other countries. Alexander was not only a military leader. He also introduced new ideas to these countries. He made the Greek language and customs popular. Some Jews began to serve false Greek gods.
After Alexander’s death, his Generals (important officers) fought against each other. Each one wanted to rule parts of his lands. Some of these battles were in Israel. Then one General damaged the Temple, which the Jews had rebuilt. This General did some evil things in the Temple.
He killed people who would not serve his false Greek gods. So, some Jews became very angry, but helpless to revolt the Greece army.
Who Are The Maccabees?
The Maccabees were a family. They wanted the Jews to serve the true God only. And they opposed the false Greek gods. The Maccabees encouraged the Jews to fight their enemies. Maccabees only ruled Israel for a short time.
