This series of blogs is the life of Jesus in chronological order.

In Capernaum, Jesus healed a demoniac on the Sabbath day and healed Peter’s mother. Matt.4:14-17; Isa.53:4. When preaching in Galilee, Jesus cleansed a leper. This miracle had not been performed in Israel since Elijah prayed for Naaman the Syrian and not for an Israelite since Moses. Jesus had already spoken to Nicodemas and the religious leaders knew that Jesus was of God. The religious leaders enjoyed great wealth and power and like Herod weren’t easily persuaded to give up all for God. This miracle marked the beginning of the end for the religious leaders and they knew it. Matt.8:1-5; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16;
Lev.13:49; 14:2f.; Luke 4:27.
In Capernaum, Jesus began to reveal himself as Messiah. He healed a paralytic and forgave him his sins. Only God can forgive sins. Matt.9:1-8; Mark 2:1-13; Luke 5:17:26; Ps.32:5; Isa.43:25.
Jesus and his disciples went to Jerusalem for the Passover. On the way back, they passed through a grain field and picked grain to eat and healed a man on the Sabbath day. The religious leaders began disputing with him about his actions on the Sabbath day. The Sabbath was instiuted by God to honor him. To honor God, one must do his will. To do God’s will is to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8.
For the letter of the Law kills, but the Spirit gives life. Again the religious leaders see their kingdom falling and want to kill Jesus. Matt.12:1-21; Mark 2:23-28; 3:1-6; Luke 6:1-11; Deut.5:14; 2 Cor.3:6.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

Jesus always entered into a synagogue on the Sabbath day. There he would read and teach from the scriptures. Jesus was a rabbi. Today, the reading schedule in the synagogues have a 1 year cycle. During the second Temple period, the reading schedule was much longer, approximately 3 1/2 years. The correlation of the of the reading schedule and Jesus’ ministry is not happenstance. As Jesus would teach the scriptures in the synagogues, he would go into the streets and perform the Word of God. Jesus said it himself, he came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, for the Word of God is in thought, word, and deed.
Jesus had lived in Nazareth, one Sabbath he went in to the synagogue. The scribes asked him to read. He read from Isaiah 61:1,2 and then taught the people. Jesus said that this scripture was fulfilled in their sight. At this time every man was looking for the Messiah, Jesus told them plainly who he was. They rejected Him, through their unbelief. He left Nazareth and went to Capernaum, and made it his home, to fulfill the Word of God. Matt.4:13-16; Isa.9:1,2.
As Jesus walked through the countryside by the Sea of Galilee, He began his ministry. Calling his disciples, teaching, healing and meeting all the needs of the people. As He walked he did the Will of God. Matt.4:18-25; Mark 1:14-20; Luke 5:1-11.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

Herod Antipas and his adulterous wife got very tired of John the Baptist calling them adulterers in public. They decided to imprison John. Herod knew that the people regarded John as a prophet, so he was careful not to harm him.
John, like any other God-fearing, Bible believing Jew, was looking for the kingdom of God. Not seeing it physically established, he sent one of his disciples to Jesus to ask him why not. Jesus said, “Tell John what you see and hear, that the kingdom of God is being established in the hearts and minds of the people.”
During one of Herod’s palace parties, his step-daughter, Salome danced for him. He liked it so much, that he offered her anything up to half of his kingdom. Herod’s wife told her to ask for John’s head on a platter. Reluctantly, Herod agreed.
Jesus stayed in Judea until the first rains. He then went home to Galilee. On his way home, he took a detour straight through Samaria. To us it doesn’t seem unusual, but to a Jew it was next to blasphemy. the Jews considered the Samaritans, dogs or outcast pagans. The attitude the Jews had toward the Samaritans is not an uncommon one amongst God fearing Bible believing people. John 2.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

On the opposite side of Jerusalem is the Valley of Hinnon. It is just the opposite of the Mount of Olives. This is where the children of Israel built altars to Baal and high places to every idol. It is also where Golgatha is located. No wonder, this valley is called in Hebrew, Gehenna (hell).(Rev.19,20).
God is not unrighteous toward any man. In the Law, God provided for every family to be able to sacrifice an offering at the Temple. If you couldn’t afford a lamb or goat, you could offer turtle doves, as did Joseph and Mary.
At this time the Sadducees were in power as the priests and High Priests. They were in the ministry for the money and power. The Sadducees had set up, inside the Temple walls, their bankers, money changers, dove and lamb sellers and any other merchant that would go with each appropriate feast.
Jesus and his disciples walked down from the Mt. of Olives to the Temple. As they entered into the courtyard, there were the Sadducees’ people selling merchandise. Jesus became angered by this abomination. He pick up a 3 fold cord, not easily broken, and begins to chase these thieves out of his Father’s house. Then the Sadducees asked Jesus by what authority do you do this.?
After Jesus stood up to the Sadducees in the temple, a chief Rabbi, Rav Nicodemas came to Jesus to question him. For a man to be a rabbi, he literally had to memorize the bible. Nicodemas and the true religious leaders knew that a Messiah was coming and the time was right for Him.
So Nicodemas came to question Jesus about this very thing. There on the Mt. of Olives, one evening Nicodemas asked Jesus, “Are you the one, or are we to look for another?” Jesus began to explain how a man can enter the kingdom of God. He literally answered all of Nicodemas’ questions and from that point, he believed. John 2.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

Jesus remained in Galilee until the rainy season ended in the spring. At this time every believer would go up to Jerusalem. It was the Feast of Passover.
There are 3 feast in which every believer must attend. Passover, Pentecost and Feast of Tabernacles. When Jesus and his disciples arrived in Jerusalem, there were Jews from all over the world. Though God had provided in the Law for believers to share their homes with traveling brethren, there wasn’t much space left. This time of year in Israel, the temperature is very moderate and the skies are clear. So it wouldn’t be unusual for someone to camp out. Jesus chose a beautiful spot on the Mount of Olives, The garden of Gethsemane.
So much has happened on that hill. It is on the east side of Jerusalem overlooking the temple, just outside the Golden Gate. Even to this day, the city of Jerusalem inside the walls are made out of a certain stone. When the light from the sun hits the stones, it turns a sparkling pink. From the Mount of Olives, you can see the Golden crown of the Temple. Imagine in you mind, early morning in Jerusalem as the sun rises in the east. The city begins to stir. The priests prepare the Temple for the sacrifices and you are standing next to Jesus on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the city of our King. The beautiful colors, the sweet smelling sacrifices and worship in the Temple. O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem! The beauty of the whole earth. John 2.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

Jesus began to select His disciples. They were staying at Peter’s home in Capernaum. God said in Exodus 15, I am the Lord that healeth thee. Jesus, as He walked by the seashore, would preach and heal everyone who asked. His fame began to spread throughout the region. People would come to Him at night for healing. For all the preachers at that time, no one was praying for healing. Even then, Jesus would find a solitary place to pray and renew His strength. Healing was a large part of Jesus’s ministry. Many people followed Jesus because of that. But healing without faith is nothing. There are many people who have received miracles and still walked away from God. Jesus healed because of His compassion for people. But to live the life of healing and health requires our faith and trust in Jesus. Jesus moved healing from the future tense to past tense. And by His stripes we are healed, 1 Peter 2. We serve a healing God.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com

There is nothing that will gather the family together as a wedding or a funeral. Jesus’s family gathered for a wedding in Cana in Galilee. Jesus’s disciples were there too. Weddings in Jesus’s time lasted for days. The groom’s family were in charge of the food and drink. And if they ran out, it was a disgrace to the family. Apparently, more people attended the wedding than were expected and they ran out of wine. Mary overheard the steward talking about it. She went to Jesus and told Him. Jesus said, what do you want me to do? Mary told the steward to do whatever Jesus said. He told him to fill the 6 water pots, 100 gallons each. Then draw a laddle full and take to the chief steward. The chief steward drank and went to the bridegroom. He said, normally people start with the best wine, but you have wanted until now. This was Jesus’s first miracle. The reference is the Holy Ghost. He is the new wine. The best is reserved for last.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com

Jesus returned from the wilderness, walking passed John the Baptist. When he saw Jesus, said behold the lamb of God. The 2 disciples, one being Peter’s brother Andrew, standing next to John, followed Jesus. They ask Him where He lived. Jesus said follow me. They stayed the night talking to Jesus. The disciples returned home. And Jesus returned to Nazareth. The next sabbath Jesus preached in the synagogue in Nazareth. He stood up and preached from Isaiah ch.61. Which describes the messiah. Jesus said that this scripture is fulfilled in your ears. They wanted to throw Him off a cliff. Jesus moved to Capernaum. As Jesus was walking on the seashore, He saw Andrew, Peter’s brother, and called him to follow. Andrew went to his brother and told him I found the messiah. Jesus called Peter. Then John and James, then Philip and Nathanael. Jesus was calling the 12 disciples. He had begun healing people. And people were following Him. For now Jesus and His disciples were staying at Peter’s house.

After everyone had repented of their sins and was baptized in water before Yom Kippur, the high priest would lay hands on a scapegoat to transfer the sins of Israel to it. And lead it into the wilderness to be consumed by God. Jesus was baptized in water by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. He was lead into the wilderness by the Holy Ghost, there to be tempted by the devil. Each time the devil tempted Jesus, He said something interesting, it is written. Jesus quoted the bible to the devil. The word of God is sharper and more powerful than any two-edged sword, even to divide soul and spirit. Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days and nights, fasting. Just as Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights fasting. Just before Jesus was led into the wilderness, John the Baptist saw Jesus and said, behold the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. Jesus is our scapegoat.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com

John was sent by God to begin baptizing people in River Jordan. He was baptizing for people to repent for the remission of sin. Religious leaders came out to see if John was the Christ. All Israel was expecting the messiah. John told them he wasn’t the one. There one coming after him that was. John said I baptize in water for the remission of sin, but He that comes after me will baptize in the Holy Ghost and fire. John exhorted the people to bring forth fruit of their repentance. John saw Jesus and said, behold the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. Jesus came to be baptized, but John said no, I must be baptized. Jesus said to fulfill all righteousness, I will be baptized. When Jesus came out of the water, a dove from heaven descended upon Him. And a voice from heaven said, this is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. The power of the Holy Ghost came upon Jesus and compelled Him into the wilderness. Matt.3, Mark 1, Luke 3, John 1.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com