Jesus Christ – The Master Who Called the Twelve
Key Moments in the Life of Jesus
God became flesh (John 1:14)
Voice from heaven, Spirit descends (Matt 3:16–17)
Chose them to be with Him (Mark 3:13–19)
Revealed in glory (Matt 17:1–8)
Crucified for sins (John 19:16–30)
Rose on the third day (Luke 24:1–12)
The Incarnation – God With Us
Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1–7; Matthew 1:18–25). Angels announced His birth as Savior, Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).
From the beginning, Jesus was fully God and fully man — the Word made flesh. He grew up in Nazareth, lived a sinless life, and fulfilled every prophecy about the Messiah (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2). His incarnation is the foundation of everything that follows — God entered human history to save sinners.
The Baptism & Temptation – The Beginning of Ministry
At about thirty years of age, Jesus came to John the Baptist at the Jordan. Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:13–17). The heavens opened, the Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father’s voice declared: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Immediately the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for forty days (Matthew 4:1–11). He overcame every temptation with the word of God. This victory prepared Him for public ministry and demonstrated His perfect obedience as the true Israel and the last Adam.
“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” — Matthew 3:17 (AKJV)
Calling the Twelve – Choosing the Apostles
After beginning His public ministry, Jesus spent a night in prayer and then called twelve men to be with Him and to be sent out to preach (Mark 3:13–19; Luke 6:12–16). He named them apostles — sent ones.
The Twelve were chosen from ordinary people — fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, and others — showing that God’s kingdom is built on grace, not human merit. Jesus invested three years teaching them, showing them His works, and preparing them to carry the gospel to the world after His departure (John 17:18).
The Transfiguration – Glory Revealed
Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain where He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, His clothes became dazzling white, and Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Him (Matthew 17:1–8; Mark 9:2–8).
The Father’s voice again declared: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” This moment gave the disciples a glimpse of Jesus’ divine glory and confirmed His identity before the cross. It strengthened them for the suffering ahead.
The Cross – The Climax of His Mission
Jesus came to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). He was betrayed by Judas, arrested, falsely tried, scourged, and crucified outside Jerusalem (John 19:16–30; Matthew 27:32–56).
On the cross He bore the sins of the world, cried out “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” fulfilling Psalm 22, and declared “It is finished.” He died, was buried, and rose on the third day — the cornerstone of the Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
The Resurrection & Great Commission
On the third day Jesus rose from the dead (Luke 24:1–12; John 20:1–18). He appeared to the disciples over forty days, proving He was alive (Acts 1:3).
Before ascending to heaven, He gave the Great Commission: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” (Matthew 28:18–20). The apostles were to be witnesses of these things to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
Ascension & Present Reign
Jesus led the disciples out to Bethany and was taken up into heaven while blessing them (Luke 24:50–51; Acts 1:9–11). Angels declared He would return in the same way.
Now exalted at the right hand of God, Jesus intercedes for His people (Hebrews 7:25), reigns as King of kings, and will return to judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42; 2 Timothy 4:1). Every knee will bow to Him (Philippians 2:9–11).
Legacy
Jesus is not merely one among many great teachers or religious figures — He is the eternal Son of God, the Creator who became flesh, the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), the risen Lord who sits at the right hand of the Father.
All the apostles pointed to Him. Their lives, ministries, and deaths were testimonies to His reality. The church exists to proclaim Him, obey Him, and await His return. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the one who was, who is, and who is to come (Revelation 1:8). To know Jesus is to know God (John 14:9). He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).