Part 5 (1/2)

4. =Jerusalem, the place of the Temple=; the Jewish capital, due west of the northern point of the Dead Sea. Find three visits of Jesus to the temple during this period. 1.) In his infancy (Luke 2. 22). 2.) In his youth (Luke 2. 42). 3.) In his manhood (Luke 4. 9).

5. =Bethlehem, the place of his birth.= (Matt. 2. 1). This was six miles south of Jerusalem, in Judea.

6. =Egypt, the place of his refuge.= (Matt. 2. 14). This was the land south-west of Palestine, where Jesus was taken in his infancy in order to escape from King Herod.

Let the student 1.) Draw a map showing these places. 2.) Memorize the list. 3.) With each place name its event in the life of Jesus. 4.) Find other events of Scripture history connected with these places.

II. Let us arrange in order the =Events= of this period. 1. =The annunciation of his birth.= 1.) To Mary (Luke 1. 26-38). 2.) To Joseph (Matt. 1. 20, 21). 3.) To Simeon (Luke 2. 25, 26). 4.) To the shepherds (Luke 2. 8-11).

2. =The birth at Bethlehem.= Note the purpose for which Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem (Luke 2. 1-4). The circ.u.mstances of his birth (Luke 2.

6, 7).

3. =The welcome to the child.= 1.) On the night of his birth (Luke 2.

15). 2.) A few days later (Matt. 2. 1, 11). 3.) In the temple (Luke 2.

25-28, 36, 38).

4. =The refuge in Egypt= (Matt. 2. 13-15). This may have been for a few weeks, a few months, or for a few years.

5. =The childhood at Nazareth= (Matt. 2. 22, 23; Luke 2. 39, 40). By what route would the journey from Egypt be made?

6. =The visit to the temple.= Read the account in Luke 2. 41-52, and notice: 1.) The age of Jesus. 2.) The object of the journey. 3.) Probable route. 4.) Where he tarried and why. 5.) The objects of his interest. 6.) Traits of his character shown.

7. =The silent years.= From the age of twelve to that of thirty no events are named. His home was still at Nazareth (John 1. 45).

8. =The woodworker at Nazareth.= From the fact that Joseph is not referred to after the visit to the temple it may be presumed that he died before the ministry of Jesus began. He had been a ”carpenter”

(Matt. 13. 35); although the word means, more precisely, ”a skilled worker in wood,” and may refer to the making of almost anything except houses, which were not built of wood. Jesus followed the same trade (Mark 6. 3) and, as the oldest son, supported his widowed mother and younger brothers and sisters (Mark 6. 3).

9. =The baptism in Jordan.= Compare the four accounts (Matt. 3. 13-17; Mark 1. 9-11; Luke 3. 21, 22; John 1. 28-34); and find: 1.) The place.

2.) The age of Jesus. 3.) The baptizer. 4.) The divine manifestation.

10. =The temptation in the wilderness.= This followed immediately upon the baptism, and was a preparation for his ministry (Matt. 4. 1-11; Mark 1. 12, 13; Luke 4. 1-13). Note: 1.) The place. 2.) The personality of the tempter. 3.) The three forms of temptation. 4.) How repelled. 5.) The result.

Let the student, 1.) Memorize these nine events in their order. 2.) Read the account of each in the gospels. 3.) Recall where each took place.

4.) Notice what other persons besides Jesus are named in the period (for example, Joseph, Mary, Simeon, Anna, Herod, etc.) and each one's part in the events.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _JOURNEYS OF 30 YEARS OF PREPARATION_]

III. Draw the map of Palestine, locating upon it the live places named; and then indicate the following =Journeys= of the period: 1. From Bethlehem to Jerusalem (for the presentation in the temple) and return.

2. From Bethlehem to Egypt (flight from Herod). 3. From Egypt to Nazareth. 4. From Nazareth to Jerusalem and return (visit to temple). 5.

From Nazareth to Bethabara (baptism). 6. Bethabara to the wilderness (temptation).

IV. Let us now study the =External Conditions= of Christ's life during this period.

1. =The family.= The royal line of both Joseph and Mary (Matt. 1. 1; Luke 1. 27, 32). Their obscure social condition (Matt. 13. 54, 55). In all probability they belonged to the better cla.s.s of self-supporting workers: for Joseph followed a trade.

2. =The house.= Probably like those of working people in Palestine; built of clay, one story high, containing but one room with no window, but lighted through the door; whitewashed on the outside; floor of earth.

3. =The furniture.= A couch that could be rolled up (Mark 2. 12). A lamp, a lamp-stand, ”the bushel” (used as seat, table, and dish (Matt.