One purpose of this timeline is to show that all 4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are in complete harmony with each other even though they were written from 4 totally different perspectives, but the most important purpose is to show how much God really loves us.
The ministry of Jesus lasted only 3 1/2 years. (This was predicted, as shown in the "Daniel 8 & 9" timeline.) The Devil had falsely accused God of being unfair, unkind, unloving and unjust. Jesus' focus was to show God's true character to everyone; to show that His character was very fair, very kind, very loving and very just.
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It would be well for us to
spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ.
We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each
scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great
sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love
will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If
we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and
humiliation at the foot of the cross. Many of the words and acts
of Jesus appear mysterious to finite minds, but every word and act
had its definite purpose in the work for our redemption; each was
calculated to produce its own result. When the Savior began His ministry, the popular conception
of the Messiah and His work was such as wholly unfitted the people to
receive Him. The spirit of true devotion had been lost in tradition and
ceremonialism, and the prophecies were interpreted at the dictate of
proud, world-loving hearts. |
All of Jesus' ministry was spent for the good of people. Even when He drove the animal dealers and "money changers" from the Temple, He was doing it for the good of all people, even for the good of those He drove out. (They were just interested in money, but He wanted to give them something far better; eternal life and real happiness.)
"Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.' 1 Corinthians 3:11. 'Upon this rock,' said Jesus, 'I will build My church.' In the presence of God, and all the heavenly intelligences, in the presence of the unseen army of hell, Christ founded His church upon the living Rock. That Rock is Himself,--His own body, for us broken and bruised. Against the church built upon this foundation, the gates of hell shall not prevail."
"For six thousand years, faith has built upon Christ. For six thousand years the floods and tempests of satanic wrath have beaten upon the Rock of our salvation; but it stands unmoved." (Quotes from the book The Desire of Ages, page 413.)
Another purpose of this timeline is to assist you as you try to "visualize" when one event happened in relation to another. Of course, only a few of the events in the ministry of Jesus are on this timeline, but there are enough to help us see a little of God's love and to help us realize a little of what Jesus went through just to save us from the results of sin.
(An online Bible Search Tool is provided for your convenience. For additional online Bible study help, visit one of our links.)
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