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1 Eyewitnesses begin their amazing testimony.2 The ancestry of Jesus is recorded.3 An angel meets Zechariah in the Temple.4 A child is miraculously conceived.5 Mary visits her aunt Elizabeth.6 John, son of Zechariah, is born.7 Shepherds hear news about a baby in a manger.8 Wise men search for the new king of the Jews.9 Jesus grows up in Nazareth.10 John, son of Zechariah, becomes John the Baptizer.
11 John baptizes Jesus.12 The Holy Spirit leads Jesus to an encounter with Satan.13 John the Baptizer recognizes Jesus as the Lamb of God.14 Disciples of John the Baptizer meet Jesus for the first time.15 The wedding feast continues after Jesus changes water into wine.16 The merchants are driven out of the Temple.17 Nicodemus learns about spiritual birth.18 Jesus and his disciples baptize many in Judea.19 A Samaritan woman comes for water and finds life.20 A government official seeks healing for his sick son.
21 At his boyhood home, Jesus is rejected.22 Jesus invites some men to follow him.23 A man possessed by an evil spirit is delivered.24 Peter’s mother-in-law is healed.25 Jesus works after sunset.26 Fishermen are taught about fishing.27 A leper is cleansed.28 A paralyzed man is lowered through the roof to see Jesus.29 Matthew is invited to follow Jesus.30 The disciples don’t follow religious tradition.
31 A man with a shriveled hand is healed on the Sabbath.32 Jesus teaches a large crowd at the Galilean seashore.33 Jesus selects twelve apostles out of his group of followers.34 Jesus teaches about blessings that follow tough times.35 God’s people are to let their light shine.36 God seeks righteous behavior that is more than the Law required.37 People are to show kindness to even their enemies.38 Jesus teaches about prayer.39 What you treasure needs to have lasting value.40 Jesus teaches the principles of God’s Kingdom.
41 A Roman officer recognizes Jesus as a man under God’s command.42 A widow’s son at Nain is raised from the dead.43 Jesus gives testimony about John the Baptizer.44 People are rebuked for not believing.45 A Pharisee invites Jesus to dinner and learns about forgiveness.46 Jesus is accused of using satanic power when he casts out evil spirits.47 Jesus identifies his true family.48 Jesus uses a farming illustration to teach about hearing God’s word.49 Jesus describes what the Kingdom of God is like.50 Jesus calms a violent storm.
51 Jesus delivers a man who was possessed by many evil spirits.52 Jairus’s daughter is raised from the dead.53 Jesus is like the prophet who isn’t appreciated in his own country.54 Jesus sends workers into the fields.55 A lame man at the Bethesda pool is healed.56 Jesus claims equality with God.57 Herod thinks John the Baptizer has returned from the dead.58 With five loaves, Jesus feeds five thousand men.59 Jesus walks with Peter on the water.60 Jesus is the bread of life.
61 Traditions of men don’t make people right with God.62 A Greek woman begs help for her daughter.63 Jesus does spectacular miracles.64 With seven loaves, Jesus feeds four thousand men.65 Religious leaders ask for undeniable proof.66 Jesus warns of danger in religious teachings.67 A man sees trees that walk.68 Peter recognizes Jesus as the Messiah sent from God.69 Three disciples see Jesus talk with Moses and Elijah.70 Jesus delivers when the disciples can’t.
71 The disciples receive private tutoring.72 Jesus goes to Jerusalem unannounced.73 Guards are sent to arrest Jesus.
74 Jesus forgives a woman who was caught in adultery.75 Jesus teaches in the Temple.76 Jesus sends another seventy-two disciples into the fields of ministry.77 A good Samaritan helping a Jew shows how to love others.78 Jesus heals a man who was born blind.79 The good shepherd cares for his sheep.80 Martha becomes frustrated with her sister’s behavior.
74 Jesus forgives a woman who was caught in adultery.75 Jesus teaches in the Temple.76 Jesus sends another seventy-two disciples into the fields of ministry.77 A good Samaritan helping a Jew shows how to love others.78 Jesus heals a man who was born blind.79 The good shepherd cares for his sheep.80 Martha becomes frustrated with her sister’s behavior.
81 The disciples learn more about how to pray.82 from an evil spirit, a man is able to speak.83 A Pharisee asks Jesus to dinner.84 Jesus warns against religious hypocrisy.85 A rich man shows how greed is never satisfied.86 The Lord’s coming requires constant readiness.87 Jesus stresses the importance of bearing fruit.88 The Kingdom demands a wholehearted effort.89 People start to stone Jesus for blasphemy.90 Pharisees reveal a threat on Jesus’ life.
91 Jesus teaches about the banquet table.92 A builder must count the cost.93 That which is lost is especially important.94 Jesus teaches on faithfulness.95 Jesus teaches about divorce.96 A dead man wants to tell his brothers about his eternal torment.97 Servants must be faithful to their duties.98 Lazarus is raised from the dead.99 One of ten lepers thanks Jesus.100 Jesus tells about the day of his return.
101 Jesus teaches about prayer.102 The value of children is stressed.103 People should recognize the value of eternal rewards.104 The disciples are told that Jesus must suffer and die.105 Two disciples seek the highest honor.106 Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Jesus.
107 Two blind men want to see.108 Mary anoints Jesus with expensive perfume.109 People cheer as Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey.110 Some Greek men want to see Jesus.
107 Two blind men want to see.108 Mary anoints Jesus with expensive perfume.109 People cheer as Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey.110 Some Greek men want to see Jesus.
111 Jesus curses a fig tree.112 Religious leaders question Jesus’ authority.113 Sharecroppers kill the landowner’s son.114 Jesus compares the Kingdom to a wedding feast.115 Religious leaders seek to trap Jesus with a question about taxes.116 Jesus teaches about life after death.117 A man asks what is the most important commandment.118 Jesus answers a question about the Messiah.119 Jesus condemns the religious leaders.120 A widow gives everything to God.
121 Jesus reveals what will happen before his return.122 A good servant works without supervision.123 A story about ten virgins shows the importance of being ready.124 People have a responsibility to use what they have been given.125 Jesus compares God’s judgment to the separation of sheep and goats.126 Judas agrees to betray Jesus.127 Two disciples prepare for Passover.128 Jesus celebrates Passover with the disciples.129 Jesus washes the disciples’ feet.130 Jesus predicts his betrayal.
131 Peter declares his loyalty, but Jesus predicts denial.132 Jesus gives final words to his disciples.133 On the way to Gethsemane, Jesus teaches his disciples.134 Jesus gives an intercessory prayer.135 Jesus prays at Gethsemane.136 Religious leaders arrest Jesus.137 Jesus is tried before Caiaphas.138 The ruling council gives Jesus the death sentence.139 Judas commits suicide.140 Jesus stands before Pilate.
141 Pilate sends Jesus to Herod Antipas.142 Pilate pacifies the mob by ordering Jesus to be crucified.143 On the way to crucifixion, Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry Jesus’ cross.144 Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies.145 Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus give Jesus a hasty burial before sundown.146 The tomb is opened, and people can’t find Jesus’ body.147 Jesus appears to two of his followers on the way to Emmaus.148 Jesus appears to his disciples for the first time.149 The disciples watch Jesus ascend into the clouds
1 Eyewitnesses begin their amazing testimony.
Genesis 1:1–3; Isaiah 9:2; Malachi 3:1; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:1–4; John 1:1–18; 2 Peter 1:16; 1 John 1:1; Revelation 13:8
How do you reconcile the biblical creation in six days with scientists’ claims that current conditions evolved over billions of years (Genesis 1:1–2)?
Author’s Thoughts
God’s perspective is different from ours.
Considering different perspectives can give us a better understanding of reality.
One day isn’t much different from 365,000 days (2 Peter 3:8). Since God’s view of time isn’t the same as ours, his six days of creations might easily be the same as our 13.8 billion years. Both could be true.
A “day” is a “length of time.
The Hebrew word yowm, which is usually translated “day,” can refer to any period of time with a beginning, middle, and end. In the Genesis creation story, the six periods could even be of different lengths.
In his book The Science of God, Gerald Schroeder makes an interesting comparison between Earth time and God’s time for creation, associating distinct developmental periods with each of the six days, from the Big Bang to human beings on Earth.
What we can see is always a fraction of what God sees.
The prophet probably made an understatement when he said that God’s thoughts are as distant from ours as the stars (Isaiah 55:9). Whatever the distance is, we should recognize our extreme disadvantage in trying to discover the truth on our own. We’re like an ant building a research mound to study quantum physics.
Hypothetically, how long do you think God would need to create an adult male? Would it be an instantaneous miracle, a five-minute process, or a longer period of time? Whatever length you choose, that time can’t match what our independent observation would insist was true—that an eighteen-year-old adult male took eighteen years to develop.
Given the fact that God created the universe, we have no means to place limits on the amount of time he chose to take. As far as we know, he is capable of creating a billion-year-old rock in a day.
What we do know for sure is that he took whatever amount of time was needed for each stage of creation to perfectly suit his purpose, since each “day” was judged to be “good.”
Since God is infinitely great, learning more about him and his creation can continue forever.
What do you think is the best proof of God’s existence (Romans 1:20)?
Author’s Thoughts
Nothing will prove God’s existence.
“Nothing” is the answer when someone doesn’t want to believe. As Benjamin Franklin once said: “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.”
Everything will prove God’s existence.
“Everything” is the answer when someone does want to believe. The apostle Paul said we have no excuse for not believing, “since the power and nature of our invisible God can be clearly observed in his creation” (Romans 1:20).
Seeing is not always believing.
Many people saw Jesus’ miracles, yet didn’t believe. After Jesus was crucified and buried, more than 500 people at one time saw him alive, yet those eyewitnesses were not enough to convince everyone that he had risen from the dead.
We can believe whatever we want. It doesn’t have to be true. To believe a lie, all we have to do is reject all evidence that conflicts with what we want to believe.
Thomas, who wouldn’t accept the word of eyewitnesses, heard Jesus say, “Blessed are those who have not seen me, yet believe” (John 20:29).
The best proof is what we already know.
When an atheist quits lying to himself, he has to say, “If God isn’t real, why am I so motivated to argue that he isn’t real?” The truth is, he already knows but doesn’t want to admit it. After choosing to believe, he will say, “I always knew.”
A song by David says, “Only a fool would say in his heart, There is no God (Psalm 14:1). Someone who honestly doesn’t know would be called ignorant or uninformed, but that’s not the definition of a fool. When someone knows the truth but denies it, he’s a fool.
People don’t like being called fools.
Most people will defend the lies they believe when told they are wrong, which explains why that approach seldom ever works. If they don’t respect Scripture, quoting truth from the Bible won’t help either.
In proving God’s existence, what works best?
Do what the apostle Paul did on Mars Hill when he spoke to the Athenians. Instead of saying their gods weren’t real, he took advantage of their belief in an unknown God. He quoted their own truth that pointed to God’s existence, saying, “He is not far from any one of us. In him we live and move and have our being, as your own poet Epimenides has said, for we are his children” (Acts 17:27–28).
Why do some people deny God’s existence (Psalm 14:1; Romans 1:21)?
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John describes Jesus as the “Word made flesh” (John 1:1, 6–7), the means by which our universe was created, the physical reality where we currently live. In what way is Jesus’ identity different from or to be included with what we worship as “God” or “our Father”?
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Light is sometimes used in reference to God, darkness in reference to all that is evil. What is the value of that analogy (John 1:4–5)?
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If God doesn’t want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9), we might understand that his light shines upon everyone and we are all without excuse (Romans 1:20). How important is letting the light of God shine through our lives (Romans 10:14)?
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John preached a message much different from anything heard in synagogues or the Temple. Under what circumstances do you think God gave him the message that he delivered to the people (John 1:6–9)?
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What reasons do human beings have to recognize their Creator (Genesis 1:27; John 1:10)?
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The Old Testament describes people seeing God. How do you reconcile that fact with John’s statement that no one has ever seen God (Genesis 12:7; 17:1; 18:1; 26:2, 24; Exodus 3:16; 1 Samuel 3:21; 1 Kings 3:5; 9:2; Jeremiah 31:3; John 1:18; Revelation 13:8)?
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Why did some believe Jesus while many others did not (John 1:11, 14)?
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How would you describe the difference between Law and Grace (John 1:13, 16)?
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Why might it be difficult to understand that Jesus and God have no beginning or end but have always been (John 1:1)?
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Some eyewitnesses saw the glory of God’s son, but others saw something else. They were looking at the same person, so how could people see something different (John 1:14)?
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What reasons do we have to believe the eyewitness testimonies in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are true (Luke 1:1, 3)?
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In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was a formless void covered by darkness when the Spirit of God began to move over the surface.
Genesis 1:1–2 In the beginning, God created the skies above and the earth below. The earth was a formless void covered by darkness when the Spirit of God began to move over the surface.
Genesis 1:1–2 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
The Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God, in the beginning. Everything was created by him.
John 1:1–3 He was with God, and he was God, in the beginning. The Word already existed. Everything was created by him. Nothing existed that he did not make.
John 1:1–3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Nothing existed that he did not make. Life itself came from him, and this life gave light to everyone. When God said, “Let there be light,” the light shone in the darkness, and the darkness could not overcome it.
Genesis 1:3 God said, “Let there be light,” and light exploded into existence.
John 1:3–5 Everything was created by him. Nothing exists that he did not make. Life itself came from him, and this life gave light to everyone. The light shone in the darkness, and the darkness could not overcome it.
Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
John 1:3–5 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
The prophet Isaiah wrote: People who walk in darkness will see a bright light. Upon those who live under dark shadows of death, the light will shine.
Isaiah 9:2 People walking in darkness will see a bright light. Upon those who live under dark shadows of death, the light will shine.
Isaiah 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Here begins the wonderful news about Jesus the Messiah, the Lamb who has been slain since the founding of the world. God sent John the Baptizer to spread the news about the light so people might believe. John was not the light, but he came to testify that the true light would come into the world to shine on everyone. He pointed out Jesus, then shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming who is far greater than I am, because he existed long before I did.’”
Malachi 3:1 “See, I will send my messenger to prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you seek will come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight is surely coming,” says the Lord of Hosts.
Mark 1:1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, Son of God.
John 1:6–9 God sent John the Baptizer to spread the news about the light so people might believe. John was not the light, but he came to testify that the true light would come into the world to shine on everyone.
John 1:15 John the Baptizer pointed out Jesus, then shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming who is far greater than I am, because he existed long before I did.'”
Revelation 13:8 Earth’s inhabitants, whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain since the founding of the world, will worship the beast.
Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.
Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
John 1:6–9 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
No one has ever seen God. However, his Son, Jesus, who came from him, has revealed him to us. Although the Word made the world, people in the world did not recognize him when he came.
John 1:10 Although the Word made the world, people in the world did not recognize him when he came.
John 1:18 No one has ever seen God. However, his Son, who came from him, has revealed him to us.
John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
The Word became human and lived among his own people. Despite his unfailing love and faithfulness, most people did not accept him. But he gave those who believed and accepted him the right to become God’s children.
John 1:11–12 He lived among his own people. Despite his unfailing love and faithfulness, most people did not accept him. But he gave those who believed and accepted him the right to become God’s children.
John 1:14 The Word became human and we have seen the majestic splendor of Jesus Christ, the Word of Life, and the glory of the only son of the Father.
John 1:11–12 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Moses gave us the Law, but Jesus Christ gave us grace and truth. By being born again, not physically out of human desire but spiritually by the will of God, all believers can benefit from his rich grace by which he has blessed us repeatedly.
John 1:13 They were born again, not physically out of human desire, but spiritually by the will of God.
John 1:16–17 All believers can benefit from his rich grace by which he has blessed us repeatedly. Moses gave us the Law, but Jesus Christ gave us grace and truth.
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:16–17 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
The eyewitnesses have seen the majestic splendor of Jesus Christ, the Word of Life, with their own eyes, touched him with their own hands, and heard him with their own ears. He is the Father’s only son, who existed from the beginning.
Luke 1:1–2 Many people have written about what God has done in fulfillment of his promises. All these accounts owe their source to the early disciples and other eyewitnesses who saw him with their own eyes and touched him with their own hands.
John 1:1 He was with God, and he was God, in the beginning.
John 1:14 The Word became human and we have seen the majestic splendor of Jesus Christ, the Word of Life, and the glory of the only son of the Father.
2 Peter 1:16 We were not making up clever, fictional stories from our imagination when we showed you the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming. With our own eyes, we saw his greatness.
1 John 1:1 We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, the Word of Life. We saw him with our own eyes, touched him with our own hands, and heard him with our own ears.
Luke 1:1–2 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
2 Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life.
Many people have written about what God has done in fulfillment of his promises. These are not clever, fictional stories from our imagination. People have carefully investigated all these accounts, so you may be certain that this record is accurate.
Luke 1:1 Many people have written about what God has done in fulfillment of his promises.
Luke 1:3–4 They have been carefully investigated, so you may be certain that this record is accurate.
Luke 1:1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us.
Luke 1:3–4 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.