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IV.
Life, Parables, and Miracles of Christ
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Chapter 32
:
Birth, Childhood, and Early Life of Christ
1. IN what promise was a
Saviour from sin first revealed?
"And the Lord said unto the
serpent, . . . I will put
enmity
between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and
her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt
bruise His heel." Gen. 3:14,15.
2. Through whom was a
restoration of the lost dominion promised to Abraham?
"To thee will I give it, and to thy seed
forever." Gen.13:15.
3. Who was this promised seed?
"He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one,
And to thy seed, which is Christ." Gal. 3:16.
4. Where was Christ to be born?
"And. . . he [Herod] demanded of them where Christ
should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem
of Judea." Matt. 2:4-6. See Micah 5: 2.
5. Of whom was Christ to be born?
"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall call His name Immanuel." Isa. 7:14.
NOTE.-Immanuel means " God with us." See Matt. 1:23.
6. Before His birth, what did the angel say to Joseph
concerning the naming of the child?
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call
His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from
their sins." Matt. 1:21.
7. At His birth, what message did the angel bring to
the shepherds abiding in the field?
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall
be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the
city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke
2:10,11.
8. In what song of praise did a
host of angels join?
"And suddenly there was with the angel a
multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good
will toward men." Verses 13,14.
9. What prophecy of Isaiah was
fulfilled at Christ's birth?
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a
son is given: and the government shall be upon His
shoulder." Isa. 9:6.
10. What did the prophet say His name should be
called?
"And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The
mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace there shall
be no end." Verses 6,7.
11. What did the devout Simeon say when he saw the
child Jesus?
"And when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do
for Him after the custom of the law, then took he Him up
in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now
lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to
Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which
Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a
light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy
people Israel." Luke 2:27-32.
12. How did the aged prophetess Anna express herself
at the sight of Jesus?
"And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise
unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that
looked for redemption in Jerusalem." Verse 38.
13. What did the wise men of the East do when they
had found Jesus?
"When they were come into the house, they saw the young
child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and
worshiped Him: and when they had opened their
treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and
frankincense, and myrrh." Matt. 2:11.
14. How came Jesus to live for a time in Egypt?
"And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the
Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and
take the young child, and His mother, and flee into
Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for
Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him." Verse
13.
15. How does the revelator describe this satanic
desire to destroy Christ?
"And the dragon stood before the woman which was ready
to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it
was born." Rev. 12:4.
16. By what means did Herod seek to destroy Christ?
"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise
men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew
all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all
the coasts thereof, from two years old and under." Matt.
2:16.
17. After Herod's death, where did Joseph and his
family live?
"And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth:
that it
might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He
shall be called a Nazarene." Verse 23.
18. What is said of Christ's
childhood and early life?
"And the child grew, and waxed
strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the
grace of God was upon Him. . . . And He went down
with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject,
unto them." Luke 2:40-51.
19. Upon returning from a feast at
Jerusalem, how came Joseph and Mary to lose Jesus when
He was twelve years old?
"But they, supposing Him to have been in
the company, went a day's journey; and they sought
Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they
found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem,
seeking Him." Verses 44,45.
NOTE.-This is how many lose Jesus today. They
suppose He is in their company, but do not
see to it that He is with them personally.
Through carelessness it takes but a day to lose Him;
but, when once lost, it sometimes takes days of
sorrowful searching, as it did Joseph and Mary, to
find Him again.
20. What was Jesus doing when they found Him?
"And it came to pass, that after three days they found
Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the
doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions."
Verse 46.
21. How did His questions and answers impress those
who heard Him?
"And all that heard Him were astonished at His
understanding and answers." Verse 47.
22. With what words do the Scriptures conclude the
record of Christ's early life?
"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor
with God and man." Verse 52.
NOTE.-Christ's early life is a pattern for all
children and youth. It was marked by respect and
love for His mother. He was obedient to His parents,
and kind to all. He hated sin, and to every
temptation turned a deaf ear. He sought to
understand the reason of things, and so increased in
knowledge and wisdom. He was sympathetic and
tender-hearted, and ever ready to relieve the
oppressed, the sorrowing, and the suffering. If we
love Christ, we shall love to talk of Him; our
sweetest thoughts will be of Him; and by beholding
Him we shall be changed into the same image. See
note on question 17. of Chapter 20. of this book.
All praise
to Thee, eternal Lord,
Clothed in a garb of flesh and blood;
Choosing a manger for Thy throne,
While worlds on worlds are Thine alone!
Once did
the skies before Thee bow;
A Virgin's arms contain Thee now:
Angels, who did in Thee rejoice,
Now listen to Thine infant voice..
A little
child, Thou art our guest,
That weary ones in Thee may rest;
Forlorn and lowly is Thy birth,
That we may rise to heaven from earth.
Thou comest
in the darksome night
To make us children of the light;
To make us, in the realms divine,
Like Thine own angels round Thee shine.
All this
for us Thy love hath done;
By this to Thee our life is won;
For this we tune our cheerful lays,
And tell our thanks in songs of praise.
MARTIN LUTHER. |
