His greeting troubled and confused Mary. Gabriel told her‚ "Do not be afraid‚ Mary. You have found favor with God. You will conceive and bear a son‚ whom you shall call JESUS. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of King David to reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will have no end." (Luke 1:30-33)

    "How can this be"‚ Mary asked‚ "since I am a virgin?" Gabriel replied‚ "The Holy Spirit will come upon you‚ and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore‚ the holy seed formed will be called the Son of God. Also‚ your elderly cousin‚ Elisabeth‚ has conceived a son and is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.".

    Eight days later‚ a priest came to Zachariah’s house and circumcised the newborn. After the ceremonial procedure‚ gathering called him Zacharias‚ after his father. But Elisabeth quickly insisted‚ "No! He must be called John." But the people replied‚ "No one among your relatives has that name." They motioned to Zacharias to find out what he would like to name the child. Still mute‚ Zacharias beckoned for a writing tablet. He wrote‚ "His name is John." (Luke 1:63) The people marveled at the naming.

    Instantly‚ Zacharias’ tongue was loosed and he began to praise God in what would later be known as Zacharias’ prophecy. Filled with the Holy Spirit‚ he stated‚ "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel. For He has visited and redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David‚ as He said through his holy prophets of long ago. We will be saved from our enemies‚ and from the hand of all that hate us—to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy agreement‚ the oath He swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies‚ and to enable us to serve him without fear‚ in holiness and righteousness before God all the days of our life.

    "And you‚ my child‚ will be called a prophet of the Most High. You will go before the Lord to prepare the way for him‚ to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins‚ because of the tender mercy of our God‚ by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death‚ to guide our feet into the path of peace." (Luke 1:68-79)

    Fear engulfed the entire gathering after Zacharias prophesied. His words were debated throughout Judea. The gathering treasured Zacharias’ message within their hearts‚ wondering‚ "What kind of child will this be?" (Luke 1:66) The Lord’s hand was with John.

    Four days later‚ Joseph’s large family rounded the Mount of Olives and viewed a scene unlike any other in the ancient world. Across the Kidron Valley and set among the surrounding hills‚ the city of Jerusalem‚ a picture of unmatched beauty‚ lay before them.

    The gleaming‚ gold-embellished temple‚ the most sacred location in the Jewish world‚ dominated the view from the Mount of Olives. It stood high above the old City of David at the center of a gigantic white stone platform. To the south of the temple was the Lower City‚ a sea of one- and two-story limestone dwellings‚ buff-colored from years of sun and wind. Narrow‚ unpaved streets meandered among the houses and sloped downward toward the Tyropean Valley‚ which ran through the center of this sector. Herod had built a sport Hippodrome in this poor section near the Temple Mount.

    Upon entering the city‚ travelers immediately noticed the oppressive dust and heat during the warm months‚ voices raised in anger or song‚ the clatter of hooves and odors of cooking food. Journeying toward the Minor Market‚ a rectangular area about 300 by 100 yards‚ visitors passed open air shops where Jerusalem’s craftsmen — the city’s weavers‚ dyers‚ potters‚ bakers‚ tailors‚ carpenters and metalworkers — sat at work. Farther along stood a colorful bazaar where merchants sold fruits‚ vegetables‚ dried fish‚ sacrificial animals‚ clothes‚ perfume and jewelry.

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    The marketplace was always crowded and busy‚ especially on Monday and Thursday‚ the main market days when citizens and visitors came there to buy goods or momentos. Perishable goods were on sale every day. Only on Saturday‚ the Sabbath was the market empty and quiet.

    Weary travelers could always stop to rest or refresh themselves at one of Jerusalem’s many taverns or restaurants. They might select from a menu offering fresh or salted fish‚ fried locusts‚ vegetables‚ soup‚ pastry and fruit. They could drink local wine or imported beer.

    The farmers of Jerusalem‚ like their rural cousins‚ went out each morning to tend their crops. Most of them worked in the rich olive groves that covered the surrounding hillsides and provided the city’s only major export. Jerusalem’s numerous craftsmen had long been organized into guilds and most of them worked in communal shops. The members of each guild lived in a cluster of houses in a particular section of the city‚ and they usually had their own synagogue. It is estimated at this time that at least 480 such structures were located within the city.

    Most of Jerusalem’s working class‚ normally estimated at 25‚000‚ lived in the crowded‚ noisy precincts of the Lower City. During the Passover celebration‚ however‚ the city’s population swelled to about 100‚000. Their homes stood packed closely together.

    In contrast the broad‚ fashionable avenues of the Upper City were laid out in an orderly grid pattern like the stately cities of Greece and Rome. This part of the Holy City was the home of rich and powerful Jewish families‚ such as the Sadducees‚ and high-ranking Roman officials. Comfortably removed from the rest of the population‚ they lived in spacious white marble mansions and palaces built around courtyards with formal gardens and pools.

    Here the magnificent royal palace of Herod the Great was situated in the uppermost northwest corner of this sector. Directly in front stood the upper market‚ with its Roman style arcades along three sides and an open court for market booths in the center. There were shops for the dealers in luxury goods: the distillers of expensive oils and perfumes‚ the master tailors and silk merchants‚ the goldsmiths and silversmiths‚ the dealer in ivory‚ incense and precious stones. Household slaves bought expensive imported foods for their master’s banquet tables. Not far away was the palace of the high priest.

    Herod also built a theater in this section. It was a large‚ open-air auditorium with semicircular rows of stone seats ascending from a central stage. Wealthy Jews came there to watch the best of Greek and Roman drama. Most traditional Jews scorned this and other outgrowths of Greco-Roman culture as immoral‚ however.

    Near the northeastern corner of the Upper City stood the old palace of the Maccabean kings‚ and not far away the Gazzith‚ the meeting building of the 70-man Sanhedrin Council‚ the ruling Jewish body. This spacious structure had a seating arrangement in the shape of a horseshoe‚ whose honored upper middle seat was reserved for the high priest.

    Jerusalem had no natural water supply. In order to compensate for this‚ private citizens collected water. Stored in big‚ round pit-like receptacles that drained the run-off from the rooftops during the five-month rainy fall and winter seasons. These structures were known as "cisterns." The city eventually had a public water supply that was designed by using three subterranean aqueducts‚ pools and fountains. The largest of these pools was the Serpent’s Pool‚ a defensive moat outside the Western Wall of the Upper City near the Hinnom Valley. A great reservoir network under the Temple Mount had a total capacity of 10‚000‚000 gallons. These reservoirs and the pools were supplied with water by rainfall and by the aqueducts.

    As Joseph’ party arrived‚ they entered Jerusalem through the Lower City and made their way through the crowded streets assembled at an appointed house. On the eve of the Passover‚ the males of each household purchased a young healthy lamb from the marketplace. At home‚ the women roasted the lamb and prepared the necessary items for the joyous feast. With nightfall‚ the entire household gathered to eat the Passover.

    The lad Jesus and his parents sat on pillows around a low Greco-Roman style table‚ and everyone leaned on their left elbow. As was customary‚ the head of the household lifted his wine goblet and gave the traditional Passover blessing: "Blessed be to God‚ king of the Universe‚ who brings forth fruit from the vine." When each person had drunk‚ the host also lifted a loaf of unleavened bread and blessed it by stating‚ "Blessed be to you‚ O God‚ king of the Universe‚ who brings forth grain from the earth."

    They ate the entire lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs such as chicory‚ bitter crest‚ hawkweed‚ sow thistle and wild lettuce. A rice and lamb stew-like broth called "sop" accompanied the meal. The unleavened bread was dipped into a large‚ common bowl of the sop. Then a second‚ third and fourth goblet of wine was consumed. The joyous festivities lasted into the night. To close out the feasting‚ the household sang a hymn from one of the Psalms.

    At the close of the Passover and the seven days of unleavened bread‚ Jesus’ family and relatives prepared to return home to Galilee. In the morning Joseph’s party left the Lower City through the eastern gate. Jesus secretly remained at Jerusalem‚ as he tried to prematurely begin his ministry. Crossing the Cedron brook the caravan passed the orchard grove of Gethsemane. The two-mile road rounding the Mount of Olives was blooming with olive trees. The group came upon the crossroad to Jericho. Twenty-two miles later after descending 2‚300 feet into the wilderness of Judea‚ they reached the outskirts of Jericho‚ the city of palm trees. Exhausted‚ Joseph and Mary rested as the large group lodged for the night beneath the many palm trees.

    In the morning‚ Mary and Joseph supposed that Jesus was within their Galilean caravan‚ but the lad Jesus could not be found! Soon‚ their worst fears had been realized. Jesus was not within their walking caravan. The couple frantically sought Jesus among their relatives and friends and ascended back through the wilderness of Judea then returned to Jerusalem by the afternoon. The guardians then relentlessly sought throughout the various sectors of the city for several hours but found no sign of the young Christ. Hundreds of synagogues would have to be visited. Disappointed‚ the couple returned to their dwelling place terrified that something had happen to Jesus.

    Meanwhile‚ the young Jesus probably spent his nights upon the Mount of Olives‚ which overlooked Jerusalem and the Temple. Alone‚ he could pray in total solitude to his Heavenly Father‚ the Almighty God. Afterwards‚ the trunk of an olive tree would have been used as a pillow and Jesus wrapped his cloak about his as a bedroll. No doubt‚ angels safeguarded the young Christ as he slept. (This very sleeping habit‚ Jesus would adapt later during his ministry while staying at Jerusalem.) In the morning‚ Jesus returned to the huge Court of the Gentiles‚ where he sat in on various Rabbis’ lessons.

    After three days‚ to their amazement and joy‚ they finally located Jesus within the temple grounds. They found him sitting in the middle of the doctors‚ master scribes were the interpreters of the sacred scrolls. Jesus both listened and asked them questions. Jesus was listening to them and asking them questions.

    Mary and Joseph were astonished. Mary scolded him‚ "Son‚ why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." (Luke 2:48) "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn’t you know I had to be about My Father’s business?" (Luke 2:49) Neither Mary nor Joseph understood this statement. Jesus had spoken of his Heavenly Father.

    The family then left Jerusalem journeyed back to Galilee arriving several days later at the village of Nazareth. Mary remembered everything that was said at the temple and treasured them within her heart. At Nazareth‚ Jesus was once more subjected to his guardians until the beginning of his ministry‚ still some 18 years away.

    Jesus began his famous ministry. His first recorded message announced‚ "The time is fulfilled‚ and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the Gospel!" (Mark 1:15)

    Despite its sickness and disease‚ Galilee was a beautiful and prosperous region. Its provinces boasted much agriculture because of the fertile soil and perfect weather conditions. The grassy plains were prime for growing grain and quite suitable for grazing sheep. Grapes‚ figs‚ olives‚ pomegranates and many other fruit grew abundantly there.

    Galilee also contained the clear blue water of the Sea of Galilee‚ an oval inland lake about 13 miles long and six to eight miles at its widest point and about 150 feet in depth. Within this body of water 42 species of fish flourished and supplied a thriving fishing industry. No less than nine very populated cities such as Bethsaida’ Capernaum’ Gennesaret’ Magdela’ and Tiberias stood on or near its shore.

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    The next morning as he walked along the Sea of Galilee toward Bethsaida‚ the home of Philip‚ Jesus encountered this disciple again. "Follow me‚" he commanded‚ and he did. It was also the city of Andrew and Simon. Jesus saw these brothers in their docked 26-foot long boat mending and cleaning their net after a night of fishing. He commanded them‚ "Follow me‚ and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19) The brothers immediately followed. Jesus had reclaimed his original three disciples.

    As Jesus walked farther along the coastline‚ he also saw another pair of brothers. James and John‚ the sons of Zebedee‚ were also mending their nets. Jesus called‚ and they immediately left their father Zebedee with his hired servants. The five men followed Jesus along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. One hour later‚ they arrived at Capernaum‚ which would be his key city. As Jesus arrived back at Capernaum‚ Jesus would use Simon’s modest yet spacious home as his headquarters. Simon was married and a well-established fisherman with a couple of boats. This indicated that Simon lived a very comfortable life.

    Afterward‚ Philip journeyed to the village of Cana about 22 miles west of Capernaum through hilly country. Arriving‚ he found his best friend Nathanael resting beneath a fig tree. With great excitement‚ Philip told Nathanael‚ "We have found the Christ‚ about whom Moses in the Law and the other prophets had written. It’s Jesus of Nazareth‚ the son of Joseph." Nathanael asked‚ "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (John 1:45-46) A devout student of the Law‚ Nathanael realized‚ as prophesied by the prophet Micah that the Christ must come from Bethlehem.

    Philip had almost traveled a day’s journey and probably rested the night at Cana as he continued his oration on Jesus of Nazareth. At dawn‚ Nathanael was compelled to come and see. So they journeyed back to Capernaum. Within earshot‚ Jesus stated‚ "Here is a true Israelite‚ in whom there is nothing false." (John 1:47) "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus replied‚ "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." Nathanael proclaimed‚ "Rabbi‚ you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" (John 1:49)

    Jesus said‚ "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that. You shall see heaven open‚ and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." (John 1:50‚51)

    Meanwhile‚ when a sinful woman of the city named Mary Magdalene learn what had happened‚ she purchased a stone alabaster box of ointment. Possessed with seven demons‚ Mary entered Simon’s house and stood behind at Jesus’ feet. (It is also believed that Mary was a very successful prostitute who had saved a large sum of money.) The Pharisees were stunned and greatly insulted at this harlot’s presence. Weeping‚ Mary used her tears to wash the dust from the Lord’s feet‚ and she dried them with her thick hair. After kissing his feet‚ she broke open the alabaster box and anointed them.

    When Simon the Pharisee saw this‚ he said to himself‚ "If this man were indeed a prophet‚ he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."

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    Jesus answered him‚ "Simon‚ I have something to tell you." "Tell me‚ teacher‚" Simon replied. Jesus told this parable: "A moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii‚ and the other fifty. Neither had the money to pay him back‚ so the moneylender canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" (Luke 7:41‚42) "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled‚" Simon guessed. "You have judged correctly‚" Jesus said.

    Then‚ Jesus turned towards a sobbing Mary and said to Simon‚ "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You didn’t give me any water for my feet‚ but she washed my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss‚ but this woman‚ from the time I entered‚ has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head‚ but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore‚ I tell you‚ her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." (Luke 7:44-46)

    Then Jesus told Mary Magdalene‚ "Your sins are forgiven." But the other guests at the dinner table began to say among themselves‚ "Who is this who even forgives sins?" To avoid further conflict with the Pharisees‚ Jesus told Mary‚ "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." (Luke 7:50) Forgiven by God‚ a jubilant and repentant Mary confidently left Simeon’s house as a new disciple of Jesus.

    Afterward‚ Jesus began his second major tour and went to every city and village in Galilee preaching the gospel and showing the good news of the kingdom of God. This time‚ only the twelve apostles accompanied Jesus. Mary Magdalene also followed the great prophet in a tour of some 20 locations‚ along with Joanna the wife of Chuza‚ Herod’s steward‚ Susanna and many other women who provided Jesus and the apostles’ food nourishment. With the admittance of women into his ministry, Jesus of Nazareth would be the only teacher of ancient biblical times that allowed females into the fold.

    As evening approached‚ the apostles said to Jesus‚ "This is a remote place and it’s already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and buy themselves something to eat." "You give them something to eat‚" he told the apostles‚ who were shocked at his request. As Jesus viewed the great crowd coming towards him‚ he asked Philip where they could buy bread to feed the multitude. Jesus was testing Philip for he knew what he was about to do. Philip answered that 200 pennies worth of bread‚ or Roman denarius‚ which was equivalent to 15 cents or a day’s wage. This amount he insisted would not be sufficient enough to feed such a gathering if everyone had just a little taste. Then Andrew reported that there was a lad with five barley loaves and two small fishes‚ but comment‚ "What are they among so many?" Bring them here Jesus commanded!

    Then‚ Jesus directed the apostles to have the multitude sit down in-groups of either 100 or 50 among the plentiful green grass. He took the food from the lad and looked toward heaven and blessed them. When he had finished‚ Jesus divided the loaves and fish and gave it to the apostles. The twelve then served the food among the vast multitude and everyone ate until they were satisfied. When the multitude was full‚ Jesus told the disciples‚ "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." (John 6:12) The apostles filled 12 baskets with pieces of barley bread and fish‚ symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel.

    When the 5‚000 men of the multitude witnessed this mighty miracle‚ they began saying‚ "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." (John 6:14) They referred to Jesus as being the Christ (‚ or Messiah in Hebrew). When Jesus perceived their plans to come and make him king by force‚ he withdrew. He instructed the apostles to sail to the opposite shoreline. As they sailed away‚ Jesus sent the people away‚ which halted any attempts to crown him King. With darkness‚ Jesus departed into a mountain to pray.

    Jesus began the Parable of the Good Shepherd. He said‚ "I tell you the truth‚ the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate‚ but climbs in by some other way‚ is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him‚ and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own‚ he goes on ahead of them‚ and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger. In fact‚ they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice." (John 10:1-5)

    Upon hearing the parable‚ the multitude and the Pharisees did not understand Jesus’ words. He said‚ "I tell you the truth‚ I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me [false Christ’s] were thieves and robbers‚ but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life‚ and have it more abundantly." (John 10:7-10)

    Jesus continued‚ "I am the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming‚ he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheepfold [various Gentiles group]. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice‚ and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father love me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me‚ but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." (John 10:11-18)

    These words again divided the Jewish people. Many said‚ "He is demon possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?" Others insisted‚ "These are not the words of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?" (John 10:19-21) This ended Jesus’ lecture of the Good Shepherd.

    It is believed that Jesus and the disciples returned to Galilee as the rainy season begun for their fourth and shortest unrecorded retirement period at the city of Capernaum. With the ending of the feast of the Tabernacle season‚ the harvest feast‚ the plowing and sowing of the soil was completed‚ as was the gathering of the later grapes. The end of October began the rainy season with thunderstorms. The climate of the Promised Land of Canaan suddenly changed rapidly. Temperatures became very cold. November’s rains would now intensify through February‚ ending in March. Frequently‚ snow fell during the months of December and January.

    Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees‚ "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" (Luke 14:3) But they remained silent. Jesus took the man‚ healed him and let him go.

    As the healed man left the house‚ Jesus questioned the Pharisees and scribes about their humanity. He asked‚ "If one of you has a donkey or an ox that falls into a pit on the Sabbath‚ will you not immediately pull him out?" (Luke 14:5) Again they had nothing to say.

    When Jesus noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table‚ he told this parable of Invitation: "When someone invites you to a wedding feast‚ do not take the place of honor‚ for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so‚ the host who invited both of you will come and say to you‚ ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then‚ humiliated‚ you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited‚ take the lowest place‚ so that when your host comes‚ he will say to you‚ ‘Friend‚ move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled‚ and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:8-11)

    Jesus also urged them to practice charity by saying to his host‚ "When you give a luncheon or dinner‚ do not invite your friends‚ your brothers or relatives‚ or your rich neighbors. If you do‚ they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet invite the poor‚ the crippled‚ the lame‚ the blind‚ and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you‚ you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Luke 14:12-14)

    When one of those at the table with him heard this‚ he said to Jesus‚ "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God." Jesus responded by telling the Parable of the Great Supper‚ which illustrates how the Jews rejected the Christ’s invitation of inheriting the Promised Land. Jesus said‚ "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited‚ ‘Come‚ for everything is now ready.’

    "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said‚ ‘I have just bought a field‚ and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ Another said‚ ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen‚ and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Still another said‚ ‘I just got married‚ so I can’t come.’

    "The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant‚ ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor‚ the crippled‚ the blind and the lame.’

    "‘Sir‚’ the servant said‚ ‘what you ordered has been done‚ but there is still room.’ Then the master told his servant‚ ‘Go out to the highways and country lanes and make them come in‚ so that my house will be full. I tell you‚ not one of those men who were first invited will get a taste of my banquet.’" (Luke 14:16-24)