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The ABCs

of the Life of Jesus

ARTICLE: 17 MINUTES

Here’s the ABCs of the Life of Jesus—a term for every letter of the alphabet to help you remember some of the key events in Jesus’ life. Each “ABC” is paired with a question, to help you reflect on Jesus’ life.

We draw these terms from the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—the four books in the New Testament that document the early life and three-year ministry of Jesus.

How might you use this list? Here are five quick ideas:

  • Read through this list in preparation to read one of the four Gospels (or all four!), so that you have some sense of the events of Jesus’ life before reading.
  • Read through this list after reading one of the four Gospels to review the major events of Jesus’ life.
  • Share this list with a friend. Invite them to read one of the four Gospels with you. Use the list like you might use a list for a scavenger hunt. When you come to an event in the Gospels listed here, ask one another the question related to that event. Use it to help you journey through the Bible.
  • If you’re a Bible teacher, a Sunday School teacher, a youth leader, or a professor, feel free to use the list to review Jesus’ life with your students. 
  • Use the list as a family. Take one “ABC” each day to read together and discuss the question.


However you choose to use the following list, we hope it’s not just information but rather a resource to deepen a relationship, some content to bolster your ministry, or an incentive to think more deeply about the hero of the Bible, Jesus.

Jump to a Certain Letter:

Ascension

After Jesus rose from the dead, he spent 40 more days on earth. After those 40 days, Jesus physically ascended into heaven in the sight of his disciples (Acts 1:9-11). The ascension of Jesus is often forgotten but super important! Jesus is alive and seated at God’s right hand right now. Jesus’ ascension prepared the way for God to send us the Holy Spirit to be Jesus’ presence among his people.

Question: Can you think of more reasons why it matters that Jesus bodily ascended into heaven?

B

Baptism

To initiate his earthly ministry, Jesus asked John the Baptist to baptize him in the Jordan River, setting an example for believers of this first step of obedience to God (e.g., getting baptized, Matthew 3:13-17). Later, Jesus would commission his disciples to go into all the world and make more disciples of Jesus, and to baptize them (Matthew 28:16-20). Baptism is a sign that we see throughout the New Testament and that Jesus desires for us to participate in today that communicates our commitment to Jesus. It’s an outward sign and identification with an inward reality—that we have trusted in Jesus and our sins have been washed clean.

Question: Have you believed in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins, and if so, have you publicly declared that through baptism?

Crucifixion/Cross

The Roman Empire devised an execution procedure known as a crucifixion, one where a criminal was tied or nailed to a cross of wood and slowly killed. Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples (Judas Iscariot), arrested, flogged, and tried in front of six different people before being crucified (e.g., Mark 14:43-15:41). Jesus was crucified unjustly—for crimes he did not commit. But the rest of the Bible clarifies that Jesus’ innocent suffering and death were his willing sacrifice to pay the penalty our sins deserve, so that we might be forgiven by God and brought into a loving relationship with him (1 Peter 3:18; Isaiah 53:4-6).

Question: Read Colossians 2:13-15, 1 Corinthians 1:13-31, and Philippians 2:1-18. Although we briefly answered this question, answer it for yourself from these passages: What happened when Jesus died on the cross?

Disciples

Jesus chose twelve disciples when he inaugurated his earthly ministry (Matthew 10:1-4). Twelve was a significant number, as it was also the number of tribes in Israel. These guys were Jesus’ closest friends. Among these twelve disciples, three of them—Peter, James, and John—shared more time and were closest with Jesus. Jesus had many more disciples than The Twelve. “Disciple” is a word people often use to refer to Jesus’ followers. (What Is Discipleship?) Jesus gives all his disciples a mission in Matthew 28:16-20 (What Is the Great Commission?).

Question: Can you name the twelve disciples of Jesus?

Eternal Life

Eternal life is what Jesus promises to all who trust in him (John 3:16). This includes life in his presence forever (John 14:3) after death, but it also means something for us now. The Gospel of John defines eternal life this way: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

Question: Think about what Jesus offers you. Is this what you expect for God to offer you through his Son? How is it different than what you expect? How is it better than what you expect?

Father

“Father” is Jesus’ special title for God, signifying his intimate relationship as God’s only Son. And this intimate relationship is one that Jesus invites us into! Jesus reveals to us the one way that we can come to the Father: through Jesus himself, for we can only approach God the Father on the basis of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. Jesus reveals to us how we can know the Father: through Jesus himself, for he’s the clearest manifestation of the Father that we have (John 14:8-11). Finally, Jesus reveals to us the love of the Father, a love that we are welcomed into by faith in Jesus. For, all who believe in Jesus become children of God, loved by God the Father (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1).

Question: What comes to your mind when you think of God? Consider taking note of every time Jesus mentions “the Father” in the Gospels and jotting down notes of what Jesus reveals to you about God the Father.

Gethsemane

Gethsemane is the place where Jesus famously prayed the night before he was crucified (Matthew 26:36-46). Gethsemane is a garden, and Jesus took his disciples there to pray. Sadly, they all fell asleep as he poured out his heart to God. Jesus prayed in agony to the Father, sweating blood on account of what he was about to experience—the wrath of God poured out on him, as he willingly laid down his life as a sacrifice for sin, for all who put their trust in him.

Question: What does Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane teach us about prayer and how we are invited to relate to God?

Helper/Holy Spirit

Jesus promised his disciples that after he left them, he would send them a “Helper” (John 14:16 ESV, NKJV) during his absence. This is the Holy Spirit who lives in all of Jesus’ followers (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit is God himself, the third person of the Trinity. He isn’t a force or a power, but a Person. The Gospel of Luke mentions the Holy Spirit often. Perhaps the most memorable appearance of the Holy Spirit in the Gospels is when the Holy Spirit descended like a dove upon Jesus at his baptism (Luke 3:21-22).

Question: Have you thought about the person of the Holy Spirit? How do these Scriptures help you to better understand him?

Immanuel

The Old Testament prophesies that an “anointed one” (Messiah) would restore the relationship between God and sinners through his sacrificial death. This person is called “Immanuel,” which literally means “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14 ESV). The Bible explicitly says that Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy (Matthew 1:23).

Question: What does the name Immanuel (“God with us”) tell us about Jesus’ identity?

Jerusalem

In the first century, Jerusalem was the capital of Israel, as it is now. Jesus spent a considerable amount of time during his ministry years in Jerusalem, faithfully traveling to the three Jewish festivals annually celebrated there. On the day of what we now call “the triumphal entry” Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and was welcomed with honor and celebration (Mark 11:1-11). Yet, Jesus was eventually arrested, tried, and crucified in Jerusalem also.

Question: What do you know about Jerusalem, either from the Bible or from other modern sources?

Kingdom of God

The “kingdom of God” is central to Jesus’ teaching, and he often tells his audience that the kingdom of God has come. Jesus is the long-awaited king from David’s line who reigns forever (Luke 1:31-33). With the coming of the King came the kingdom of God. It is not an earthly kingdom, but God’s kingdom can have great impact on our own communities as Jesus transforms us from the inside out and teaches us to seek his kingdom above the kingdoms of this world (Matthew 6:33)! The kingdom of heaven will be fully realized at Jesus’ second coming.

Question: How does the kingdom of God differ from the kingdoms of this world? If you want to know what it means to “seek first the kingdom of God,” then consider reading this article: How Do I Seek First the Kingdom of God?

Last Supper

The last meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion came to be known as the Last Supper. It was at this meal with his friends on the eve of his death that Jesus broke bread and poured wine for his disciples and spoke about the new covenant to come through his death. On that evening, as he broke bread and poured wine, he told his disciples to “do this in remembrance of me” (Matthew 26:26-29), and so, many gathered groups of followers of Jesus celebrate “communion.” They eat bread and drink wine (or grape juice) to commemorate what Jesus has done for them on the cross.

Question: Have you ever experienced “communion” or “The Lord’s Supper” at a church? Consider reading 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 and answering the question, “What are the parameters given in the New Testament for communion should be practiced today?

Miracles

Jesus performed hundreds of miracles during his three years of ministry. These miracles proved his divine nature and power, demonstrating his authority over the spiritual realm (e.g., casting out demons), the physical realm (e.g., healing the blind, raising the dead), and the natural realm (e.g., turning water into wine).

Question: What miracle do you need in your life? Would you consider bringing that need to Jesus? (Consider reading our devotional, Do You Believe in Miracles?)

New Covenant

By laying down his life for our sins and rising from the dead, Jesus inaugurated a new covenant between God and his people (Luke 22:20), replacing the old covenant God made with the Israelites under Moses. This was a covenant based on promise rather than on law. The new covenant is God’s promise that all who trust in Jesus will be saved from their sin and receive eternal life based on Jesus’ merit and sacrifice alone.

Question: What do you think is the difference between a covenant founded on law versus a covenant founded on promise?

Opposition

Jesus experienced much opposition to his ministry and teaching, mainly from Jewish religious and political leaders, like the Pharisees (who called for a rigid return to the legalism of the Mosaic law) and Sadducees (Jewish leaders who looked for ways to compromise with the Roman Empire). This Jewish opposition culminated in Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion by the Roman authorities.

Question: Have you experienced any opposition to Jesus, whether in relationships, acquaintances, media, other religions, or in your own heart?

Parable

Parables were Jesus’ favorite form of teaching (Mark 4:34). They’re stories that convey spiritual truth. The Gospels record at least forty of them, including well-known ones like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).

Question: Can you think of any modern-day parables? Have you encountered any parables told in children’s book or depicted in a movie?

Questions

A recurring theme throughout the Gospels involves people asking Jesus questions to test him, to see if he truly was a trustworthy teacher (e.g., Matthew 22:35). In other instances, skeptics questioned Jesus hoping to embarrass him (e.g., Matthew 21:23). In response, Jesus often turned these questions around on his opponents (e.g., Mark 11:29). Jesus often initiated conversation and responded to conversation with questions.

Question: Though the examples of questions provided above are negative, questions are not always a negative thing. God delights for us to bring to him all of our questions—even, and perhaps especially, the hard questions. Do you ever ask Jesus questions in prayer? How would believing that God delights to answer your questions change the way that you relate to God?

Resurrection

Three days after Jesus was crucified, some of his disciples went to his tomb to mourn. But they found an empty tomb! Jesus had risen from the dead, just as he said. The empty tomb is foundational to our faith in Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:16-18). If Jesus has not been raised, then we have no forgiveness of our sins, no hope of eternal life, and no Savior to walk with us in our trials. But Jesus has been raised! While Jesus’ death on the cross was an atoning sacrifice for the sins of those who trust in him, his resurrection from the dead was proof that he can actually save people from the penalty of sin, which is death. As such, three days after he was crucified, Jesus rose from the dead, proving that he has authority even over death (John 21:1-29). Jesus promises his followers that he will also conquer death for them (John 11:25-26).

Question: Why do you think Jesus’ resurrection from the dead matters in your life?

Sermon on the Mount

Perhaps the most famous sermon Jesus ever preached is the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), a message about the kingdom of God. In the Sermon on the Mount, you’ll find the “Beatitudes” or the few verses that start with “Blessed are the….” You’ll also find The Lord’s Prayer and one of the most famous passages in the Bible about anxiety (Matthew 6:25-34).

Question: Read Matthew 5-7. Which part of the Sermon on the Mount spoke to you most?

Temptation

After Jesus was baptized, he was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil. Satan tempted Jesus in three specific ways, but Jesus resisted this temptation, rebuffing the devil’s arguments by quoting God’s Word (Matthew 4:1-11). This temptation reminds us of the temptation of Adam in the garden of Eden at the very beginning of the Bible. Adam failed to resist temptation, plunging humanity into sin and death. But Jesus, the “second Adam,” succeeded in resisting temptation and now brings life to all who trust in him (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Question: What does Jesus’ resistance to the Devil’s temptation tell us about him?

Unbelief

While the emphasis in the New Testament is on believing in Jesus, there is also a recurring theme in the Gospels of unbelief—people turning away from Jesus in disbelief. For example, people from Jesus’ hometown refused to believe that he was the Messiah, to the point that Jesus performed few miracles there (Matthew 13:53-58). The Jewish religious leaders also refused to believe (John 12:36-43), and Jesus even had to rebuke his own disciples at times for not believing in him (e.g., Mark 16:14).

Question: What do you find hard to believe about Jesus? Have you harbored that unbelief, or have you ever taken it directly to Jesus in prayer?

Virgin Birth

Jesus’ earthly life was miraculous from start to finish. His life began with a miracle when the Holy Spirit conceived a child in his mother Mary’s womb without the physical act of procreation with her husband (Luke 1:26-35). This “virgin birth” of Jesus was prophesied in the Old Testament (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23) and fulfilled in the life of Mary.

Question: The miracle of the virgin birth might seem odd, but let’s think about it—why is it significant that Jesus was born in this way?

Women

While Jesus chose twelve men to be his original disciples, female followers played an instrumental role during his ministry, despite the low value often placed upon women in first-century culture. Women, like Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42) and Joanna and Suzanna (Luke 8:1-3), often provided for Jesus and his disciples. Women are also central characters to many of the stories we find in the Gospels. We read about the woman at the well in John 4, the woman healed of a 12-year bleeding disease in Mark 5, the woman who anoints Jesus in Mark 14, the women who were the first to arrive at Jesus’ empty tomb in Luke 23-24, and many others. Jesus’ life was counter-cultural because he honored, welcomed, and served women.

Question: Is there any way that this fact of Jesus’ life challenges or encourages you?

eXorcism

Jesus frequently encountered demons, also called “unclean spirits” (e.g., Mark 1:23 ESV), throughout his ministry. These demons caused physical ailments like blindness (e.g., Matthew 12:22-28) and epilepsy (e.g., Luke 9:37-43), as well as severe mental illness (Mark 5:1-15). By casting demons out of people, Jesus proved his compassion for the oppressed and his authority over heaven and earth—both the seen and the unseen realms.

Question: How have you viewed angels and demons? Do these events you read about in Jesus’ life alter your perspective in any way?

Yoke

In agrarian cultures, animals are often coupled, or yoked, together to perform manual labor or to train a weaker animal by yoking it with a stronger, more experienced beast. This image is metaphorically used in the New Testament to describe the relationship between Jesus and his disciples. Jesus implores us to be yoked to him, so that he might take upon himself the burden of our sin and ease us of the burden of our troubles (Matthew 11:29-30).

Question: Have you ever heard Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28-30? “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Have you come to Jesus?

Zeal

One of Jesus’ famous moments may surprise you! On one occasion, when Jesus went to the temple, he was distressed at what he saw: Businessmen and entrepreneurs had overrun the place where people went to worship God. So, Jesus flips over the tables of the moneychangers and drives them out (Mark 11:15-19)! By his actions, Jesus reveals that he is zealous that God be honored (John 2:13-17).

Question: What does this episode from Jesus’ life teach us about him?

Do You Know Jesus?

Did you learn something about Jesus’ life or ministry? What event from Jesus’ life interested you most?

Jesus is not only the most important person in all of human history, but he’s the most important person for you to know. Do you know Jesus? We’re not asking if you know about him—you just learned a bunch about him! Do you know him personally? Is he your Savior, your God, your friend? Is he the one you run to in prayer and worship, with your life?

Here are several places on our website where you can continue to discover Jesus, that you might know him as your hero, and not just the hero of the Bible.

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Bibles.net Editor

This article was written by our editorial team here at Bibles.net. We like to write articles as a team—one person writing, another editing, another proofreading, and all of us making sure we stick to the truth and say it well. If you see a contribution line at the end of the article, that means we didn't write the article, but we selected it from an excellent book to share with you. If you'd like to find out a little more about all of us, check out our "About Us" page.
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What Is a Disciple?
The word disciple means student or apprentice. The Bible describes followers of Jesus as disciples—people who have committed their entire lives to him. Once we believe in Jesus as our Savior, then we follow him as our Lord. We enjoy getting to know him for the rest of our lives and helping others do the same.
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