Chapter 1

Jesus was born in Bethlehem. When King Herod the Great heard that Jesus was the Messiah and would be King of the Jews, he ordered the slaughter of male children. God sent an angel and instructed Joseph to take Jesus and Mary and seek refuge in Egypt.

“Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.” Matthew 2:16.

Upon their return from Egypt to Israel, the Holy Family did not return to Bethlehem, but settled in Nazareth.

“And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2:21-23.

Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea.  He did not find Jesus guilty of any of the false charges that were brought against him. He called the chief priests, the rulers and the people to announce his verdict.

“A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.” Luke 23:22-25.

The Mount of Temptation is located in Jericho. Following His baptism and prior to the commencement of His official ministry, Jesus embarked on a period of prayer and fasting lasting forty days and forty nights on this mountain. Throughout this time, the devil presented temptations to Jesus, offering Him authority over the world if He would worship him. However, Jesus remained unwavering in His loyalty and devotion to God, rejecting the devil’s enticements.

“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness ² for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. ³ The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”” Luke 4:1-3

“And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.” John 20:12-14.