Bible Stories

Jesus Begins God’s Work | Bible Story

Jesus Begins God’s Work | Bible Story Jesus returned to Nazareth to begin the task God had sent him for. He went to the synagogue and read the passage that narrated the coming of the Messiah, prophesied by Isaiah. And he claimed to be the one God had sent to fulfill that prophecy. The priests and elders were shocked. They whispered, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph, the carpenter?” “How can he dare to claim that he is the Messiah!” And they thrust him out of the city, intending to kill him, but Jesus left them, saying that a prophet is never believed in his own country! He was waiting beside the Sea of Galilee; he saw two fishing boats, one of which he saw Andrew and Simon setting off. He called to them and, boarding the ship, asked them to take it further into the sea. That day, they

Jesus Defeats Satan | Bible Story

Jesus Defeats Satan | Bible Story Soon after this, John was arrested by the soldiers of the King, Herod’s son, and was thrown into prison. He knew his work was done as the Son of God had arrived to carry out God’s work. Jesus left John after he was baptized and went into the wilderness to pray to God and learn about his mission. He fasted for forty days without eating or drinking. He was exhausted and weak by the end of the period. That was the best time for Satan, the enemy of God, to tempt Jesus and draw him away from God. He went up and taunted him, saying, “If your God is so powerful, why doesn’t he turn the stones into loaves of bread?” “God has told us in the scriptures that man doesn’t live by bread alone!” replied Jesus. “Man needs the words of God to

John The Baptist, And Jesus | Bible Story

John The Baptist, And Jesus | Bible Story The people of Israel said that a strange wild man lived on the banks of the river Jordan. He wore a dress made of camel hair and tied it with a leather belt. He ate wild honey and locusts to live. They went to the river and found John, the son of Elizabeth. He was a cousin of Jesus. He called out to the people to repent for all their evil ways and wrong-doing. He asked them to confess their sins, and he baptized them with a dip in the Jordan as a token of washing away their sins. He said he would baptize them to prepare the path to salvation. That was possible only after their sins were washed away. I have come to tell you that someone who is mightier than I will come. “I am not fit to unlace

Jesus in Jerusalem | Bible Story

Jesus in Jerusalem | Bible Story It was the custom among the Israelites to go to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage to celebrate the Passover at the Temple. When Jesus was twelve years old, Joseph and Mary, too, decided to go with all the pilgrims from Nazareth to Jerusalem for the Passover. They worshipped at the temple and set off home after the feast. Jesus lingered on in Jerusalem, unknown to his parents. After a day’s journey, they suddenly realized that Jesus was not seen anywhere in the caravan they traveled with. Frightened, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. They searched for three days, and then, to their amazement, they found him sitting in the temple surrounded by learned men and scholars, discussing things, asking and answering questions. All the people seemed to be deeply impressed with his knowledge and understanding. Mary went up to him and admonished him,

Return to Nazareth | Bible Story

Return to Nazareth | Bible Story When Herod died, the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream as promised and asked him to return to the land of his forefathers. Joseph was afraid of the new king, the son of Herod, so he thought it would be better to settle down somewhere far from Bethlehem or Jerusalem. The last time Jesus was taken to Jerusalem was when he was an infant. His parents had taken him there to present him to the Lord. A just and devout older man of Jerusalem named Simeon was touched by the Holy Spirit. He had been told that he would definitely see the Lord’s Christ before he died. When he saw the child with Mary and Joseph in the Temple, he came forward to bless him, for he recognized the Saviour. He told them their child had come to show people the right path

The Birth of John | Bible Story

The Birth of John | Bible Story Elizabeth gave birth to her son soon after Mary had returned. There was great rejoicing at the house of Zacharias and Elizabeth. On the eighth day, they were to name the baby. Names were suggested. Elizabeth said their child was to be named ‘John.’ When Zacharias was asked, he too wrote the name ‘John.’ And so, John was named. Immediately, Zacharias got back his voice and could speak again! The people who saw this were awe-struck! They wondered what kind of a child this was, for it seemed strange things were happening at his birth. Zacharias felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and raised his voice in praise of God. He said that God had visited his people and would now redeem them, saving them from their enemies as he had promised in his covenant, if the people of the land lived

Jesus Is Born | Jesus Story

Jesus Is Born | Jesus Story Joseph of Nazareth was a descendant of the house of David. He had heard about the angel’s visitation to Mary, whom he was betrothed. It was said that she would give birth to the Son of God. He wondered if it was right for him to marry her. He received his answer from an angel who came to him in a dream. The angel reassured him that he was right to marry Mary, who had received the grace of God and was blessed. The son should be called Jesus, for he shall save his people from sins. This was the fulfillment of an old prophecy. When Joseph awoke, he felt comforted. He married Mary and was very happy. The Roman Empire was ruled by Augustus Caesar. He wanted taxes to be collected from all the people, and people had to return to their places

The Three Wise Men of the East | Bible Story

The Three Wise Men of the East | Bible Story Three wise men traveled to Jerusalem from the East. They went to Herod, the king, and asked him, “Where is he who was born as the King of the Jews?” We came here to worship him after spotting his star in the East. Herod was very disturbed by this news. How could there be another king in his place? He called all the priests and advisers to consult them. One of them told him there was an old prophecy that the Saviour would be born in Bethlehem. When the three wise men learned this, they went to Bethlehem. There they found the beautiful child and gave him the three treasures they had brought as gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They had been warned by God in a dream not to return to Jerusalem with news about the child, as Herod

The Shepherds See the Light | Bible Story

The Shepherds See the Light | Bible Story On the outskirts of Jerusalem, some shepherds watched over their flocks of sheep at night. Suddenly, they were dazzled by a light that shone around them, and the voice of an angel spoke to them. Don’t be afraid! I bring you news of great joy! A Saviour who is Christ the Lord is born in the city of David tonight! You will find him in Bethlehem. You will recognize him, for he lies in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger! And the choir of angels sang: Glory be to God in the highest! And on earth, peace, and goodwill towards men! The shepherds looked at each other in wonder as the angels vanished. They wondered what to do as they were utterly taken aback. “We should go to Bethlehem and see if what they said has really happened,” said one of the

Mary Visits Elizabeth | Bible Story

Mary Visits Elizabeth | Bible Story Mary visited Elizabeth at her house in Judaea as soon as she could. As she entered Elizabeth’s house and greeted her, Elizabeth felt her baby moving within her. She thought that she was touched by the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth praised Mary for being the most blessed amongst women because she believed in God’s word and would see it be fulfilled in reality. She told her how her baby had responded inside her, hearing Mary’s voice! Mary was so happy that she sang the praises of the Lord: My soul encompasses the vision of God! He is my Saviour in whom I rejoice! I am the servant, blessed for generations, The one on whom fell His choice! A wonderful thing He did for me; May His Name always be Holy! For those who obey His love, He shows, And those too proud He destroys with

Mary Is Blessed | Bible Story

Mary Is Blessed | Bible Story Mary was a young cousin of Elizabeth who lived in Nazareth in Galilee. She was betrothed to Joseph, a descendant of the family of David and Abraham. One day, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to give her his message. She found the resplendent angel in her humble hut, addressing her. “Hail, Mary!” said the angel. “You are highly favored, for the Lord is with you! You are the most blessed of women! Mary looked at the angel, troubled and anxious because she did not know how to address an angel or what one is supposed to say to an angel. “Do not be afraid!” Gabriel reassured her. “God is pleased with you.” You will have a son who will be great. Name him Jesus. He shall be the Son of God, and God will grant him the throne of David to rule

Elizabeth Zacharias and Gabriel | Bible Story

Elizabeth Zacharias and Gabriel | Bible Story In Judaea lived a priest named Zacharias with his wife, Elizabeth. They had no children, and every day when he went to the Temple, Zacharias prayed for a child. One day, when he prayed, an angel appeared before him. “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias!” said the angel. “My name is Gabriel, and I have been sent by God to confirm the answer to your prayers. You shall have a son whom you must call John. He shall have the grace of God with him like the prophets, and he will turn the hearts of people towards God. He will prepare people for the coming of the Lord!” Stunned, Zacharias asked the angel, “How is it possible for us to have a son now when we are so old?” But Gabriel said that it was God’s will. But, since you do not believe me, you