Jesus Christ: Dangerous Prayers

Jesus Christ (ca. 4 BC–30 AD)

Jesus Christ is undoubtedly the most controversial figure in human history.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Palestine’s West Bank, in approximately 4 BC. The Bible teaches that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:20, 25; Luke 1:26-35). Joseph, Mary’s betrothed husband, would serve as Jesus’ earthly father.

Jesus’ life was tumultuous from the very beginning. Mary and Joseph were forced to flee as refugees to Egypt when Herod the Great, in an effort to kill Jesus, ordered that all infants under age two be murdered. The family stayed in Egypt until Herod’s death and then settled in Nazareth.

Little is known about Jesus’ adolescent years. Luke 3:23 recounts that Jesus’ ministry started when He was around thirty. He was baptized by John the Baptist, who announced that Jesus was the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). After Jesus’ baptism, He spent forty days fasting in the wilderness and was tempted by the enemy. On three separate occasions, the enemy tempted Jesus, and the Gospels testify that Jesus overcame the devil by speaking the Word of God (Matthew 4:1-11).

The four Gospels chronicle Jesus’ life and ministry, which included miraculous healings, preaching of the gospel, and making disciples out of His followers. The Scriptures teach that Jesus was convicted of blasphemy for claiming to be God, He was crucified on a Roman cross, and on the third day, He rose from the dead. Christians believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world. The most well-known scripture testifies of this:

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. — John 3:16 NIV

Our Father in Heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

— Jesus Christ, found in Matthew 6:9-13

Excerpted with permission from Dangerous Prayers by Susan Hill, copyright Thomas Nelson.

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Your Turn

As we approach Holy Week, let’s dwell on Jesus, learn more about Him, read the red-letter words, and fix our eyes on the dangerous way He taught His disciples to pray. Come share your thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer on our blog! We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily