A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

Ses s i on 2: The Gospe l s : The Man i fes tat i on of Chr i s t , Par t I 61

5. After this miracle, Jesus spent some time in Capernaum, a significant place and center of his future ministry, John 2.12.

VIII. Principles and Implications for Study and Obedience

A. Principles

1. Jesus of Nazareth’s birth, infancy, and childhood are clear and compelling signs of the Messiah’s appearance to the nation.

2. John the Baptist is the prophet , in fulfillment of the promise for Messiah’s forerunner to appear , who announces Messiah’s ministry.

3. Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan and tempted by the devil in the wilderness, demonstrating in both events his recapitulation of Israel’s history and his complete identification with sinners as the faithful High Priest of the Lord. 4. Jesus of Nazareth makes his public announcement of his Messiahship at Nazareth and performs his first confirming sign of his Messiahship at Cana. In the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the ancient hope of the Messiah is fulfilled in “the fullness of times” (cf. Gal. 4.4-6).

B. Critical implications

1. The Kingdom has come in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. It is already here, but not yet consummated (cf. Mark 1.14-15).