The Heartbeat of the Master

As much as we know about Jesus, there are some things the Bible doesn’t spell out. When did He first know He was God’s son? How did He know it? What did Mary and Joseph tell Him? What did His brothers and sisters think about Him?

The Gospels don’t answer all of these mysterious questions. But they do give us enough details about His life in Nazareth and His ministry to illustrate how He lived inside humanity and how we should live, too.

In this series by Jill, she paints a revealing picture of Jesus by studying certain statements He made at critical moments in His life. From His childhood and baptism to His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and crucifixion at Calvary, Jesus was always dedicated to “doing His Father’s business.”

This intimate portrait of Jesus gives us clear direction on how, amidst triumphs and struggles, we, too, can live a life focused on the Father.

“Why were you searching for me?’ he asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

Jill introduces a series on “The Heartbeat of Jesus,” which is about studying Christ’s life. She reflects on Jesus’ hidden childhood years, His family, and the single detailed story from His youth, found in Luke 2 —His visit to Jerusalem at age 12—as the starting point for understanding what shaped Him.

Scripture: Luke 2:49

“The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”

Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3 reveals His deep commitment to pleasing the Father, shown in His willingness to “fulfill all righteousness” and confirmed by God’s audible declaration of delight in His Son. Jill highlights three such divine affirmations and emphasizes that what brings God pleasure is Jesus Himself, whose life shows us what it means to live for God’s approval.

Scripture: John 8:29

Christ can give us the words to send the devil away. He can give us the words to rebuke the devil. In this message, Jill Briscoe gives us tools to handle temptation, even as we see it lived out in the life of Jesus.

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-4:11

"So Jesus said, 'When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.'"

Jesus' ministry only spanned three short years but had an incredible impact, lasting millennia. What was it about his approach that gave him such power?

Scripture: John 8:28

"Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'"

How would you feel if you knew you were going to die painfully tomorrow? When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was struggling with that same knowledge, for not only was He to be crucified the next day, but He was also to bear the weight of all our sin! How did He deal with such emotions? And how can we handle emotions in our own lives?

Scripture: Matthew 26:39

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

Isaiah 53 foretells the suffering servant who would bear humanity’s sin, and Jill connects this prophecy to Jesus’ crucifixion as described in Luke 23. She then explains the historical brutality of crucifixion, showing how Jesus willingly entered the most degrading form of execution to fulfill God’s redemptive plan.

Scripture: John 19:30

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

It's no secret that all of us will die in the end. Even Jesus died! And this makes His resurrection one of the most important aspects of His life and a source of incredible hope for us. 

Scripture: Matthew 28:20, Luke 24

"On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: 'Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.'"

After Jesus' ascension into heaven, the believers were filled with fear, wondering if they would be next to be crucified. But something happened that energized these people, gave them power to speak and do things as they never could have before! 

Scripture: Acts 1:4

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