Lesson 16 What Did Jesus Do While on Earth?
[Image:] Jesus teaching a group of men and women as they sit on a hillside.
Many people think of Jesus as a helpless baby, a wise prophet, or a dying man. But can we learn more about him from examining his life on earth? In this lesson, we will consider some of the most important things that Jesus did and how they affect you.
1. What was Jesus’ main work?
Jesus’ main work was to “declare the good news of the Kingdom of God.” (Read Luke 4:43) He preached the good news that God would establish a kingdom, or government, that would solve all of humankind’s problems. * Jesus tirelessly shared this positive message for three and a half years.
[Quotation] Matthew 9:35: And Jesus set out on a tour of all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the Kingdom and curing every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity. [End Quotation]
[Footnote] * Lessons 31 through 33 will discuss God’s Kingdom in more detail. [End of footnote]
[Read scripture] Luke 4:43: But he said to them: “I must also declare the good news of the Kingdom of God to other cities, because for this I was sent.” [End of Read scripture]
2. What was the purpose of Jesus’ miracles?
The Bible describes many “powerful works and wonders and signs that God did through [Jesus].” (Acts 2:22)
[Quotation] Acts 2:22: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus the Nazarene was a man publicly shown to you by God through powerful works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, just as you yourselves know. [End Quotation]
With God’s power, Jesus was able to control the weather, feed thousands, heal the sick, and even bring the dead back to life.
[Quotation] Matthew 8:23 through 27: And when he went aboard a boat, his disciples followed him. Now look! a great storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves; but he was sleeping. And they came and woke him up, saying: “Lord, save us, we are about to perish!” But he said to them: “Why are you so afraid, you with little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and a great calm set in. So the men were amazed and said: “What sort of person is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him.” [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Matthew 14:15 through 21: But when evening fell, his disciples came to him and said: “The place is isolated and the hour is already late; send the crowds away, so that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” However, Jesus said to them: “They do not have to leave; you give them something to eat.” They said to him: “We have nothing here except five loaves and two fish.” He said: “Bring them here to me.” And he instructed the crowds to recline on the grass. Then he took the five loaves and two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said a blessing, and after breaking the loaves, he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. So they all ate and were satisfied, and they took up the leftover fragments, 12 baskets full. Now those eating were about 5,000 men, as well as women and young children. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Mark 6:56: And wherever he would enter into villages or cities or the countryside, they would place the sick ones in the marketplaces, and they would plead with him that they might touch just the fringe of his outer garment. And all those who touched it were made well. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Luke 7:11 through 17: Soon afterward he traveled to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd were traveling with him. As he got near the gate of the city, why look! there was a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother. Besides, she was a widow. A considerable crowd from the city was also with her. When the Lord caught sight of her, he was moved with pity for her, and he said to her: “Stop weeping.” With that he approached and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. Then he said: “Young man, I say to you, get up!” And the dead man sat up and started to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Now fear seized them all, and they began to glorify God, saying: “A great prophet has been raised up among us,” and, “God has turned his attention to his people.” And this news concerning him spread out into all Judea and all the surrounding country. [End Quotation]
Jesus’ miracles made it clear that God had sent him. They also showed that Jehovah has the power to solve all our problems.
3. What can we learn from the way Jesus lived?
Jesus obeyed Jehovah in every situation. (Read John 8:29) Despite opposition, Jesus faithfully did what his Father asked of him right up until his death. He proved that it is possible for humans to serve God, even under difficult conditions. Thus, Jesus left “a model for [us] to follow his steps closely.” (1 Peter 2:21)
[Quotation] 1 Peter 2:21: In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving a model for you to follow his steps closely. [End Quotation]
[Read scripture] John 8:29: And the One who sent me is with me; he did not abandon me to myself, because I always do the things pleasing to him.” [End of Read scripture]
Dig Deeper
Consider how Jesus shared the good news and performed miracles.
4. Jesus shared good news
Jesus walked hundreds of miles on dusty roads, sharing the good news with as many people as possible. Read Luke 8:1, and then discuss the questions that follow:
[Read scripture] Luke 8:1: Shortly afterward he traveled from city to city and from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the Kingdom of God. And the Twelve were with him, [End of Read scripture]
Did Jesus preach only to people who gathered to listen to him?
What effort did Jesus make to find people?
God foretold that the Messiah would share good news. Read Isaiah 61:1 and 2, and then discuss the questions that follow:
[Read scripture] Isaiah 61:1 and 2: The spirit of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah is upon me, Because Jehovah anointed me to declare good news to the meek. He sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And the wide opening of the eyes to the prisoners, To proclaim the year of Jehovah’s goodwill And the day of vengeance of our God, To comfort all who mourn, [End of Read scripture]
How did Jesus fulfill this prophecy?
Do you think people today need to hear this good news?
[Image:] Jesus walking into a village with some of his disciples.
5. Jesus taught valuable truths
In addition to preaching the good news about God’s Kingdom, Jesus taught practical lessons.
Consider a few examples from his famous Sermon on the Mount. Read Matthew 6:14, 34 and 7:12, and then discuss the questions that follow:
[Read scripture] Matthew 6:14: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] Matthew 6:34: So never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles. [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] Matthew 7:12: “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must do to them. This, in fact, is what the Law and the Prophets mean. [End of Read scripture]
What practical advice did Jesus give in these verses
Do you think that this advice is still helpful?
[Image:] Jesus giving his Sermon on the Mount to a crowd of men, women, and children.
6. Jesus performed miracles
Jehovah empowered Jesus to perform many miracles. To see one example, read Mark 5:25 through 34 or play the video A Sick Woman Is Cured (5:10). Then discuss the questions that follow.
[Disclaimer: The following video is created by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; however, the audio description has been added by independent blind and sighted volunteers to assist those who are blind or have low vision]
[Click for Transcript]|[A Sick Woman is Cured]
[In the area of Capernaum, inside a home, a young girl lies in bed surrounded by relatives. Her mother strokes her forehead with a cloth. Outside, three Israelite women sit together under a small tent, sewing and talking amongst themselves. Nearby, a sick Jewish woman grips her hooded shawl and grimaces as she slowly sits on a rock. She peers at the three women and approaches them]
Jewish woman: Pardon me, good women. I heard that Jesus the Nazarene is somewhere in the area. Have you seen him?
Israelite woman 1: Why are you seeking him out? Are you one of his disciples? Are you one of his servants?
Israelite woman 2: My dear woman, from what I hear, the size of the crowds will not allow you to come near Jesus. Do not even dream of meeting him!
Israelite woman 3: Sisters, sisters! Where is your love of strangers? Please, excuse their rudeness. How can we be of assistance? Come, sit here with us.
Jewish woman: Thank you. I have an urgent need to meet the Lord Jesus.
Israelite woman 2: Well, I’m not sure he’s any kind of lord, but I can tell you I’ve heard no reports about Jesus being around here.
Israelite woman 1: Are you related to him?
Jewish woman: No. But I heard that he’s curing the sick, and I am a very sick woman. I’ve suffered from a flow of blood for some 12 years. I’ve been unable to get a cure from anyone. And I have suffered so much at the hands of many physicians. All of my money has been spent on this dreadful condition. And after all these efforts, am I better? No! I have become worse! When I heard about Jesus and the miracles that he has performed, I knew he must be from God. I have faith in his power. He can heal me. Even if I could touch just the fringes of his outer garment, I will get well. Otherwise, I will surely die.
[A large bustling crowd following Jesus come near]
Jairus: Teacher! Teacher, again I plead with you! My little daughter is extremely ill. Please, come and put your hands on her so that she may get well and live. Please! Come to my house.
Disciple: Jesus, this is Jairus, one of the presiding officers of the synagogue. He has been begging for your help.
Jesus: Jairus, where is your daughter? Please, take me to her.
Jairus: She is a beautiful girl. She is my only daughter. She is only 12 years old, and she is dying. Please! Come quickly!
Jesus: I will come. Please lead the way.
[The sick woman weaves through the crowd and hunches down as she advances toward Jesus quickly grabbing on to his outer garment. Wide-eyed she removes the hood of her shawl, briefly feels her hands over her body then stares up at Jesus who suddenly turns around]
Jesus: Who touched my outer garments? Who touched me?
Follower: Not me, my Lord!
Jesus: Peter, James, did one of you touch me?
Peter and James: No, my Lord. Jesus, surely you can see the crowds pressing in on you. And you ask, who touched me?
Jesus: Someone touched me, for I know that power went out of me.
Disciple: Woman, did you touch the Lord?
[With furrowed brows, she reluctantly turns, dashes towards Jesus and fall to her knees]
Jewish Woman: Please, please forgive me, my Lord. It was I who touched you. I merely touched the fringes of his outer garments.
[Jesus bends down and gently places his hand on her shoulder]
Jesus: Have no fear. You’ve done nothing wrong. Tell me, why did you touch my garment?
Jewish woman: My Lord, I have been very ill for 12 years! Many physicians have treated me. I have spent all that I had trying to find a cure, but my condition got no better. Rather, I got worse! I’ve heard about you. I have faith in you. I knew that if I could just touch the fringes of your outer garment, I could get well. Forgive me! I just wanted to get well.
Jesus: Take courage, daughter! Your faith has made you well.
[With a broad smile, Jesus takes both of her hands, and they stand together]
Go in peace and be healed from your grievous sickness.
[Turning towards the home of Jairus, Jesus and his disciples beam at one another]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2016 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
In the video, of what was the sick woman convinced?
What impresses you about this miracle?
[Read scripture] Mark 5:25 through 34: Now there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for 12 years. She had suffered much at the hands of many physicians and had spent all her resources, and she was no better but, rather, had become worse. When she heard the reports about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his outer garment, for she kept saying: “If I touch just his outer garments, I will get well.” And immediately her flow of blood dried up, and she sensed in her body that she had been healed of the grievous sickness. Immediately Jesus realized in himself that power had gone out of him, and he turned around in the crowd and asked: “Who touched my outer garments?” But his disciples said to him: “You see the crowd pressing in on you, and you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” However, he was looking around to see who had done this. The woman, frightened and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. He said to her: “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed from your grievous sickness.” [End of Read scripture]
Read John 5:36, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] John 5:36: But I have the witness greater than that of John, for the very works that my Father assigned me to accomplish, these works that I am doing, bear witness that the Father sent me. [End of Read scripture]
What did Jesus’ miracles “bear witness” to, or prove, about him?
[Image:] Jesus kneeling and talking to a frightened woman right after she was miraculously healed from a flow of blood.
[Box] Did You Know?
Most of what we know about Jesus comes from the four Bible books called the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each Gospel writer included different details about Jesus. These details all fit together to provide a fascinating picture of his life.
MATTHEW wrote his Gospel first. It emphasizes Jesus’ teachings, especially what Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God.
MARK composed the shortest Gospel. It is fast-moving and action-packed.
LUKE gives special attention to prayer and to how Jesus treated women.
JOHN reveals much about Jesus’ personality by relating many conversations that Jesus had with his close friends and others. [End of box]
[Box]
Some People Say: “Jesus was just a good man, and nothing more." What do you think? [End of box]
Summary
Jesus preached about God’s Kingdom, performed miracles, and obeyed Jehovah in every situation.
Review
What was Jesus’ main work while on earth?
What do Jesus’ miracles prove?
What practical lessons did Jesus teach?
Goal
Watch the drama ‘For a Certainty God Made Him Lord and Christ’ Part 2 or read Matthew chapters 5 to 7 to learn more about Jesus’ ministry. Set Other Goals
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Explore
What subject did Jesus speak about the most? “God’s Kingdom—What It Means to Jesus” (The Watchtower, October 1, 2014)
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Consider why we can trust that Jesus’ miracles really happened. “The Miracles of Jesus—What Can You Learn?” (The Watchtower, July 15, 2004)
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Read how Jesus’ example of self-sacrifice affected one man. “My Life Was All About Me” (The Watchtower, October 1, 2014)
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See the main activities of Jesus’ ministry organized chronologically. “Main Events of Jesus’ Earthly Life” (New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, Appendix A7)
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