The Ministry of Jesus

Jesus began His ministry after He was baptized by John the Baptist.  But before that, when Jesus was 12 years old (the time of a Jewish boy's bar mitzvah), he went to Jerusalem and to the Temple.  There He was asked questions by the Jewish teachers, who were amazed by His wise answers.  The following picture, though not clear, is my favorite (I do not know the artist).

When Jesus was about thirty years old, He began His ministry by being baptized by the John the Baptist in the Jordan River.  The Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove, and the Father announced that He was His beloved Son.  Here is a painting by Reni, a Baroque artist, of the baptism.

Here is another by El Greco, another Baroque artist.

After Jesus was baptized He was led by the Holy Spirit out into the wilderness to fast for forty days, and there He was tempted by the Devil.  Here is a painting of Christ in the Desert by Kramskoi, a Russian artist, I believe.

After He returned from the wilderness, John pointed Him out to some of his own disciples, calling Him the Lamb of God.  Those disciples became disciples of Jesus.   Here is The Appearance of Christ to the People by Ivanov, a Russian artist.

Jesus began to teach the people, as in this painting by an unknown artist.

And, of course, Jesus healed many people.  Here is Jesus Healing the Sick by Heinrich Hofmann

And here is Christ Healing the Blind by El Greco

After Jesus fed 5000 people with a few loaves and fishes, He walked on the lake water to the boat the disciples were in.  Another time He calmed the winds and waves on the lake when the disciples were afraid for their lives.  Here we see Him being wakened by His disciples, in The Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt.

If you would like to go on to the Passion of Christ, click on the following picture of John the Baptist by El Greco.  If you prefer to return to the beginning page, click the alpha and omega.