Gospel Principles
Unit 4: Jesus Christ as Our Savior
Chapter 11: The Life of Jesus Christ
Concept 4: He Led a Perfect Life
"From his youth, Jesus obeyed all that was required of him by our Heavenly Father. Under the guidance of Mary and Joseph, Jesus grew much as other children grow. He loved and obeyed the truth. Luke tells us, "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." (Luke 2:40).
By the time he was twelve years old, Jesus knew he had been sent to do the will of his Father. He went with his parents to Jerusalem. When his parents were returning home, they discovered that he was not with their group.They went back to Jerusalem to look for him. "After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers." (Luke 2:46-47). Joseph and Mary were relieved to find him but unhappy that he had treated them so. Mary said: "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father [Joseph] and I have sought thee sorrowing. "Jesus answered her gently, reminding her that Joseph was only a stepfather: "wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 2:48-49).
In order to fulfill his mission, Jesus was to do the will of his Father in Heaven. "I do nothing of myself;" he declared, "but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. ... I do always those things that please him." (John 8:28-29).
When Jesus was thirty years old, he came to his cousin John to be baptized in the Jordan River. John was reluctant to baptize Jesus because he knew that Jesus had never sinned. Jesus asked John to baptize him in order "To fulfil all righteousness. "John did baptize the Savior, immersing him completely in the water. When Jesus was baptized, his Father spoke from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. "The Holy Ghost descended, as shown by the sign of the dove.
(Matthew 3:13-17
"13 ¶ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.")
Soon after Jesus' baptism, Satan came to him to tempt him. He wanted Jesus to fail his mission. If Satan could get him to commit just one sin, then Jesus would not be worthy to be our Savior, and the plan would fail. In this way Satan could make us as miserable as he is. We would never be able to return to our Heavenly Father.
Satan's temptations came after Jesus had been fasting for forty days. Jesus firmly resisted all these temptations, then commanded Satan to leave. When Satan was gone, angels came and ministered to Jesus.
(Matthew 4:1-11. "1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5 Then the devil taketh him up into the matt/4/5b">holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.")"