The ministry of Jesus had many aspects to it. He began by being baptized and tested in the wilderness. He then performed miracles in front of people and signs to teach them. He spoke in parables and taught people about Himself and the kingdom. Jesus did so many things and his death and resurrection was the most special of all. 

While in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus wished that the suffering he was about to endure would go away (Matthew 26:39). But he ended up praying that God’s will be done, and He knew this was what he had to do. He suffered at the hands of men, being beaten, whipped, and hung on a cross. In the Old Testament, a sacrifice had to be given in order for sin to be forgiven. But now, Jesus was going to sacrifice for everyone’s sins for all time, and he did (1 John 2:2, Hebrews 9:12). Jesus gave his own life for us so that we could be saved from our sins and have eternal life with Him (Ephesians 1:7, John 3:16). 

But this story doesn’t end with a dead Savior. Jesus was buried in a tomb. He was wrapped in cloth and set in a tomb that was not His own. He was dead for three days. On the third day, he came back to life. He resurrected and overcame death so that we too can overcome death through Him (1 Corinthians 15:4). Paul says that we will have new bodies in the resurrection and we will have victory over death. Yes we may dies in this life, but we will live eternally because Jesus has been raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:57). 

After Jesus resurrected, he commissioned the disciples to make disciples of Himself and baptize them. In the book of Acts the second chapter, the disciples were given the Holy Spirit just as Jesus said they would. Jesus told his disciples in John 14:16, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever”. Jesus would give them a Helper or Advocate and this was the Holy Spirit that we see coming true in Acts 2. Now with the Holy Spirit, Jesus lives in us through the Spirit (John 14:20) and we live by faith as the Spirit prompts us. 

Jesus’ ministry doesn’t end with the apostles receiving the Holy Spirit. His ministry is still continuing today and will continue until he comes again. It continues through each believer who has the Holy Spirit and lives according to the Spirit. With each loving deed followers of Jesus do, we continue his mission as He guides us through the Spirit. We may not perform miracles or be as good of a teacher, but He has given us all a gift to use. That gift is used to bring God’s kingdom here, just as Jesus did. May we carry on the mission of Jesus through the work of the Spirit.