Shortly after the birth of Jesus Christ, Herod the Great, that tyrant king of the Jews, died. Although Herod had attempted to protect his throne, the Roman authorities divided his kingdom into several distinct regions. The southern region, called Judea, with Jerusalem at it's heart. East of Judea, beyond the Jordan River, was the land of Perea. North of Judea the central hill country was known as Samaria, with its mixed population of Jews and Gentiles who had intermarried generations earlier. North of Samaria was Galilee, including Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, and the harbour village of Capernaum, which would play such important roles in the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus grew up in Nazareth, in the northern region of Galilee. But He would carry on an itinerant ministry. This travelling ministry makes it possible for us to describe Jesus’ life using geographic terms. Although He grew up in Galilee, Jesus’ public ministry began in the southern region of Judea where John the Baptist had begun his prophetic ministry.
The story of Jesus’ ministry begins with John the Baptist. God raised up John to be a powerful prophet and the forerunner of the Messiah. John’s preaching prepared the hearts of many for the arrival of Jesus. In addition, it would be John’s great privilege to introduce Jesus to the world.
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