The Teachings of Jesus: 4 weeks in the Life of Christ (Day 3)

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008
by Justin

Matthew 4:12-25

Jesus Begins to Preach
12When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. 13Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
15″Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, along the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
16the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”

17From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

The Calling of the First Disciples
18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19″Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20At once they left their nets and followed him.

21Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus Heals the Sick
23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. 25Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis,[b] Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

v. 17 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Repentance or its form or idea has now been used 4 times, including the one, in Matthew 3-4. But this verse gives us a glimpse at what the “good news” (v. 23) is. It is repenting of their sin, turning from that sin, and following Jesus. These principles are laid out here.

v. 12-13 says that Jesus retured to Galilee and in v. 17 says that Jesus was preaching the good news (v. 27) for something since he was living there (v. 13). So how much time had Jesus lived there? I don’t have a clue but long enough to stake out 4 young men. Now since Jesus had been living here and preaching, these 4 men had to have heard what Jesus was preaching about. Verse 24 said that the news had spread all over Syria about Jesus, so these boys had to have heard him. Especially if they so easily had dropped their nets and left the only things that was going to support them. I mean come on. Would you follow just some random stranger and leave everything you had? Also v. 22 says they “immediately left the boat and their father.” I mean Zebedee was in the stinking boat. They had to have looked him in the eyes and said “Adios Padre.” Don’t you think that maybe Zebedee wanted to have a say in this. Don’t you think that Zebedee had other plans for them? Do you see what I am getting at.

• Jesus’ gospel was powerful.
• Jesus’ gospel was specific. Repent and follow me.
• Jesus’ gospel was famous. The whole country had heard about it. They were coming from everywhere.
• Jesus’ gospel changes people.Physically (people were getting healed and cured) and Spiritually (people’s sins were being forgiven.)

Jesus was the man. Everyone one wanted to follow him. But he called out 4 boys. He pointed them out specifically and said “Follow me!” Has Jesus done that for you? Has he looked into your eyes and said “Follow me.” If so, have you, or are still standing there in the water, smelling like a fish with a mossy net in your hands? Or maybe your even further away. Clear out in the boat surrounded by people who have other plans for you. What are you going to do? Are you going to drop your nets or get out of the boat? Hmmm…