Again, just bullet points today.
The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry 4:12-25
1. Jesus travels from Judea to Galilee. If you study the geography written about in the Bible, you will be blessed. Even the small details are a blesssing and filled with rich meaning.
2. Matthew sums it up his ministry in one phrase, Jesus began his preaching ministry by saying, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.” This is noteworthy when compared to the lengthy discourses later by Jesus in Matthew. It all comes back to repentance and expectancy.
The Calling of the First Four Disciples 4:18-22
1. In the case of both pairs of brothers, the initiative belongs to Jesus. They do not volunteer their services; he calls them into discipleship. What life is God calling you out of to come and follow Him? If you are already a Christian, what is the next step in your spiritual journey? The disciples are an interesting bunch of guys. Jesus selected one who would betray him and one who would doubt him.
2. Simon and Andrew, “left their nets” and James and John, “left the boat and their father.” The verb is very strong, "aphiemi", describing not merely departure but abandonment. Such is the total commitment Christ calls for (10:37).
News of Jesus’ Spreads 4:23-35
1. Teaching gives understanding. Jesus preaches and teaches—the two are distinguished. There is a difference between preaching the word and teaching the word.
2.We need to teach those who have embraced the proclamation of the good news.
3. Can you imagine what it would be like if Christ's earthly ministry had been in our time? With the Internet, Facebook, MySpace, cellphones, television, and newspaers...can you imagine the reporting on his miracles? Can you imagine if you read on Facebook that Jesus just "raised my son from the dead"? Sometimes I feel thankful that I was not living during the time of Christ as one of the religious people. Would I have embraced the Messiah in faith, when most others were despising him?
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