Good News!

N. T. #29 "Good News!"

March 17, 2023

Matthew 4-Part 9

LET IT GLOW

In John 1:40, we read of Andrew going to his brother Simon Peter, told him they had found the Messiah, the Christ, and brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus gave Simon Peter a new name-Cephas, which means Rock. Peter was fishing in the Sea of Galilee.  According to Matthew 4:19, Jesus called Andrew and Peter to follow Him and He would make the fishers of men.

And He saith unto them, Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men. 

In the Greek, straighway means directly; at once; immediately.

They would never fully return to the occupation they once held so dear. There is no greater calling than to serve Christ full time with every effort of our lives. (Falwell)

Two other brothers, sons of Zebedee, were fishing and mending their nets on their father's ship. They were fishing partners with Simon and Andrew. Who were they? They were James and John. Immediately, the brothers left their ship, father, and job, to follow Jesus. Certainly, they did bring people into the kingdom of God, fishers of men.

Do we throw out nets, loving others to Jesus? Do we mend relationships and those men mended their nets? Is Christ our Lord, whom we obey, leaving whatever and whomever in order to do His will? Obedience and faith are important in following Jesus Christ.

LET IT GROW

The other disciples told their callings a little different from Matthew. The Galilean ministry of Jesus is summarized in the closing verses of Matthew 4:

• He taught in the synagogues,
• preached the gospel of the kingdom,
• healed all manner of sickness and diseases.
• His fame spread.
• People brought to Jesus folks who were sick, possessed of demons, epileptic, or paralyzed. 
• Jesus healed them all.

As a result, large crowds followed Jesus wherever He went. The spread of the Good News went to Jerusalem, Judea, and east of the Jordan River.

However, people thought and hoped that Jesus would establish His kingdom here on earth at that time. It was not the right time, though. 

Can you see the compassion and love Jesus had for the needy ones? Are we spreading the same? One day, Jesus will return for His children and take us to heaven during the Tribulation. After that, Jesus will establish His kingdom on earth, reigning for a thousand years. Are you ready?

LET IT GO

Fill us with Your love, Jesus, so help meet the needs of others.

Fill us with the Good News of a Savior which came and bare our punishment for our sins.

All hail King Jesus!