The Beginning Required a Move

 N. T. #26 "The Beginning Required a Move"

March 14, 2023

Matthew 4-Part 6

LET IT GLOW

Next month, it will be year since our ministry was changed. We thought we could just settle down in a little country church and help the pastor minister there. How we enjoyed worshiping with family again! However, it was only for a short time. God had other plans for us. A wonderful church called my husband to be its pastor, only 30 minutes away. What an unexpected blessing! Needless to say, it was very hard to leave. What joy was waiting for us! Jesus had a similar task-to move His ministry to another place. 

Jesus begins His ministry as the Messiah. He showed the love of God to a hurting, wicked, and evil world. However, Jesus was in competition in ministry with John the Baptist. John's purpose had been fulfilled, his work for the kingdom was complete. He was put in prison. That was a sign to Jesus to take up where John left off, preaching repentance for the sinner. Jesus was bringing light into a dark world. 

What happened?

• Jesus heard of John's imprisonment. (verse 12)
• Jesus moved His headquarters of ministry from Nazareth to Capernaum, which is located north on the Sea of Galilee.(verse 12-13)
• This was a deliberate decision to fulfill Scriptures. (verse 14)
• Jesus was on mission now. (verses 15-16)
• He had a message. (verse 17) Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near. 

Jesus did not stop loving His cousin John, but John's ministry was over and Jesus began His. Isaiah 9:1-2 describes this area, where it was a hard ministry of Jesus. Gentiles had moved into the region because of the rough Roman reign. Jesus is the great Light that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death. His light shined upon the Gentiles until Jesus went into Jerusalem at the appointed time. 

Isaiah foretold of the coming Savior/Messiah in 9:6. ...His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

LET IT GROW

Why did Jesus leave Nazareth? After all, He grew up there and everyone knew Him, the carpenter's son. The people there would not accept Jesus' fantastic claim to be the Messiah. Luke 4 tells us Jesus preached in the synagogue on the Sabbath (Saturday) day. In verse 21, Jesus said, This day is this scripture fulfilled. (In reference to verses 18-19)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 

Jesus clamed to be the Messiah and the people rejected Him in Nazareth. Instead of believing Jesus to be the Christ, they were indignant and sought to cast Jesus over the side of the mountain into the valley below. Their wicked intentions was not carried out, for god saw to it. Jesus went away unhindered. 

I like Luke 4:30, And He passing through the midst of them went His way.

What Jesus said in verse 24 is true, No prophet is accepted in His own country. 

It is difficult to minister to the people with whom you grow up. Although, we did stay 22 years at one local church. Eventually, we had to leave. My husband's words were rejected. 

So Jesus was rejected by His hometown. He established His headquarters in Capernaum (20 miles away) and continued to minister in the Sea of Galilee area.

Has the Lord been working to move you somewhere else so you can minister to others? Trust Him to open the doors. If it be the will of God, it will be a success. 

LET IT GO

Trust and follow. Trust and obey. That is the only way to be happy in Jesus.