Matthew 4:12-25
Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our
infirmities and stretch forth the hand of Your majesty to heal and defend us; Lord Jesus. Bless Thy Word. That we
might trust in Thee.
As our Gospel lesson opens this morning; we are told that John has been handed over. His time is done. This term is usually used to define Jesus’ work. When the forerunner is taken. Jesus will be next.
Jesus starts in Galilee. Even as he begins his ministry. The
Kingdom is suffering violence…to this day.
He withdraws. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in
Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali. Jesus
leaves Nazareth. And settles in Capernaum. But not a permanent situation. The
Son of man will have no place to rest his head. – Luke 9:58
By his coming in the flesh and by his preaching and miracles,
the LORD Jesus shines the light of his Gospel upon the people who walked in
darkness and those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness. -Isaiah
9:2 So that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled. The light
of the gospel begins to shine.
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – The kingdom has no come near.
This Kingdom draws near. It is at arm’s reach. The Kingdom is
the presence and work of Christ. The Kingdom is Jesus in their midst. And since
Jesus is ever present with you the Kingdom is constantly drawing near to you.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven has come near. Take notice. The message. And preaching of John and of
Jesus is one and the same. Every great prophet has preached repentance. Still.
Recall and remember. Repentance has two parts. Contrition and faith. More than
just stop it!
Contrition, that is, terrors smiting the conscience through
the knowledge of sin. The other is faith, which is born of the Gospel. Or absolution.
Which believes that for Christ's sake. Sins are forgiven. This sweet gospel. Comforts
the conscience. And delivers it from terrors.
1.
Jesus begins his ministry by calling disciples to Himself from the ends
of the earth.
A. For this purpose. Jesus calls Peter and Andrew. Along with James and John. To follow him. As “fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James; the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.” V. 21
Everyone has a calling. Zebedee stayed behind fishing for fish. Rejoicing in his vocation. Doing the LORD’s work in a secular world. Every job is honorable. Bloom where you are planted. Reflect the light where you live.
B. As Jesus did. They also go forth. “Proclaiming
the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among
the people.” (Matthew 4:23)
This will be the Savior’s pattern of
ministry. He will preach and heal. He relieves suffering as he becomes the
suffering servant. That Lamb of God. Who takes away the sin of the world.
The miraculous works of Christ that
came in the form of healing the sick and demon-possessed were undeniable marks
of His identity.
The “healing” (Greek - therapeuo)
ministry of Jesus was only in support of His teaching and preaching. He
validated His message and authority by the healing and other miracles that He
performed. It’s one thing to say, “I forgive you!” But to back up those words
with actions of power is quite another thing. It would only be an act of
cruelty to say to a crippled man, “get up and walk” unless you had the power to
heal.
Jesus never performed miracles simply
to display His power. He never performed miracles to draw attention to
Himself. It was always to authenticate
His message. He healed to identify Himself as the Savior the Father had
promised.
2. They preach the foolishness of the cross of Christ as the very power and wisdom of God.
A. This word and preaching of the cross divides. “Those who are perishing.” From. “Us who are being saved.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
The message of Epiphany is this – Jesus demonstrates His authority with His words and His actions. Do you believe this? Many have grown weary of empty words and failed promises. Words can be deceiving.
Actions can make us just as skeptical. Actions can be deceiving. What’s the motivation behind certain actions? What’s the reason? What’s the rationale behinds these actions? Can we trust this Jesus by His words and actions today? Or is He too just another con man?
B.
But it unites the Church, the body of Christ, “in the same mind and
the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)
Jesus taught the truth about the
kingdom. In fact, Christ’s power to heal proves His words are true. And it is
this gospel. The power of God for those who believe which unites us.
What are the marks of your identity dear Christian? You share
the same changeless Christ to an ever-changing world looking for light, life,
and hope. Our life together is a clear witness of the wounded, crucified and
risen Christ coupled with acts mercy and care.
You back up those words of redemption with actions of compassion that
prove you really do care!
Continue then with the same calling the LORD has given you.
Gossip the gospel with works of compassion and care.
Passive Sentences –6.7%
Readability – 77%
Reading Level –4.6
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