Matthew 4:12-25
Jesus Begins to Preach
12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
18 As 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 send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going 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, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Jesus Heals the Sick
23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News 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. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
Jesus began His ministry with calling to repent from sin...Then He chose His Twelve Disciples...Though His Disciples were a diverse group they did not much have many religious credentials...There Teacher had enough knowledge of God to teach them and everyone about God...Jesus went around Galilee helping people and from there His Ministry grew and grew...
So when I think of Jesus' Ministry and how it took shape and became forever popular...I think of the Twelve He chose to follow Him...And then I think of Him helping people in need, healing people, and helping those in need...He helped those who felt they were outcasts...He taught much about God, during His helping and His interaction with others...His Ministry was surrounded by those spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically sick...And His teachings was surrounded by His knowledge of God to those He helped and was with......He ministered to the poor and the broken learning about God from Him...These were the members of His flock that learned from Him...