Impact



Matthew 4:18-25
18While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
19And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
20Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
21And 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.
22Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
23And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
24So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.
25And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

The introduction of the Book of Matthew has concluded and the second part of the book is opened. Jesus has been established in the minds of the readers as the Son of God, the One who was promised throughout the Old Testament, the Messiah. Now it is time to see what He would do as the fulfillment of God’s plan.

As a Teacher, Jesus now gathers followers. He summons Peter, Andrew, James, and John. They are simply the first 4 of the original 12 who will become His disciples for the next three years. The come with the promise that they will learn how to influence people for the Lord God. All four of them were fisherman by trade and Jesus promises that they will now seek after a new catch. Their willingness to follow is immediate. When choosing a career, we generally spend a few years in college or some type of training. That is exactly what these men are being offered although they probably couldn’t have articulated that at the time. They are going to enter Jesus’ school of discipleship. When He leaves them, they will have everything they need to fulfill their calling except the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sends after his ascension.

Jesus also begins showing the people that God is with them. He heals diseases, casts out demons, and frees those suffering from mental illness. And of course, His fame spreads. It would have been an amazing thing to see. For now, His ministry is found in the northern part of what was the land that God had given to His people. The crowds around Him grow. It must have been an interesting time, as the Jewish hierarchy doesn’t yet have their eye on Him. He is simply healing the people and spreading the Gospel. His message is the same as John’s had been. “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near."

If you had been of those healed or who had heard His message in person, what might you have said about Him? That question still remains for us. What might we say about Him? He has healed us and He has delivered the same message of repentance to us. Because of knowing Him, our lives are forever changed. We have something to say – so let’s say it!

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