Sunday, January 13, Lesson: Matthew 4:12-25; Time of Action: A.D.; Place of Action: Capernaum and by the Sea of Galilee

Transcription

1 Sunday, January 13, 2019 Lesson: Matthew 4:12-25; Time of Action: A.D.; Place of Action: Capernaum and by the Sea of Galilee Golden Text: And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people (Matthew 4:23). I. INTRODUCTION. Although the work of Jesus stirred great public interest, it was not the Father s plan for His Son to do all the ministry. Twelve men were chosen to learn from Jesus and then duplicated His compassion and care as they carried forth His message. While not the most talented or popular men, they were handpicked by the Messiah and called into His personal service. The beginning days of Jesus ministry prepared Him for a life of service, setting the line that service would follow. In this week s lesson text, Matthew recorded events that both confirmed Jesus identity and also revealed early stages of His actual ministry. II. BACKGROUND FOR THE LESSON. This week s lesson

2 follows Jesus temptation in the wilderness (see Matthew 4:1-11). Our lesson begins with Matthew 4:12. We don t know how long it was from Jesus temptations until the time our lesson takes place, but it was probably not very long. III. JESUS BEGINS HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY (Matthew 4:12-16) A. Jesus in Galilee (Matthew 4:12). Our first verse says Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee. In the early stages of His ministry, Jesus received word that John the Baptist had been cast into prison. John was thrown into prison because as Matthew 14:3-5 says, his forthright preaching brought the wrath of King Herod upon him. John spoke against Herod s unlawful marriage to Herodias, his sister-inlaw. Herod arrested him and wanted to kill him, but he feared the Jewish multitudes who regarded John as a prophet (see Matthew 21:25-26; Mark 11:32; Luke 7:28; 20:6). Knowing that John was in prison was important to Jesus because it was His signal to begin His ministry. After hearing of John s imprisonment, Jesus departed into Galilee. With John unable to continue his public ministry, it seems that the Pharisees in Jerusalem turned their attention to Jesus (see John 4:1-3). No doubt Jesus sensed that this was not the time to engage these Jewish religious leaders, so He left Judea and traveled north to the province of Galilee. There He would begin His great Galilean ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing (see Matthew 4:23).

3 Note: Notice that Jesus did not go into the region of Galilee until He heard of John s imprisonment. Before John was imprisoned, he was given time to prepare the way of the Lord (see Malachi 3:1; Matthew 3:1-3; John 3:23-24), before the Lord Himself could appear and begin His ministry. It was in God s plan that John s ministry should be dimmed before Christ s ministry could shine forth (see John 3:27-28, 30); otherwise the minds of people could have been divided between the two men (see John 3:25-26). It s quite possible that some people would have said, I am of John and others, I am of Jesus, thus causing a division (see 1 Corinthians 1:11-13). John was sent to be Christ s herald, not his rival. John s ministry was concluding and Jesus ministry was just now beginning. This verse brings us to another point. God will not leave Himself without a witness or His church without leaders. When He removes one useful instrument, He can raise up another, and He will do it, if He has work to be done. After the death of Moses, God said to Joshua Moses my servant is dead, now, therefore, Joshua, arise. Now God said John is cast into prison, therefore Jesus, arise. B. Jesus settled in Capernaum according to prophecy (Matthew 4:13-16). 1. (vs. 13). This verse says And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim. Although Jesus had lived for many years in

4 Nazareth, He did not choose to make His hometown His base of operations. Judea, the southern part of Israel was the heart of Jewish life, so people expected prophets to minister there as did John the Baptist. But Jesus didn t fit that typical pattern. His ministry was to have a different geographical focus. Therefore, this verse says that he left Nazareth. Note: Jesus had good reason to leave Nazareth. The men of that city thrust him out from among them (see Luke 4:29). Jesus made them the first offer of His service, but they rejected Him and His doctrine, and were filled with indignation at Him and it. Therefore, He left Nazareth, shaking the dust off His feet for a testimony against those there (see Matthew 10:13-15; Mark 6:11; Luke 9:5), who would not allow Him to teach them. Nazareth was the first place that refused Christ, and was therefore refused by Him. This is proof that God, will take the gospel of His grace away from those who don t want it, and also thrust them away. Christ will not stay long where He is not welcome. Scripture indicates that Jesus was welcome at Capernaum, and was received better than He had been at Nazareth (see Luke 4:31-37). The truth is, if some reject Christ, others will receive Him, and make Him welcome. Nazareth s lost was Capernaum s gain. After leaving Nazareth, this verse says that Jesus came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast. The town of Capernaum was a bustling place focused on the fishing industry. The phrase which is upon the sea coast means that Capernaum was situated along the Sea of Galilee. This verse also tells us that the town of Capernaum was located in the borders of Zabulon

5 and Nephthalim. These are the two cities in the north that Isaiah prophesied would first experience the Messiah s ministry as we shall see in the next 3 verses. 2. (vs. 14). This verse continues to say That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying Matthew tells us that what we read about Jesus up to this point was a fulfillment of prophecy spoken by Esaias the prophet. The prophecy that was fulfilled is quoted from Isaiah 9:1-2 with some variation as we shall see in the following verses. 3. (vs. 15). This verse says The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles As noted in the previous verse, this verse is quoted from Isaiah 9:1, but not completely. The complete verse says Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. In Isaiah s prophecy, God was promising that although Israel was experiencing great dimness or darkness and anguish due to the Assyrian invasion, that time of darkness and despair would not go on forever. Matthew picks up the prophecy in this verse with The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles but he left out the words and afterward did more grievously afflict her. It s not unusual for Bible writers to partially quote a scripture passage as Matthew does here. Many Bible scholars agree

6 that a clearer translation of Isaiah 9:1 would be In the past, the Lord treated Zebulun and Naphtali with judgment and contempt. But in the future, that land will be honored the land along the sea, the land east of the Jordan River, and Galilee where people from other nations live. The point of this part of the prophecy was that Zebulon (or Zabulon) and Nephthalim (or Naphtali) represented the northern kingdom which received the greatest attack by the Assyrians who carried many of them into captivity. 4. (vs. 16). This verse says The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. This verse is the second part of the prophecy. It reveals the contrast between Israel s affliction by the Assyrians in Isaiah s day and their future hope fulfilled by the presence of the Messiah. Isaiah described this when he said The people which sat in darkness saw great light. In other words, the prophet wrote that the people who lived in the region of Zabulon, and Nephthalim (or Naphtali), after all these years were still living in spiritual darkness, but now they had suddenly been illuminated by a great light. This great light arrived in the Person and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Zachariah s song when John the Baptist was born prophesied that the Messiah would give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death (see Luke 1:79). The final phrase and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up is really a Hebrew parallelism which means saying the same thing in two different ways. In other words, the first part of this verse The people which sat in darkness saw great

7 light and the second part and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up are making the same point about the same region of Galilee but using different phrases. The point of both phrases is that the people who live in the region of Galilee and living in spiritual darkness have now been blessed with a Great Light The Messiah. The Amplified Bible translates this verse like this: The people who were sitting (living) in (spiritual) darkness have seen a great light, and for those who were sitting (living) in the land and shadow of (spiritual and moral) death, upon them a Light has come. Note: When the gospel of Jesus Christ comes, light comes. When the gospel comes to any place, when it comes to any soul, it brings light and life (see John 3:129; Luke 1:78-79). Light is discovering and is directing and so is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. IV. JESUS PREACHES AND CALLS HELPERS (Matthew 4:17-22) A. The content of Jesus preaching (Matthew 4:17). This verse says From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The words From that time refer to the time that Jesus came into Galilee, into the land of Zebulun and Naphtali. From that time Jesus began to preach. He had been preaching before this in Judea, and had made and baptized many disciples (see John 3:22; 4:1-3). But His preaching there was not as public and constant as it now

8 began to be. Jesus message was Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. This was the same message as John s (see Matthew 3:1). Obviously, Jesus said other things in His preaching, but everything He said related to this basic message. The word repent means to have a change of mind. Just like John, Jesus called upon the people to change their minds about themselves, their need, the King and His kingdom. The kingdom that Jesus said was at hand was the one promised to David. It was at hand because Jesus who was a descendant of David was there among them (see Matthew 12:28; Luke 17:21). The heart of Jesus message concerned the spiritual preparation that would be necessary before He would set up His messianic rule on earth. B. The call of Simon Peter and Andrew (Matthew 4:18-19). 1. (vs. 18). This verse says And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. As previously mentioned, Jesus was beginning His ministry in Galilee, the northern region of Israel. This verse says that at some point, Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea. As Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw two men who were brothers who He wanted for His work. They were in a boat casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers or fishermen. One was named Simon which was Peter s give name, and the other brother s name

9 was Andrew. Jesus gave Simon the nick-name Peter or Cephas when He met the two brothers earlier while they were disciples of John the Baptist (see John 1:35-42). At that time, Jesus told him that from then on he would be called Cephas which was Aramaic or Hebrew for Peter. Both names mean a stone (see John 1:42). The Sea of Galilee is also called the Sea of Tiberias (see John 6:1; 21:1). It was about 13 miles long and eight miles wide and about 150 ft. deep. It was always filled with fish and provided a source of employment for many. 2. (vs. 19). This verse says And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Jesus call to Andrew and Peter was to the point and included a promise: Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Jesus was calling on them to leave their occupation and follow Him. Jesus promised to transform or change their work so that they would become fishers of men. They would no longer catch fish; they would now catch men. But their ability to do this would not happen overnight. Jesus would train them for this purpose. As they followed Jesus, they would develop spiritually and also gain the skills needed to teach others. Jesus taught His disciples so that they could teach others. The Apostle Paul did the same thing with Timothy (see II Timothy 2:2). Note: The Lord often calls helpers while they are engaged in their normal work. These two men were faithfully doing their everyday duties to earn a living when Jesus called them. His call to them didn t mean there was anything wrong with what they were doing. He simply wanted them to be engaged in a higher calling. Andrew and Peter may

10 have become Jesus followers in the sense of accepting Him as Messiah and Saviour before this time (see John 1:35-41). What Matthew recorded for us is their call from the Lord to discipleship and apostleship. This call involved the surrender of their lives to the Savior just as it does for believers today. C. The response of Simon Peter and Andrew (Matthew 4:20). This verse says And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. The two brothers responded to Jesus with immediate and decisive obedience. They did not demand more information or a guarantee of success. We are told that they straightway (or immediately) left their nets, and followed him. Very likely they had helpers to whom they turned over their work. This does not necessarily mean they never fished again for profit or that they simply gave away their business investment. It only means that from this point on they became special and regular helpers and learners of the Lord Jesus. Note: For the next three years, Simon and Andrew persevered with Jesus, even as opposition grew more hostile. Their discipleship faltered at times, but it never crumbled in the face of distress. They learned from Jesus how to be fishers of men, and when He returned to heaven, they continued His ministry on earth. Their immediate obedience led to continuing faithfulness as Jesus disciples. The Lord is always looking for the kind of response these two brothers gave Him. However, everyone is not required to go into a so-called full-time ministry. In a very real sense, every believer is to serve the Lord full-time, or all the

11 time. Not everyone is expected to earn their living in the ministry. God needs dedicated followers in the shop, the factory, the school and the business world. D. The call of James and John (Matthew 4:21). This verse says And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. As Jesus continued to walk along the shore, He saw another set of brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother. They were in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets which were probably torn while fishing. When not fishing, fishermen usually spent their time repairing their nets. Then we are told that Jesus called them. The same call went out to these two brothers that had gone out to Peter and Andrew earlier. Again, Jesus summoned these ordinary hardworking men to His service. Jesus sought people of diligence whom He could equip as His disciples. The same character that made them good fishermen would be transformed into commitment to godly ministry or service. We often forget that God does enlist those with ordinary abilities to work in His vineyard. What He wants is willing and dedicated people. E. The response of James and John (Matthew 4:22). This verse says And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. Just as Peter and Andrew had done, James and John immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. How wonderful it would be if men and women today would

12 likewise hear and heed the Savior s call! None of these fishermen offered any excuses (see Luke 14:15-24). They did not ask for time to think about the Savior s invitation to them. With all haste, they left all, the ship and their father and followed the Lord Jesus. Their father s response is not recorded by Matthew. What we may conclude from this is that some are called to stay at home and work faithfully for the Lord while carrying out the necessary duties of life. Note: These four disciples, Andrew Peter, James and John had a special place in the ministry of Christ. Although Andrew is not mentioned often in the Gospels, whenever he appears it is in a significant positive role (see Mark 13:2-4; John 1:40-42; 12:21-23). Simon Peter, James and John formed Jesus inner circle of disciples. They were the only ones who were present at some of the most significant events in Jesus ministry, particularly His transfiguration (see Matthew 17:1-8), and His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (see Matthew 26:36-46). Interestingly, all three men were rough-hewn by nature. Peter was prone to be impetuous and erratic (see Matthew 14:28; 26:33-35; John 18:10-11), while James and John were hot tempered, once wanting to call down fire on a town that had snubbed their Master (see Luke 9:52-54). Nevertheless, Jesus molded them into men of God to whom He could entrust His ministry. He took these fishermen with all of their problems, developed their potential and made them fishers of men. In Jesus hands, the most unlikely people can become powerful forces for God.

13 V. JESUS PREACHING, TEACHING AND HEALING PEOPLE (Matthew 4:23-25) A. The place of Jesus preaching (Matthew 4:23). This verse says And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. As we noted earlier, Jesus had been rejected in Nazareth (see Luke 4:16-30), prompting Him to go to Capernaum and begin His ministry. There He established His home base (see Matthew 4:13), and from there He traveled to all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. The place to gain a hearing by devoted Jews in Palestine was in the synagogues. Here the people gathered to worship God and to be taught the Word of God. Synagogues were built in any place where there were at least ten male Jews who were willing to gather for the purpose of worship. These were the regular customary places of Jewish worship. In the synagogues the Old Testament, divided into suitable portions was read, prayers were offered, and the Scriptures were expounded. The custom was that the one reading the law would stand. Then he sat down as he gave the meaning of what he read (see Luke 4:13-19). This verse says that in the synagogues, Jesus was preaching the gospel of the kingdom. This was the good news about the soon to come kingdom that Jesus came to establish. The basis was repentance (see Matthew 4:17). Not only did Jesus preach the gospel of

14 the kingdom, He was also healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. Jesus works of healing sickness and disease further substantiated His claims of being God in the flesh, Israel s long awaited Messiah (see John 3:2; 11:2-5; 5:36). B. The people Jesus healed (Matthew 4:24). This verse says And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. As a result of His many miracles, this verse says that Jesus fame went throughout all Syria which was the region north of Galilee. His fame was so great that the common people brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments. The word torments refers to severe pains. Even those possessed with devils were brought for deliverance. Devils here would be better translated demons. There is only one devil and he has many wicked angels, or demons to carry out his bidding. The term lunatick speaks of those who had the disease named for the Latin name for the moon Luna. It was thought at one time that those who had this disease were in some way affected by the moon s position. Lunatick is only mentioned in Matthew s Gospel (see Matthew 17:15). Some scholars think that those which were lunatick was what we know as epilepsy. There were also those that had the palsy. The word palsy was used to describe a number of illnesses. They all seemed to be related to some sort of paralysis and shrinking

15 of the parts of the body that were affected. The last part of this verse says and he healed them meaning Jesus healed everyone that was brought to Him. Note: Three particular diseases are specified here; the palsy, which is the greatest weakness of the body; lunatick or lunacy, which is the greatest sickness of the mind, and the possession of the Devil which is the greatest misery and calamity of both the body and the mind. Yet Christ healed all because He is the sovereign Physician of both soul and body, and has command of all diseases. Certainly, Jesus forgives all our iniquities and heals all our diseases (see Psalms 103:2-4). C. The following Jesus had (Matthew 4:25). Our final verse says And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan. Wherever Jesus went as Matthew writes, there followed him great multitudes of people. Many in those crowds followed him because they wanted deliverance. Many others probably did so because they were curious, always looking for another thrilling adventure. Matthew then lists some of the places that the crowds came from to follow Jesus. Of course by now we know that Galilee was the region in northern Israel that included Capernaum. Decapolis was almost completely on the east side of the Jordan River. This area is given the name Decapolis because of the ten cities that were included in the territory. In Greek Decapolis means ten cities. But the cities in the land of Decapolis were filled with non-jews, Greeks in

16 particular. Therefore, not only Jews were attracted to Jesus because of His miracles and teaching but Gentiles also. Many Jews also came to follow Jesus from Jerusalem, and Judaea, which was the southern part of Israel that included Jerusalem. People also came from beyond Jordan probably the area of Perea which means Transjordan or beyond Jordan. Certainly, popularity was not Jesus reason for His earthly ministry, but word about His ministry spreading through the countryside had a significant impact on His work. VI. Conclusion. Seven hundred years earlier, the Prophet Isaiah prophesied that the northern tribes of Galilee, Zebulun and Naphtali would see a great light (see Isaiah 9:1-2). The region of Israel that had suffered most from foreign invaders in the Old Testament would be the first to hear the Messiah. This prophecy was fulfilled in the early ministry of Jesus Christ as He taught and healed many who followed Him. ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press Sunday School Curriculum***