Jesus Makes Fishers of Men
Matthew 4:12-25
Purpose: To be a true disciple of Jesus, calling others to follow Him!
- Jesus the King's Inaugural Message
Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; 13 and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
15 "THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI,
BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, BEYOND THE JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES
16 "THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT,
AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH,
UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED."
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Jesus begins His ministry in Capernaum
FULFILLMENT: Isaiah 9:1-2; 60:1-3
Jesus is the Light for the nations in Galilee of the Gentiles
"From that time Jesus began to preach and say,
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" (v. 17)
This is the first and central focus of Jesus's teaching! = Repent
The King's impartial judgment: Compare with Luke 13:1-5
Luke 13:1 Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? 3 "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 "Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 5 "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
- Jesus the King Employs His Followers
Matthew 4:18 Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 21 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. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.
Peter and Andrew, James and John
"Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (v. 19)
The first Disciples of Jesus (see ch. 10 for the call of the 12 Apostles)
- Jesus the King Who Preaches, Teaches, and Heals
Matthew 4:23 Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. 24 The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. 25 Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.
He goes to the synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom
The ill were brought to Jesus, large crowds followed Him
Have you heard the King's message?
Have you learned the King's teachings?
Have you been healed by the King?