Woodlawn CC

Woodlawn CC

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Matthew 4:12-23, Sermon given Sunday, January 26, 2020


Last Sunday, we took a look at the very beginning of Jesus' ministry as told in Matthew's Gospel.  I brought to attention the often focused upon point of being 'fishers of men'.  But, we need to look at what type of fishermen these rough souls were... they did not fish with a cast line and a specific lure or bait.  They were not focusing on one type of fish, no they threw their nets out wide and reached out to all the fish within the limitation of the size of their net.

We too are called to cast our nets wide.  Reaching out to any and all that might respond to the story of love, grace, and forgiveness that is portrayed by the cross.  Let us cast wide and fish for all men and women... it's what we're called to do...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Glory,
Roy

Matthew 4:12-23 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee
12 Now when Jesus[a] heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15 “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
    on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people who sat in darkness
    have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
    light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”[b]

Jesus Calls the First Disciples
18 As he walked 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. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People
23 Jesus[c] went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news[d] of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

Footnotes:
a) Matthew 4:12 Gk he
b) Matthew 4:17 Or is at hand
c) Matthew 4:23 Gk He
d) Matthew 4:23 Gk gospel


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