Day 8 - Matthew 4:12-25

12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee.13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:

15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
    beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
    in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
16 the people who sat in darkness
    have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
    a light has shined.”

17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.

21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too.22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.

²³ Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. ²⁴ News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. ²⁵ Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.

Terrie's Comments:

I wonder what these men saw in Jesus that they just left everything and followed him?  It doesn't say that they even asked any questions.  Blind faith.

Jesus was preaching a message of repentance, teaching about fulfillment of the prophecies in scriptures and announcing that they were about to be fulfilled.  He also was healing EVERY kind of disease, illness, casting out demons, delivering those from epilepsy and healing the paralyzed.  It didn't matter what they sickness, disease or oppression Jesus took care of it.  He is Jehovah Rapha still... It is in the nature of God to heal.

Tori's Comments:

That last bit of the passage from Isaiah speaks so much hope! And that is what we have been given!
When you think of this material world compared with the Kingdom of God Jesus preaches, the Kingdom was enough for the disciples to leave EVERYTHING they had a claim to in this world- from their livelihood to their family.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!