March 05, 2012
The temptation/desert time for Jesus was over—and His ministry began. He first went to Galilee which fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 9:1–2. Then He began to preach. His first message was the same as the prophets in the Old Testament. "Change you hearts and lives" the kingdom of heaven is near. Change! The message is the same as Ezekiel 18:30–32. We must ALL change our hearts and lives, and get a new way of thinking. Someday I want to do a study on all the "change your hearts" in the Bible. It cannot be just an outward surface change. No, it has to be a change of heart and mind, a new way of thinking and a new way of living. That only happens with a heart change.
It is significant that the very first words Jesus spoke in his ministry was the same message as the prophets in the Old Testament. Jesus started with what was most important. Matthew 4:17 - "Change your hearts and lives because the kingdom of heaven is near."
Jesus began to choose His followers. He said to Simon Peter and Andrew, "Come follow me," and they immediately left their nets and followed Him. They were fishermen, but now they were to be fishers-of-men. Then Jesus called James and John, "Come follow me," and they immediately left what they were doing and followed Him.
When Jesus calls it requires a response, and the response should be immediate. Jesus went throughout Galilee preaching the "Good News" about the kingdom of heaven. The "Good News" requires a change of heart and mind. He healed diseases and sicknesses, and the news of Jesus spread. Soon many people were following Him.
Why did so many people follow Him? Were they following Him for what He could do for them? Or, were they following Him because of who He was? Why do we follow Him? Are we following Him for the right reason?
Next Entry: Matthew 5:1–48
The temptation/desert time for Jesus was over—and His ministry began. He first went to Galilee which fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 9:1–2. Then He began to preach. His first message was the same as the prophets in the Old Testament. "Change you hearts and lives" the kingdom of heaven is near. Change! The message is the same as Ezekiel 18:30–32. We must ALL change our hearts and lives, and get a new way of thinking. Someday I want to do a study on all the "change your hearts" in the Bible. It cannot be just an outward surface change. No, it has to be a change of heart and mind, a new way of thinking and a new way of living. That only happens with a heart change.
It is significant that the very first words Jesus spoke in his ministry was the same message as the prophets in the Old Testament. Jesus started with what was most important. Matthew 4:17 - "Change your hearts and lives because the kingdom of heaven is near."
Jesus began to choose His followers. He said to Simon Peter and Andrew, "Come follow me," and they immediately left their nets and followed Him. They were fishermen, but now they were to be fishers-of-men. Then Jesus called James and John, "Come follow me," and they immediately left what they were doing and followed Him.
When Jesus calls it requires a response, and the response should be immediate. Jesus went throughout Galilee preaching the "Good News" about the kingdom of heaven. The "Good News" requires a change of heart and mind. He healed diseases and sicknesses, and the news of Jesus spread. Soon many people were following Him.
Why did so many people follow Him? Were they following Him for what He could do for them? Or, were they following Him because of who He was? Why do we follow Him? Are we following Him for the right reason?
Next Entry: Matthew 5:1–48
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