It is easy to read these thirteen verses and only note the calling of the disciples. In today’s text there is much more.
Matthew continues to draw us into Jesus’ story—the story of the Father’s heart to have his family together.
So far, Matthew has recorded few words from Jesus’ own lips. That will change dramatically in the next chapter.
Today, even with few words, four aspects of Jesus’ ministry emerge:
1. Where He Starts.
2. His message of salvation is global.
3. His message of salvation is personal.
4. His method of sharing his message is timeless.
Where He Starts
Geography can reveal much. Verses 12-13 highlight Jesus moving from his hometown. When you move, especially to start a new phase of life, there are many considerations.
Galilee was north of Jerusalem. A very different place. The people who lived south, in Judea, considered themselves the “real Jews”. Folks from Galilee were in their minds spiritually second class.
Jesus, as he weighs all the various aspects of where he should start his ministry, he goes not to the heavy-weight religious center of his day, instead he sets up shop in one of weightiest business centers of his world.
Why do I say this? The Province of Galilee is recorded as having 204 villages, each with a population of no less than 15,000 people—with these 3,000,000 individuals all squeezed into a patch of land about 25 miles wide and 50 miles long. (Green, The Bible Speaks Today, p.85).
Why were there so many people? Galilee is set along an ancient trade route. To further set the stage, up until about the second century B.C., it had been under Greek (Pagan) influence.
In all, it is a bustling place.
Jesus starts his ministry in the middle diverse center of commerce.
His Message of Salvation is Global
It is not just where he starts that draws attention to his global mission. In verses 14-17 Matthew draws on prophecy to point out how this Jewish Messiah starts his ministry among of diverse population. (Diversity for Jews was simple: there were Jews and everyone else (Gentiles)).
Certainly the Jewish people of Galilee were attracted to Jesus. But when the text notes in verse 24 that his fame spread throughout all of Syria. I have to think people who were sick, Jew and Gentile, came to him. The text says he served all of them.
Jesus, while establishing himself as the fulfillment of the Jewish Messiah, makes clear the message of salvation is for all.
His Message of Salvation is Individual
In the middle of all this, we have this snippet of Jesus calling his disciples. His words are few, but powerful.
Note the invitation is personal—to each person one at a time.
While God knows who will receive him, and who will reject him—the offer is made to each of us.
For more on this remarkable moment, you can click here.
His Method of Sharing this Message is Timeless
His message starts where John the Baptist, indeed of all the prophets, left off – REPENT – return to God!
His primary audience were the Jews. He must clearly demonstrate he is the long-awaited promised Messiah. The one whom will make Abraham the Father of many nations.
His Method was threefold.
1. He preached in the synagogue.
2. He taught the people.
3. He healed those in distress.
Jesus started in a location and manner which makes it clear—He is for the world.
Do you feel like Jesus is exclusive? How about your church? If you answered yes to either, does this text change your mind? How might you make Jesus known to more people?