14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Jesus’ ministry started with a bang. He immediately declared that the kingdom that Israel had been waiting for had arrived and that they needed to respond with repentance and belief. To receive the gift of the kingdom of God, one must repent or turn away from your current object of trust (your self), and to place your trust (belief, faith) completely in the one who came to save, Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
This is seen in the four fishermen that Jesus calls. They immediately turn away from their old way of life and follow Jesus in response to His call. Jesus’ disciples would live with Him and learn from Him and ultimately be released to do His ministry in sharing the gospel and fishing for men. Discipleship is the expected response after belief in the gospel. If you have believed, are you now following Jesus in a life of learning from Him?
When Jesus began His teaching ministry, everyone recognised that He spoke with an authority that was unlike the scribes and even the unclean spirits obeyed Him. His fame quickly spread throughout the region.
Most people recognise that Jesus is an incredibly unique person in all history. Many acknowledge that He taught amazing truths backed by an amazing life. Few people are prepared to believe that He is who He said He is and believe in Him for salvation. Unfortunately, even less are prepare to actually follow His teachings as disciples day to day. Where do you find yourself in your response to Jesus?