Matthew 4:13-19 ~ the Way

Capernaum

Matthew 4:13-19

13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—

 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 

16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 

17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said

Capernaum

Jesus started out collecting His Disciples. And Jesus overcame Life and Death, to go and collect His Disciples. A very perfect Circle.

Jesus is making a way, Truth and Life.  Jesus settles in Capernaum - not Tribe of Judah lands.
Jesus is making all things new.


John 21 Wonderful to know after Holy Easter.

After Family Easter. After a busy week. Jesus making Breakfast at the Sea of Galilee. Where Peter got in and swam to Jesus and then in the most Amazing thing ever shown to mankind - the Disciples squabbled.

Even God shows us continually Holiday after effect - even the Transfiguration Mountain had an after effect let down, where Jesus found the Disciples are Squabbling again.

Capernaum

Telling us we need Jesus. The Bible is Real. God has so much good patience and Love for us.


Seeing the Sea of Galilee shoreline, wouldn't you picture it being dramatically deep? Not portions where a robe would have mud and knees would be muddy.

Capernaum

God took the 13 mile Lake we call the Sea of Galilee and made real life. Golden sunsets are going to be less evident due to work done on the Shore Line like John 21. The Sea of Galilee has been a working lake. In Progress.

Even the Jesus Boat was found during work and horrible draught - forcing construction people to go to the old ways - fishing. God is in charge. God is above all our circumstances. God is Teaching His people.

We have to trust, if we are a Child of God in any situation, that good Bible advice is good. We have to be able to say to worry, "That's enough now." Doing the right thing - nourishes - your soul - your soul is the only part of you where you have real estate in eternity. Your brain is not going to survive death and go on.

David knew about hard circumstances. And in effect, David said this, "You can't control the weather in your life, but you can dance in the 'reign'."

The New Testament says to have faith. Jesus said Always Pray with Hope. Jesus said know the Scriptures, know the Power of God.

Easter is the perfect time to say that again.

Matthew Chapter 28, Verse 29 b.

Jesus said, "Know the Scriptures, Know the Power of God.

Luke 18, first verse a

1 And Jesus told them they ought always to pray and not lose heart

We can't change the weather easily. God's Will is His. Thank God. We can Trust God in the storms. Believe in God's Power and Authority. God's Love. God's Mercy.

David and Father God have given us good advice about dancing in all weather.

Psalm 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

To follow Jesus with Awe and Wonder. To find His Love. To understand His Measure and see His Exact Representation in Jesus.

Our goal is our footprints leave Goodness and Mercy. Our actions please us and please God. This is a good purpose.

Let us live the Circle unbroken.

Jesus began calling His Disciples close to Him. He did this again in the Resurrection.

Jesus knew the world around Him would provide what Jesus calls "Trouble", Jesus had the endurance and faith to overcome. We see Jesus had squabbles with His Family during their advice to Him to go to the Festival. In the Transfiguration and Even Easter.

Jesus is about Love, Faith and Joy in Overcoming.


Luke 2 presents a Circle.

Simeon - this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

We find Easter has pierced the soul of many with Jesus' death on the cross. Many hearts were revealed on Good Friday.

And in Jesus Overcoming, we find:

Peace, According to the Power of God's Word

Our eyes have witnessed salvation as eyes of faith

John 14 tells us Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us forever with God's own Kingdom.

And as we study the changes in mankind - we find a Light has shown to His Glory.

Abba,

Help us to stay on Your Path. On Your Path we know Jesus is with us. We ask for ourselves and the ones we love. Guide us and lead us. Empower and protect us. Encourage and sustain us. Let us have Your Joy within us. To place our Hope in You. To be glad for Your protection.

Help those in Need especially from illness. Comfort those in affliction with Your Help and Works. 

Bless our neighborhoods, jobs, Churches. Our nation and the people of faith around the World. Help us to know Jesus is our Good Foundation. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †