"'Come, follow me,' Jesus said..." — Mat 4:19 (NIV)
Thus began the ministry of Jesus. Jesus heard about the imprisonment of John the Baptist and withdrew to Galilee. Withdraw means to go back, not forward but backward. But it was for the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah. “The land of Zebulun Naphtali, Galilee of the Gentiles” - the weak who seems abandoned. To those living in the darkness - the shadow of death, in the dark of dismay a light has dawned. How bright the light was!
”Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near" Jesus began to preach. It was the beginning of his public life. He called Peter, Andrew, James, and John who were working at lake Galilee. ”Follow me" They were invited to the personal relationship with Jesus. They immediately left their nets and followed, throwing away their work, their families, and their daily lives.
Can I do this? Even if it's not such a big thing, there are promptings from God in everyday small situations. I would like to put my plans and thoughts aside, trust God's promises, and follow his promptings.
Reflection on Matthew 4:12-25 by Machiko Nakamura
(Listen to the Podcast here)
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