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Reading through the Gospels 39

Mark 1:14-15 Matthew 4:12-17, Luke 4:14-15, and John 4:43-46a

Mark 1:14-15 Matthew 4:12-17, Luke 4:14-15, and John 4:43-46a  JESUS BEGINS HIS MINISTRY

John the Baptist was imprisoned and Jesus went from Jerusalem to Galilee proclaiming the Good News. Now that John's voice was impeded, Jesus began his ministry and proclaimed to carry forward what John started.  I find it interesting that this Bible verse references the "Gospel of God."  I always think of the Good News as Jesus dying on the cross, but as a trinity, it is God and it was the plan of the Father.  Jesus proclaims in Galilee, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." The time fulfilled was the time as in the old testament prophesies for Jesus's death and resurrection. Maybe someday I will hear "the time is fulfilled" regarding the prophesies of Jesus coming again. To 'repent and believe' is how simple God makes it for us.

 

In Matthew, we read that Jesus also went "And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali," so that Isaiah's prophesy  (Isaiah 9:1,2) would be fulfilled. Nazareth was Jesus's hometown. Jesus moved to Capernaum. Zebulun and Naphtali, the territory of Capernaum, were two of the original 12 tribes of Israel.

 

In John 4:44, we read that the reason Jesus left Nazareth is that a prophet has no honor in his hometown.  In the place where Jesus grew up, the people knew Him as a child and had grown accustom to His presence.  Sometimes those we are closest to are the ones that take us for granted and do not give the respect deserved.  To gain respect from these people, they must see others respecting first. Famous people rarely become famous in their hometown, but rather they venture out, become famous, and then the hometown sees that popularity, is proud of it, and joins in supporting. I can imagine some saying "I always knew. . ." We know that the person has it in him/her, but we are helpless to help make it happen for them. The people in Nazareth probably knew about Jesus. (Also, Mark 6:1-6a)

Copyright Cheryl Rutledge-Brennecke
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