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Matthew 4:18-22 Jesus Calls the First Disciples 18 While
walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers
of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee
their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. [1]
The simple words “follow me” is what called the disciples into action. But was it just the word? I think not. I do believe the power of the Holy Spirit was upon Jesus and this with His words “follow
me” brought them into action. We cannot discount the power of the Holy Spirit. I pray: O Lord, while you have not called me like you called
the disciples, you have called me into the faith. You have personally called me into the ministry through “the call” process of the church. Help me to serve you and to follow you. Amen.
Matthew 4:12–17 (ESV) Jesus Begins His Ministry 12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali,
14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them
a light has dawned.” 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Isaiah described the sinful state of this world: people walking in darkness and the shadow of death, unable to find their way and lacking the ability to help themselves. Into this black hole comes Jesus, the light of the world.
His great light shines first in Galilee, where He calls disciples, teaches, preaches, and heals. His great light continues to shine in our darkness. The good news of God’s reign continues to be sounded in Word and Sacrament. To sinful, hurting people,
Jesus gives life, hope, and deliverance. I pray: May Your light shine in us as we share Your Gospel with the world,
O Christ, our light. Shine on us and through us. Amen.
Matthew 4:8-11 The Temptation of Jesus 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
“ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ” 11 Then
the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. [1] Jesus’ third quotation of Scripture was from a passage where, with similar words, Moses admonished Israel to fear and serve the Lord rather than idols when they entered the Promised Land. If Jesus had worshiped the devil and rejected the way of
the cross, He might well have gained earthly glory for Himself.[2] Also, notice that at the end of the temptations, the devil left him… but Luke states in his Gospel: “13
When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” [3] I
pray: O Lord, help me to study your Word and to use it against the devil. Amen.
Matthew 4:5-7 2nd Temptation 5 Then
the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
“ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “ ‘On their hands
they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him,
“Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” The
devil sought to overthrow Jesus’ previous use of Scripture by quoting a psalm in which God promises to command His angels to protect those who trust in Him (though significantly Satan omitted the phrase “in all your ways”). Satan misquotes
Scripture and Jesus quotes Scripture back correctly. I pray: O Lord, help me to study your Word so that I can discern what is your Word and what
isn’t. Amen.
Matthew 4:2–4 (ESV) The Temptation of Jesus 2 And
after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But
he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth
of God.’ ” Here, Jesus quoted Moses’ explanation to Israel of why God had let them hunger in the wilderness. Life does not depend on food
alone but on the Word of God. Jesus did not exhibit His own glory by performing a miracle but displayed trust in the Word of His Father.[1] I pray: O Lord, I love your Word and the spiritual food it gives me. Help me to always hunger for your Word. Amen.
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