Note for 20250526

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

According to Matthew

Part 122 - Mat 4 - Follow Me

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The House of Bread · Note for 20250526 - The Gospel of Jesus Christ - Part 122 - Mat 4 - Follow Me

Matthew 4:12-25 KJV

[12] Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; [13] and leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: [14] that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, [15] The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, By the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; [16] The people which sat in darkness Saw great light; And to them which sat in the region and shadow of death Light is sprung up. [17] From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. [18] And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. [19] And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. [20] And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. [21] And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. [22] And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. [23] And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. [24] And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. [25] And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judæa, and from beyond Jordan.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.4.12-25.KJV

Follow Me.

Matthew skips a bit of the information surrounding the calling the disciples, but we learn that from other Gospels which we have read. He does however go into the areas in which Jesus preached for His ministry that the Kingdom of GOD is at Hand, fulfilling prophecy as He went along. We remember again how Jesus answered his mother at the wedding feast, that it was not yet His time, nonetheless, turning water into wine. This essentially launches the ministry of Jesus Christ and the miracles He performed among mankind.

The thing that is highlighted to me today is the matter of following Jesus Christ. These disciples left everything they knew behind to follow Christ. I once heard a minister speak on how it was how disciples were called back in those times. Remember, the Rabbi's (teachers) had disciples too. This practice is still alive today, though it does not necessarily mean they physically live with the Rabbi today any more. The disciples are called Talmidim (students) and pertains to the embodiment of the rabbi's understanding of Jewish law (Torah) and way of life. In other words, to become like the Rabbi. So there is more than just taking in information, it requires the essence of the understanding of what is learned and the application of that knowledge, which is of course, wisdom, according to the modern definition of the word. So, it was not unusual that rabbi's would call students, however, it is also about who Jesus called to follow Him. These were everyday people, not students at the synagogue. Some would have said he called sinners. We learned from the Bible that Saul (now known to us as Paul) was an exemplary student of the Pharisees.

With all of this in mind, consider how we are called today. I have spoken about it before, how I was called in the morning hours while I was sleeping. The Lord called me to come to Him, so I rose from my bed around 3am in the morning and waited on the Lord. I was called by the name Mispah (Watchtower) though I didn't know the meaning of that word at the time. Now that is just the method in which I was called, and since then, every morning I rise and wait on the Lord, which launched this ministry I do here.

The message is still the same now as then, that the Kingdom of GOD is at hand. That it is near.

Matthew 20:16 KJV

[16] So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.20.16.KJV

Follow me, was a term that was used to be called. The saying itself would not have been strange at the time of Christ,and it was indeed an honour to be called to follow a rabbi. From there there would have been a separation from ordinary life, and following this Rabbi for the embodiment process that we learned of today. Separation was a part of it, which is the root word of Nazareth and also an element of the word, "holy." This I mentioned as we remember this following scripture that we looked at before.

1 Peter 1:13-16 KJV

[13] Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; [14] as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: [15] but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1pe.1.13-16.KJV

This from Peter, one of these we read of today that was first called by Jesus Christ, and note the element of a transformation of how things are done, which is in the nature of an embodiment of the Words and Life of Jesus Christ. What process then starts when we begin to follow Jesus Christ? Are you called to be a "student" or just to walk in that general direction without any form of study and transformation?

It does make a person think about how things are done these days, doesn't it?

John 10:27-30 KJV

[27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: [28] and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. [29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. [30] I and my Father are one.

https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.10.27-30.KJV

What do these words mean to you now? Or maybe I should ask, do you think there is a requirement of study then? What is it to go through a process where the Word of GOD is in you, that you might be one with Christ? You see, this is what the enemy does not want you to know, and this is what many do not want to hear. When you follow Christ, there are things you need to leave behind. It cannot come with. This world will seek to keep you overly busy with all things of worldly cares, to prevent this process. Maybe now you will understand the big budget approach of Hollywood. There are many things that prevent a person or make it cumbersome to pick up your cross and follow Him. There is indeed a sacrifice involved in laying down the things of this world. Who is called and who is chosen? Are they chosen before they are called, or were the twelve chosen later? Here we read of the multitudes that followed Jesus Christ, but I ask you, what did they want more than healing and to be set free from demons?

What does the term, "follow me" mean to you now? What about the separation, or "to come out of her?" Many are called, but few are chosen. The first will be the last and the last the first. Or are we still into our faith just for what we can gain from it?

Selah, Shalom

The House of Bread

(NOTE: If You feel that you want more, please take note that this here is basically just the notes for the Audio version of the Note. There is much more in the Audio and Video Versions of the Daily Notes)

Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App

Galatians 4:7 KJV

[7] Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

https://bible.com/bible/1/gal.4.7.KJV

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