Jesus Blood Shed For You and I - Part 562

"Follow Me" Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19)

Jesus never just "passes by" in the scriptures. Indeed, Jesus has an impact. In Matthew chapter four, we read that beyond the multiplicity of miracles and healings that were performed, those individuals which had previously sat in darkness -- completely empty and broken without any hope or joy in this world -- saw in Jesus a great light. In fact, for those individuals and families which had previously sat in darkness, Jesus' abundant light was springing up in their hearts. Bubbling with happiness and joy. It is no wonder the multitudes of people, as Matthew 4 explains, wanted more of Jesus.

Here they were discovering that the more they desired Jesus -- the more that they pressed closer to the King of kings and Lord of lords - the more their individual lives were being transformed. All Jesus had to say was "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." As we see from the examples cited, Jesus did not have to ask twice.

Jesus had been preaching, encouraging the crowds of people who followed Him to repent, "for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." When Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw two brethren fishing. The first was Simon called Peter and the second Andrew his brother. When Jesus happened their way, the two were casting their net into the sea. Jesus said unto them, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." And the two fishers straight way left their nets and followed Jesus. Simon called Peter and Andrew were not the only ones to follow Jesus.

Going on from thence, Jesus saw two other brethren, James the son of Zebedee and John His brother repairing nets in a ship with their father. And Jesus called unto them. They too immediately left their ship and followed Him. Immediately and straight way. Followed Jesus without hesitation. Follow Jeus - the one who holds the keys to the kingdom. Follow me, He said so that you too can delight in His Word, His mercies and abundant grace.

But the goodness of Jesus did not stop there. While His fame went throughout all Syria. Jesus continued teaching in the synagogues in Galilee  and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, He was also healing all manner of sickness and disease among the people. "Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven."

And as Jesus preached the gospel, the people brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with diverse diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils and those which were lunatick and those that had the palsy and Jesus healed them. Jesus healed each and every one of them. And there followed Jesus great multitudes of people who recognized that their hope and joy was in Jesus. That there is no other name under heaven whereby we can be saved. Jesus -- the only mediator between God and man.

The multitudes of people recognized Jesus as the Messiah. That Jesus was the Christ prophesied by the prophets under the old covenant. David said in Psalms 23:6, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." It is no wonder the people were determined to follow Him. To dwell in the house of the Lord Jesus forever. Jesus said, "If any man serve me, let him follow me, and where I am, there shall also my servant be. If any man serves me, him will my Father honour." (John 12:26)

You see, God loved us so much that He prepared a way of salvation even before the foundations of the world were formed.  God's Word -- the very Word of God -- became flesh so that the whole world could return to the place where we who were made in the image of God could become all that we were intended to be. Perfected in Jesus. God was making a way when there was no way for us to be saved. He knew that we could not meet the letter of the law, and as such we were doomed. But God wasn't going to let that happen. Because His love for us is abundant. He wants to draw us closer to understanding His will through Christ, our Lord God and Saviour.

This is why Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me." Rejoice in Jesus today. His love and mercy. Remember too that Jesus wants to give you and I -- believers in Jesus that desire and love Him -- the kingdom. Stand in the offering plate.