The King’s Work | Matthew 4:23-25

Scripture

• Matthew 4:23–25

About this sermon

Introduction: Jesus has selected four of His disciples. He has called them to a full-time apprenticeship. He has told them that He will make them (AND THE REST OF HIS DISCIPLES) fishers of men. Following that account, in this section we have a description of where Jesus went, what Jesus did, and who Jesus was influencing. Why this brief description of His work? What helps us understand that is to see that it forms one half of a bracket. This section is basically repeated (not word for word, but the same substance) at the end of the 9th chapter. ESV Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." The same elements noted in our verses are repeated there. JESUS TAUGHT JESUS PREACHED JESUS PERFORMED MIRACLES WE ARE TOLD WHERE JESUS WENT AND HOW THE PEOPLE RESPONDED But what is additional in those verses is a description of the heart of Jesus toward the crowds, and the need for laborers in the field — a field ready for harvest. (vs.36-38). What is interesting is that between these two brackets you have two extended descriptions of Jesus’ work in each of those areas. THE TEACHING AND PREACHING MINISTRY OF JESUS (chapters 5-7) THE MIRACLE WORKING POWER OF JESUS (chapters 8-9) HE CALLS DISCIPLES, HIS WORK IS SUMMARIZED, HIS WORK IS FURTHER EXPLAINED (expanded upon) OVER TWO CHAPTERS, HIS WORK IS SUMMARIZED AGAIN, THE WORK OF HIS DISCIPLES IS EMPHASIZED. WHEN YOU GET TO CHAPTER 10, HE SENDS HIS DISCIPLES OUT ON THEIR OWN FOR AN EARLY EXPERIENCE OF THE APOSTOLIC WORK OF MINISTRY. This is not only the work of Jesus, but He is preparing them for their future work. So, this summary belongs to something larger that Matthew is communicating. ONE THING MATTHEW IS COMMUNICATING IS THAT THIS WAS NO ORDINARY WORK OF MINISTRY. What is seen in Jesus in these two areas of ministry testified to His unique identity. TEACHING — HE TAUGHT UNLIKE ANYONE BEFORE HIM ESV Matthew 7:28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. ESV John 7:45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?" 46 The officers answered, "No one ever spoke like this man!" 47 The Pharisees answered them, "Have you also been deceived? 48 Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed." MIRACLES — HE DID WHAT DEMANDED FAITH IN HIM AS MESSIAH ESV Matthew 11:4 And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. ESV John 11:47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." We will look at this opening summary in a very simple way — under five headings. (1) Where Jesus went (2) What Jesus said (3) What Jesus did (4) Who Jesus influenced (5) What Matthew wanted us to see. • WHERE JESUS WENT (vs.23a) The light dawns in Galilee of the Gentiles. This where the public ministry of Jesus, after the ministry of John the Baptist, will be concentrated. The light of the world. The light of life. The light of salvation. Is now shining. He has a strategy, it seems. This very same strategy will be employed by the apostles in the earliest time of evangelism. That strategy is to bring the message to the synagogues. Galilee was a small district. Approximately 70 miles by 40. According to Josephus there were about 200 cities and villages. In almost all these cities and villages there would have been a synagogue. Most believe that the synagogue came into being during the Babylonian captivity, and never went away. The temple, though still the center for sacrificial worship, was too far away for many Jewish people to attend, so the synagogue became the central location for worship. It was the place in Jewish life where religion and community came together. It was the place of public worship on the Sabbath. It was the place of education for young men. It was the place where laws were discussed and adjudicated among the Jews in each of those communities. And it was customary for visiting rabbis to be given the opportunity to instruct.