Jesus Is Calling – Will You Take The Call Series

Matthew 4: 23 – 25

Jesus Is Calling – Will You Take The Call

23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. 25 Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.

There was another Gospel written after Matthew wrote down this event. The disciple Mark recorded this same situation. Later the disciple Luke also penned this unique miracle of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, let’s see what they say and then compare all three to gather more information.

Now please remember that Matthew was probably there when these things happened. In addition, although Mark probably wasn’t there, his step father in the faith, Peter, was there and witnessed the very things that our Lord said and did. Luke wasn’t there with our Lord but later came back to Jerusalem and interviewed those who were there when these things occurred. So, let’s see what all three have in common and are different.

Luke 4: 42 – 44, “42 Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; 43 but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” 44 And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

Mark 1: 35 – 39, “35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. 37 When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” 38 But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” 39 And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.

Peter and Matthew were there throughout our Lord’s earthly ministry and often observed our Lord slipping away. He knew from personal observation why our Lord did this. Our Lord wanted some quality time alone with Adoni Yahweh, His and our - Father God. Peter comments that “35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.’

Our Great God has given us something to spend each day. Do you know what it is? It is time. He has given us 24 hours in which to spend. You can’t save any time and you can’t borrow any time. Yet, many of us try. Now, like an old watch, we need to be re-wound each day. We get our clocks energized by sleep. To a large degree this act requires 8 hours. Some people try to take short cuts on this necessary action and in one way or another will pay the price, either in emotional or physical problems.

So, out of 24 we take 8 hours. Now we have 16 hours in which to invest. Oh, I forgot to mention another thing. Because of the curse our ancestor Adam caused, we have to work. Many people when they do their day timer, just write in 8 hours for work. They are missing some things, like travel to and from work. So, a very reasonable guess is to put down 10 hours.

Oh, wow, let’s see 8 plus 10 is 18 minus 24. I ran out of fingers and toes. Oh, yes, the answer is that we now have a total of 6 hours in which to use.

If you are married and have kids then this is all that you have left in a day to spend with them.

A more important thing to think about is ‘what about spending time with the Lord.?’ How do we set aside any time in which to be with the One Whom we say we love.

Our Lord Jesus knew the right priorities. The first thing and early in the morning He valued and set aside the time to fellowship with The Father.

Sure we are down to 6 hours in which we need to accomplish a lot. However, our Lord counsels us on how we can accomplish everything and get the most out of every relationship. He says in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 4, “32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.’