Jesus begins his ministry, chooses Apostles
Bible Accent: Jobs mentioned in the Gospel
Saint for Today: St. John the Almsgiver
Puzzle
Jesus begins his ministry, chooses Apostles
Jesus was exhausted. He had been baptized by John and then he spent forty days and forty nights in the desert, during which time he was tempted by the devil. He defeated the devil by quoting the scriptures and by having faith in God his father.
After he had heard that John the Baptist had been arrested, Jesus went to Galilee. He found a place to live in Capernaum, which was near the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. At the same time he began to preach a message everywhere he went. He would say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
By starting his ministry from this place, Jesus fulfilled a prophecy of Isaiah, which said, “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.”
On a quiet afternoon, Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee and he saw two men casting their fishing nets into the water. He found out they were brothers, and their names were Simon and Andrew. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Although the two brothers supported their families by fishing, they both immediately left their nets and went with Jesus.
As Jesus continued walking, now joined by Simon and Andrew, he saw two other men in a boat mending their nets. Their names were James and John. They were also brothers, the sons of a man named Zebedee. Jesus gave them the same invitation he gave to Simon and Andrew, and they, too, left their work to follow Jesus. Jesus now had four friends he knew he could trust to help him, and he taught them what they would have to do in order to be his followers. Eventually he would choose other men, until there were twelve.
Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching and healing people who sick of many different diseases and injuries. People would bring others to him to be healed. From Galilee to Judea and to Jerusalem they came too hear Jesus and to be healed by him.
READ MORE ABOUT IT:
Matthew 4
Q&A
1. What was the message Jesus preached when he started his ministry?
2. Why did so many people come to see Jesus?
Bible Accent: Jobs mentioned in the Gospel
Peter and Andrew, two of the first apostles chosen by Jesus, were fishermen, but there were other trades and occupations that were important during New Testament times as well. Most clothing was made from the wool of sheep, because it was cheaper and easier for the people to obtain. The raw wool had to be washed, spun and woven in order to be useful. Pottery was made form the clay of the area, and was formed and cut by hand before being fired. Masons used bricks and limestone blocks to build temples and other important buildings. Carpenters, such as Joseph the earthly father of Jesus, built things out of wood using chisels, saws and planes. Carpenters were important to fishermen, because they built the boats they fished in.
Saint for Today: St. John the Almsgiver
John the Almsgiver (550 – 619) experienced a number of tragedies in his life. He outlived his wife and all of his children. He was fortunate in that he was a very wealthy man, so he shared his money with the poor and needy people of the community. When he was appointed to the patriarchal chair of Alexander, he ordered a census of the people he called his master. When he was asked who these masters were, he said he meant the poor, because they had such power in the court of heaven to help those who had helped them on earth. The number counted was close to 7500 people. He used his authority to protect these people from oppression. Twice a week he would sit on a bench by the church where anyone who wanted to could approach him with questions and petitions. He devoted his life to protecting the poor and vulnerable. We honor him on January 23.
Puzzle
