Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

 Matthew 4:12-22

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:1-2)

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

John is put in prison. Jesus, when he hears the news, travels north in what may be a tactical withdrawal. Matthew sees in this the fulfillment of another Old Testament prophecy.

Jesus has left his home-town of Nazareth. Now, for the whole of his ministry in Galilee, his base will be the lakeside town of Capernaum. Here he calls his first disciples and begins his public ministry: travelling all over the teach, 'proclaim the good news of the kingdom' and heal the sick.

Why?

Seem Jesus knew it is the time he should go out for his mission and left Nazareth.

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near: Repent, for our sins and the kingdom of heaven has come near. Jesus gives us the way to heaven. 

Jesus calls his disciples with come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people. And Peter and Andrew and James, John, they were fishermen, soon come with Jesus Christ.

At once they left their nets. It is difficult for most people left their regular living style to living a new life, a new job. It seems simple but it is difficult for most people.

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耶穌退到加百農，拿撒勒是比較小的地方。施洗約翰似乎是福音的挫敗，卻成就了以賽亞書的預言。這都是神的佈局。西布侖、拿弗他利被亞述摧毀而荒涼，世人以為是興起一個朝代，卻是神所預言的，最早聽見福音。死蔭的百姓看到大光。任何事情都朝著神的旨意，與神的國傳開有關。我們今天得到福音是因為有多少人為我們付出生命、付出代價才讓我們聽見，如同因為施洗約翰的死，耶穌來到這裏。萬事如意之外，更美的是屬靈的興盛。

耶穌呼召在海邊，神可以在任何地方，任何場合說話，呼召他們於他們工作的時候。不一定在教會，在很優雅的場合。這四個人立即捨了網，兩人捨了船、別了父親，改變生活、離開家人，離開習慣的生活方式，對一個人而言很難。他們願意放下就。我們不用說放下這些，連改變既定行程都不太願意。我們是否願意調整我們的生活作習，為了親近主。耶穌為我們做了很大的改變，他是神，卻願意生活在罪人當中。

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How?

Follow the Jesus Chris calling is the blessing of the Lord.