“And Jesus opened His mouth and taught them, saying…”
(This is not meant to be just a recapitulation of Scriptures, nor is it meant to be just a commentary.
I pray each of us will find, in these words, the path we are to walk; the very path Jesus carefully laid out for us – to walk.
This is the path of His Authority and of His Works. The path of health and healing, the path of purpose and of Kingdom conquest. This is the path that leads us to the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb. This is the path leading to the healing of the nations where there will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and we, His bond-servants, will serve Him and we will see His face, and His name will be on our foreheads and there will no longer be any night; and we will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine us; and we will reign forever and ever.)
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Began: Strong’s Concordance #757 (Greek: ἄρχω archo ar’-kho) AV-rule over 1, reign over 1; 2
1) to be chief, to lead, to rule
This word tells us that Jesus time had come to rule and reign over the physical and spiritual world. This is vitally important, as you will see a little later. We need to remember this.
Preach: Strong’s Concordance #2784 κηρύσσω kerusso kay-roos’-so
AV-preach 51, publish 5, proclaim 2, preached + 2258 2, preacher 1; 61
1) to be a herald, to officiate as a herald
1a) to proclaim after the manner of a herald
1b) always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed
2) to publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done
The world used here is a word of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed; something which has been done, first in the Spiritual to be manifest in the natural. It is not a general statement nor is it a request. It is a prophetic command.
(Matthew 6:18“Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”)
The concept of “binding and loosing” is taught in the Bible in Matthew 16:19: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” In this verse, Jesus is speaking directly to the apostle Peter and indirectly to the other apostles, ((and subsequently, to future disciples)). Jesus’ words meant that Peter ((and subsequently, future disciples)) would have the right to enter the kingdom himself, that he would have general authority symbolized by the possession of the keys, and that preaching the gospel would be the means of opening the kingdom of heaven to all believers and shutting it against unbelievers. The book of Acts shows us this process at work. By his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-40), Peter opened the door of the kingdom for the first time. The expressions “bind” and “loose” were common to Jewish legal phraseology meaning to declare something forbidden or to declare it allowed.
This is IMPORTANT as we see what Jesus says about the Authority of the Kingdom and who may enter and what they are commanded to do in His Name.
Matthew 4:18 ¶ Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
19 And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
Walking: Strong’s Concordance #4043 περιπατέω peripateo per-ee-pat-eh’-o
AV-walk 93, go 1, walk about 1, be occupied 1; 96
1) to walk
1a) to make one’s way, progress; to make due use of opportunities
From: 3961 πατέω pateo pat-eh’-o
AV-tread 3, tread down 1, tread under feet 1; 5
1) to tread
1a) to trample, crush with the feet
1b) to advance by setting foot upon, tread upon: to encounter successfully the greatest perils from the machinations and persecutions with which Satan would fain thwart the preaching of the gospel
Jesus is setting the example for His disciples, present and future. The word used for WALKING is demonstrating His Authority. We must take notice, for by this He is teaching us to be His disciples, and we must walk in His Steps (Chapters 10, 11 and 28 of Matthew, Jesus sends His disciples.)
Saw: Strong’s Concordance #3708 ὁράω horao hor-ah’-o
AV-see 51, take heed 5, behold 1, perceive 1, not tr 1; 59
1) to see with the eyes
2) to see with the mind, to perceive, know
Jesus was on mission. He was watching for and SAW, both with His eyes, His Mind and He Knew. So it is with us, as we are being filled with The Holy Spirit. THIS IS IMPORTANT as we are sent, and we are watching for those to whom we must preach the Gospel.
Peter: Strong’s Concordance #4074 (Greek: Πέτρος Petros pet’-ros)
AV-Peter 161, stone 1; 162
Peter = “a rock or a stone”
Andrew: Strong’s Concordance #406 (Greek: Ἀνδρέας Andreas an-dreh’-as)
AV-Andrew 13; 13
Andrew = “manly”
Casting: Strong’s Concordance #906 (Greek: βάλλω ballo bal’-lo)
a primary word; v; TDNT-1:526,91; {See TDNT 122 }
AV-cast 86, put 13, thrust 5, cast out 4, lay 3, lie 2, misc 12; 125
1) to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls
1a) to scatter, to throw, cast into
1b) to give over to one’s care uncertain about the result
This word is a good description of how most people view their lives, in general. “To throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls; to scatter, to throw, cast into; to give over to one’s care uncertain about the result.”
Jesus is calling all of His disciples, past, present and future, to a life that has purpose, meaning and eternal value.
Net: Strong’s Concordance #293 (Greek: ἀμφίβληστρον amphiblestron am-fib’-lace-tron)
AV-net 2; 2
1) anything thrown around one to impede his motions, as chains, a garment, a net for fishing
This word describes the lives of the disciples before meeting Jesus as are most of our lives ‘bound up’ as in anything thrown around one to impede his motions, as chains, a garment, a net for fishing”
Freedom is where and why Jesus calls us to follow Him.
Follow: Strong’s Concordance #1205 (Greek: δεῦτε deute dyoo’-teh)
AV-come 12, follow + 3694 1; 13
1) come hither, come here, come (sense of urgency)
2) interjection, come!, come now!
The word used for ‘follow’ has a sense of urgent command. Come, now! It is IMPORTANT that we remember Jesus was speaking prophetically then and is speaking prophetically to us, today!
Make: Strong’s Concordance #4160 (Greek: ποιέω poieo poy-eh’-o)
AV-do 357, make 113, bring forth 14, commit 9, cause 9, work 8, show 5, bear 4, keep 4, fulfil 3, deal 2, perform 2, not tr 3, misc 43, vr do 3; 579
1) to make
1a) with the names of things made, to produce, construct, form, fashion, etc.
1b) to be the authors of, the cause
1c) to make ready, to prepare
We are the clay in the Potter’s Hands; once He touches our lives, we are made new, into His image for His purpose. This is IMPORTANT to grasp.
Immediately: #2112 εὐθέως eutheos yoo-theh’-oce
AV-immediately 35, straightway 32, forthwith 7, misc 6; 80
1) straightway, immediately, forthwith
From: 2095 εὖ eu yoo AV-well 3, well done 2, good 1; 6
1) to be well off, fare well, prosper
2) acting well
This word tells us, not only of the urgency to Jesus’ call, but how the state of our lives is made to be well of, to fare well and to prosper, by answering His call and following Him.
Kingdom: #932 βασιλεία basileia bas-il-i’-ah
from 935; n f; TDNT-1:579,97; {See TDNT 127 }
AV-kingdom (of God) 71, kingdom (of heaven) 32, kingdom (general or evil) 20, (Thy or Thine) kingdom 6, His kingdom 6, the kingdom 5, (My) kingdom 4, misc 18; 162
1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule
1a) not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom
1b) of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah
1c) of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom
2) a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king
3) used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah
This word is so descriptive that you must take each definition and consider the impact and importance. “Royal power, kingship, dominion, rule, not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom; the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah and the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom.”
This is our calling and our role as Christians, Disciples of Jesus,
Healing: Strong’s Concordance #2323 (Greek: θεραπεύω therapeuo ther-ap-yoo’-o)
from the same as 2324; v; TDNT-3:128,331; {See TDNT 307 }
AV-heal 38, cure 5, worship 1; 44
1) to serve, do service
2) to heal, cure, restore to health
This comes from a root word, #2324 θεράπων therapon ther-ap’-ohn AV-servant 1; 1
1) an attendant, servant: of God
1a) spoken of Moses discharging the duties committed to him by God
The definitions of this word are complimentary: To serve, to worship, to heal, to cure, to restore to health. Jesus healed the whole person, body, mind/will/emotions and spirit. His healing is complete. We are called to this ministry, so we would do well to be disciples and learn.
Disease: #3554 νόσος nosos nos’-os
AV-disease 6, sickness 5, infirmity 1; 12
1) disease, sickness
2) plague
3) misery, suffering, distress
4) madness, vice (moral filth)
5) bane
Sickness: #3119 μαλακία malakia mal-ak-ee’-ah
AV-disease 3; 3
1) softness
2) in the NT infirmity, debility, bodily weakness, sickness
*This come from a root word, # 3120, malakos mal-ak-os’
AV-soft 3, effeminate 1; 4
1) soft, soft to the touch
2) metaph. in a bad sense
2a) effeminate
2a1) of a catamite
2a2) of a boy kept for homosexual relations with a man
2a3) of a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness
2a4) of a male prostitute
Again, Jesus heals the body, the mind, the soul and the spirit of all infirmities, including homosexuality.
There is nothing outside the reach of God and we are on mission with Jesus. Please, don’t stand idly by and watch. Join God is what He is already doing!
Matthew 4:21 (and following), NEXT
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Whitestone Fellowship 