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. 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. Great multitudes followed Him-from Galilee and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. Matthew 4: 23-25, NKJV.
Heavenly Father, we know that all of Your biddings are enablings. Many times the biddings are not the challenge; it is the process of enabling. As we study Your Word, Lord, teach us how to surrender, so that You can enable us for the task You have called us to perform. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Prior to beginning His ministry, Jesus was baptized with water (Matthew 3: 13-15); with the Spirit (16, 17); and with fire (4: 1-10). I refer to His temptation in the wilderness as a baptism by fire, because it is one of the only two times in Scripture, that I am aware of, that an angel or angels, were sent to minister unto Him (11). The other occasion is in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22: 41-43)! The timing of the two events are noteworthy; one was at the beginning of His ministry, and the other at the end. I believe, that these two moments, in a person’s ministry, are crucial! Both are tension-filled occasions. The questions to be answered are, “How well will I perform this undertaking?” The other is, “How well did I accomplish what I was called to do?” For us, as mere mortals, the anxiety is usually caused by our pride. In the case of the Son of God, His eternal separation from the Godhead; and the eternal destiny, of the entire world, depended on His achievements – whether He would pass the test; or, whether he had passed the test!
Our Scripture makes mention of Jesus’ “fame,” going “throughout all Syria.” That was a great temptation for one who was wrapped in human flesh (John 1: 14)! One of the greatest temptations of human beings, who are constantly in the public’s eye, is fame! How difficult it is to remain humble when one is on the road to becoming famous, or has become famous! All eyes are on you! Every word must be carefully thought out, every expression rehearsed. It is at these times that we are most vulnerable. Very often, we forget that Jesus walked this earth, as a human being.
Then we read that, “Great multitudes followed Him-from Galilee and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.” Again we read, “The Pharisees then said to one another, ‘You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him’ ” (John 12: 12-19)! Is that an enviable position to be in? Not when you are in ministry! The temptation here, is to believe that it is all about you; and to make the best of your opportunity. Thank God, Jesus never forgot what His mission was to the world, or Who had sent Him!
From His earliest interaction with the outside world we see, and hear, His constant awareness of His mission, “And He said to them, ‘Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business’ ” (Luke 2: 45-49)? And at every step of the way, He showed this awareness, “For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak… Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak” (John 12: 49, 50). To the very end He could say, “I glorified You on earth by finishing the work that You gave me to do” (John 17: 4-8).
Lord, please enable us to do Your will, by walking as You walked (1 John 2: 6)! Amen.