15 “Land of Z’vulun and land of Naftali,
toward the lake, beyond the Yarden, Galil-of-the-Goyim —
16 the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those living in the region, in the shadow of death,
light has dawned.” [Matthew 4:16 Isaiah 8:23(9:1)–9:1(2)]
17 From that time on, Yeshua began proclaiming, “Turn from your sins to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near!”
18 As Yeshua walked by Lake Kinneret, he saw two brothers who were fishermen — Shim‘on, known as Kefa, and his brother Andrew — throwing their net into the lake. 19 Yeshua said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men!” 20 At once they left their nets and went with him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers — Ya’akov Ben-Zavdai and Yochanan his brother — in the boat with their father Zavdai, repairing their nets; and he called them. 22 At once they left the boat and their father and went with Yeshua.
23 Yeshua went all over the Galil teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing people from every kind of disease and sickness. 24 Word of him spread throughout all Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill, suffering from various diseases and pains, and those held in the power of demons, and epileptics and paralytics; and he healed them. 25 Huge crowds followed him from the Galil, the Ten Towns, Yerushalayim, Y’hudah, and ‘Ever-HaYarden.
"Who Is The Greatest?" by Author: Gary Shank
Muhammad Ali burst onto the world stage with fancy footwork and rapid-fire fists. In characteristic swagger, he grabbed the spotlight and proclaimed himself “the Greatest.” Then, in a February 1978 match considered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, Muhammad Ali, the “Undisputed Champion of the World” was defeated by Leon Spinks, a relative newcomer. Expecting to win handily, Ali had lightened his training regimen and was ill-prepared for the battle.In preparation for public ministry, Jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness 40 days. His training consisted not of increasing His abilities or expanding His potential, but rather surrender. Only by submitting to the will of His Heavenly Father was He able to overcome the enemy. Jesus proclaimed good news to broken and hurting people, setting free those long bound by darkness and despair. He emerged victorious over every foe.
The One who is truly “the Greatest” remains undefeated still.
Hymn for Today: "Come, Follow Me" by John Nicholson, 1839-1909
1. "Come, follow me," the Savior said.
Then let us in his footsteps tread,
For thus alone can we be one
With God's own loved, begotten Son.
2. "Come, follow me," a simple phrase,
Yet truth's sublime, effulgent rays
Are in these simple words combined
To urge, inspire the human mind.
3. Is it enough alone to know
That we must follow him below,
While trav'ling thru this vale of tears?
No, this extends to holier spheres.
4. Not only shall we emulate
His course while in this earthly state,
But when we're freed from present cares,
If with our Lord we would be heirs.
5. We must the onward path pursue
As wider fields expand to view,
And follow him unceasingly,
Whate'er our lot or sphere may be.
6. For thrones, dominions, kingdoms, pow'rs,
And glory great and bliss are ours,
If we, throughout eternity,
Obey his words, "Come, follow me."
Thought for Today:
"Yeshua said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men!”" Matthew 4:19.
Please pray:
For the people who seek to follow church in discipleship through obedience of listening and servanthood in and outside the church.
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