Tag Archives: Galilee

John 2

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John 2: Water into Wine

                There was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the Mother of Jesus was there, Jesus and His Apostles were also there. Some of the guests complain that there is no wine to drink and Mary tells them that they don’t have any more wine. Jesus tells His mother that He is still there and can help out. So, Mary tells the servants to follow any direction given by Jesus.

Jesus commands that all the water pots to be filled with water (all six at the party), and Jesus converted them into wine! But no ordinary wine, Good wine! From this miracle, which is explained as one of His first, the apostles believed on Him. Jesus leaves the party and heads to Capernaum where He goes to the Temple to find money changers…

Jesus was VERY displeased to find that His Father’s house had been turned into a den of thieves; He “…overthrew the tables; And said unto them… make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.” (John 2:15-16) Those gathered ask Him what sign He would give that they might believe Him and He said; “…Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19) The Jews were skeptical and said; “…Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?” (John 2:20) But, Jesus did not speak of the Temple they were standing in, but His own Temple, His body.

Jesus continued throughout the land and performed many miracles, but did not entrust Himself to many people, for “…he knew what was in man.” (John 2:25) In other words, Jesus was careful, because he knew that man could attempt to deceive Him, before His work was over.

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Luke 8

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Luke 8: Miracles of Jesus

                Jesus went throughout all the cities “…preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God…” (Luke 8:1)

Jesus relates the Parable of the Sower:

“A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold…” (Luke 8:5-8) Jesus then explains to His Apostles that “…the seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are those who hear… The rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.” (Luke 8:11-14)

Essentially those who hear the words of God and plant the seed of that goodness in good ground, they will rise up and produce good fruit. Those however that are around thorns (temptations or evils) will be choked out. Those who simply don’t have a standing will wither. We must plant our seeds of the gospel in good ground and surround ourselves with good things or else we will wither or choke.

After giving this Parable the Apostles along with Jesus travel by boat to their next destination, however a storm rises… The Apostles, scared, turn to Jesus and say; “…Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was calm.” (Luke 8:24)

The Apostles were scared and had forgotten the power of the Lord, after all they had seen many miracles by Jesus, yet forgot that He would not let them perish. Jesus turns to them; “…Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! For he commandeth even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” (Luke 8:25)

They arrive in the country of Gaderenes, which is against Galilee. When they were there they ran into a man possessed of many devils. The man’s name was Legion, and he had been possessed by devils for years. Jesus commands the devils to leave the man, and they do. But they plead to have a body, so Jesus permits them to enter into a herd of swine (pigs), which upon entering them ran off a cliff and choked in a lake. The man Legion proclaims the miracle of Jesus throughout all the land!

Jesus continues His journeys and while walking a woman, who had suffered a disease of the blood reached out and touched the garment of Jesus, in hopes of being healed. Jesus upon feeling the touch, stopped, and said; “…I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.” (Luke 8:46) The woman admitted to touching Jesus and comes and kneels down before Him, Jesus heals her and says; “…Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” (Luke 8:48)

Before Jesus could finish what He was doing, there came a ruler of a synagogue’s house that said his daughter was dead. He turns to the man and says; “…Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.” (Luke 8:50) Jesus explains that she is not actually dead, but sleeps. He comes into the girl and tells her to arise, and she does! Jesus tells the parents to tell no man of what they saw.

Luke 5

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Luke 5: Peter is called to Fish

                While Jesus was in Galilee the people pressed Him to hear the word of God as He stood by the lake of Gennesaret. Jesus goes to one of the ships, which was owned by Simon and enters into the ship and has him pull a little ways away from the shore, where He could teach everyone present from a distance. After He was done speaking He commanded Simon to launch his boat out into the lake to catch some fish. Simon tells Jesus that they did not have any luck catching fish all day, but he says he will listen to Jesus. On the command of Jesus they let down the net, only to discover that the net was so filled with fish that it not only broke the net, but almost caused both ships to sink under the immense weight.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the feet of Jesus and said; “…Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him… James, and John, the sons of Zebedee… Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.” (Luke 5:8-10)

                When they returned to shore, the men on the ship abandoned everyone they knew and followed Jesus. On their journeys, a leper begs to be healed and is healed by the hands of Jesus. However the fame of Him spreads throughout the land until he has a large group gathered to be healed of Him. Jesus was gathered in a house that was so crowded that a group gathered a man and lowered him in from the roof, as to get the attention of Jesus to be healed. When Jesus sees their great faith, he says; “…Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.” (Luke 5:20)

The Scribes and Pharisees are not too far away from finding fault with Jesus and mutter to themselves; “…Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” (Luke 5:21) Jesus, of course perceives their thoughts and asks them; “…What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy), I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.” (Luke 5:22-24) The Scribes and Pharisees, along with everyone else were perplexed.

Jesus continues His journey, where He meets a man named Levi, sitting outside of a tax collection office. He tells Levi to drop everything and to follow Him, Levi follows. Levi, in celebration invited Jesus, the disciples and his publican friends for a large feast at his house. The Pharisees and the Scribes take no time to call them out; “…Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?” (Luke 5:30) Jesus quickly responds to them; “…They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32)

Mark 9

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Mark 9: Transfigured on the Mount

                Jesus and the Apostles stand at the top of a mountain, with Peter, James and John. Jesus “…was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.” (Mark 9:2-4) Shortly after, they saw a cloud come over them and a voice saying; “…This is my beloved Son: hear him.” (Mark 9:7)

                Suddenly, the Apostles found them alone with Jesus again as if nothing had happened. On their journey down from the Mountain, Jesus tells them that they must not speak of the things they saw until after He has risen from the dead. The Apostles then asked Jesus “…Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?  And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things…” (Mark 9:11-12)

                Jesus arrives, where a group is gathered for Him. A man in the crowd yells out to Jesus; “…Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.” (Mark 9:17-18) Jesus, at this point, was a little upset because His own Apostles could not remove the evil spirit. So Jesus turns to the Apostles and says;  “…O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.” (Mark 9:19-20)

                Jesus, moved with compassion, asks the father how long this evil Spirit had resided in the child. The father tells Him from birth. Jesus tells the father, who was in disbelief as casting this devil out; “…If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” (Mark 9:23-24) Jesus then cast the evil spirit out and commanded it to no more enter or molest the child. As Jesus and His Apostles were leaving the area, the Apostles ask Jesus privately; “…Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:28-29)

                Jesus and the Apostles then depart through Galilee and while on their journey the Apostles had questions about who was greatest among the Apostles and what it meant that Jesus would die and come back three days later, but every one of them was too afraid to ask. Jesus of course knew their questions and called the twelve to sit and listen; “… If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) Jesus then continues by speaking about children and their importance in the Gospel “…whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” (Mark 9:42)

Summary of Matthew

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Summary of Matthew

Chapter by Chapter:

Matthew 1: Generations of Jesus Christ

Matthew 2: Birth of Jesus

Matthew 3: Jesus is baptized

Matthew 4: Jesus Tempted of the Devil

Matthew 5: The Sermon on the Mount: Part 1

Matthew 6: The Sermon on the Mount: Part 2

Matthew 7: The Sermon on the Mount: Part 3

Matthew 8: Jesus Heals a Leper

Matthew 9: Jesus Forgives Sins

Matthew 10: 12 Apostles – Authority from Jesus Christ

Matthew 11: John: More than a Prophet

Matthew 12: The Lord of the Sabbath

Matthew 13: Parable of Seeds

Matthew 14: John the Baptist Dies

Matthew 15: Contending Against Jesus

Matthew 16: Peter Recieves the Keys

Matthew 17: Transfigurations – Restoration

Matthew 18: We need to forgive our brothers

Matthew 19: Marriage/Judgment of the 12

Matthew 20: Parable of the Laborers

Matthew 21: Cleaning the Temple

Matthew 22: Worldly Marriages

Matthew 23: Woe unto Hypocrites

Matthew 24: Second Coming: Jesus talks to His Apostles

Matthew 25: Parable of the 10 Virgins

Matthew 26: Suffering in the Garden

Matthew 27: The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ

Matthew 28: Jesus Christ is Risen

 

                The Gospel of Matthew is one of four gospels in the Holy Bible. Matthew was one of the 12 apostles that were with Jesus Christ throughout His ministry on earth. Matthew was a Jewish tax collector that left his profession to follow the Lord, we are given a personal witness account of many miracles that Jesus performed prior to His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and being crucified on the cross.

 The Gospel of Matthew is divided into eight sections that describe different parts of Jesus’ life. It begins with the Genealogy of Jesus and follows with Gospel records of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. It also describes in detail the baptism of Jesus and His temptation by Satan in the desert. After 40 days and nights of fasting Jesus resisted all temptation. We learn of His ministry while in Galilee, where He commissioned the 12 Apostles, preaches The Beatitudes, performs miracles and teaches many lessons on subjects like; adultery, divorce, giving, prayer, judging, treasures in Heaven and warnings for not following the Gospel or the Commandments.

Jesus also teaches many parables to provide examples to His lessons. Jesus performs the miracle of feeding five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14:17). He also walks on water (Matthew 14:25). In Chapter 17 we learn of the transfiguration that was witnessed by three of His disciples; John, Peter and James (Matthew 17:1). Finally, towards the end of Matthew, we learn that Jesus returned to Galilee, where He predicts of His death. We learn of His entry back into Jerusalem where He is tried and crucified on the cross as a sacrifice for all the sin in the world. Jesus is resurrected and on the third day rises and tells His Apostles to preach unto the world! 

Matthew 28

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Matthew 28:

Jesus Christ is Risen

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At the end of the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the Sepulchre , where Jesus lay. As they were there, a great earthquake shook the earth and an angel appeared before them and said; “…Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said… go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead…” (Matthew 28:5-7)

The women leave, running with great joy to go and tell the disciples. On their way to tell the disciples, Jesus intersects them, and they fall to His feet. Jesus tells them; “…Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.” (Matthew 28:10)

When the chief priests and elders found out what had happened, they go to the soldiers and pay them to lie. They tell them to say that the disciples of Jesus came and stole His body, while the soldiers slept. This obviously is not true, but deception and lies have been around forever, and are always the result of Satan’s work.

When the disciples meet Jesus, some are a little skeptical. But Jesus tells them; “…All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 28:19) Jesus tells them that He will be with them until the end, but it is important that they spread His gospel.

Matthew 19

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Matthew 19:

Marriage/Judgment of the 12 

                  After Jesus had ended his speaking, He departed from Galilee and came to the coasts of Judea, where multitudes followed him and came to be healed of Jesus. The Pharisees quickly joined him to criticize and tempt Jesus by asking Him seemingly difficult questions; “…Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?” (Matthew 19:3) Jesus responded to their criticism; “…Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matthew 19:4-6) Jesus makes it clear that marriage is not only a sacred communion, but also something done between man and woman. The Pharisees then asked Jesus why Moses was able to grant writings of divorcement. Jesus explains that because of the hardness of people’s hearts it had to be done. But He made it clear that this was not mean to be, and for anyone divorcing for anything other than adultery, will cause both to commit adultery

After Jesus had spoken these words, some little children were not permitted to come unto Jesus, of course after just speaking to the Apostles about little children in Matthew 18, Jesus said; “…Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for such is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14) After Jesus had blessed the little children, a man came unto Jesus asking him what he should do to enter into the kingdom of heaven. The man explained to Jesus that he had followed all the commandments. Jesus tells the man to sell all his possessions, give them to the needy and then follow Him. The man went away in sadness, because he had great riches. Jesus then explains to His disciples that it is difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

So here is the important question: Does having money, or being rich, make you bad? Can you still enter into the kingdom of heaven with riches? Money, in of itself is not a bad thing. There are plenty of wealthy individuals throughout the world that do MUCH good. However, if one were to focus on nothing but money, being obsessed with it, then it is bad. So can a rich man enter into heaven? YES. Can he enter with his riches? NO. Therefore it is important to gain not only earthly treasures, but heavenly treasures that you can take with you into the next life.

Jesus ends his address in this chapter by telling the Twelve Apostles with Him, that they will become judges in the last days and that for anything a disciple of Christ loses in this life, it will be given; “…an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” (Matthew 19:29-30) If we work to do good in this life, and we have to give up or lose things in this life, Jesus has given us a promise that we will receive it back in heaven 100 times.