Follow Me

Matthew 4:18–22 (ESV): 

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is 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. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 

These men immediately left their work and family to follow Jesus. This shows me that they must have experienced Jesus before, otherwise why would they follow him if they knew nothing of him and had never met him? Jesus did not offer money, prestige, authority or power, he just asked these young, average, working men to follow him. They already had their vocations laid out for them - they were fishermen - capable, hardworking men. 

The 4 of them probably knew each other as they were fishing in the same area, so it is likely that they grew up together, and went to synagogue together. Maybe they were even in the same lessons that are taught to Jewish boys in childhood. Yet, they did not know Jesus in the same way. He was a new rabbi in the area, teaching new, incredible things, so amazing that they were willing to leave their lives and livelihoods and bet their future on him. So, they must have encountered him before because it is a big deal to give up your job, family and community in order to follow something or someone.

Those Jesus called were all young men, especially James and John as they are working with their Dad. So it is likely that they were young teenagers (from 13 years old) being apprenticed into their father’s trade. Simon and Andrew are not mentioned as having anyone else present and so are likely a bit older as they are able to do the work themselves, plus Simon is married, so he could be mid teens up to early 20s. All of them we would still consider to be young men who were trying to make a life for themselves and provide for their families. Then they heard Jesus call out to them and they gave it all up. 

In the Israelite culture, a rabbi gathered disciples when they were considered as having enough authority to do so, at the age of 30. They would call younger men to follow them, so this indicates that most if not all of the disciples, were younger than Jesus. Being chosen to follow a rabbi was a big deal. It was unlikely to happen for anyone who had not taken extended training in the Scriptures (parents would have to pay for this). Plus those chosen would have been smart, intelligent teenagers who showed an aptitude for religion. It is unlikely that these young fisherman fit either criteria, this is why they were learning their family trade. Later on in Scripture they are referred to ‘uneducated and common’ (Acts 4:13) so it is probable that Simon, Andrew, James and John had not had this extra education, but had gone straight into work. Maybe they had not shown much aptitude or enthusiasm in study, or their parents could not afford it and so instructed them in the family business. It was these overlooked, everyday, common, uneducated young men that Jesus called to follow him. 

Jesus had a different criteria to the norm. He desired faithful followers, not necessarily clever, scholarly or rich people. These young men had been overlooked by other rabbis but he saw something in them that showed him they would make good disciples. He saw minds and lives that could be moulded and developed to make an impact and carry the message of who he is after he was gone. Jesus saw potential where others had not. He still does. Maybe you do not feel smart enough, experienced enough, overlooked, too young, too old, or that your life situation makes things difficult. Still Jesus calls you to follow him. These young men did not know what it would look like but they knew the honour it was to be called to follow a rabbi. Their families would have been overjoyed and maybe slightly confused at having their sons chosen as this was not the norm, these students were not the ones others have chosen. They were overlooked, not educated and possibly not religious enough! 

The disciples were brave in saying ‘yes’ to follow Jesus, but they also knew they were privileged and would have been excited by this new adventure. Are you? Following Jesus does not look like what you expect it to, these disciples found that out. He is not like any other rabbi - Jesus teaches radical things, performs miracles, and gets in trouble with religious and political leaders. So these young disciples were not fully sure what they were saying yes to, but they did know that it was an unexpected honour to be called. They were up for an adventure, and they trusted and believed in what Jesus said and stood for. So they left behind everything else, they gave up their lives to follow him. Have you done the same? It will be an unexpected adventure that changes the trajectory of life if you do. 

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand

Jesus, after having had an intense emotional, physical and spiritual experience whilst being in the wilderness goes back home. Although he is not the same as he once was. He was baptised, affirmed by God, then tempted and pressed by Satan, now the intensity of that personal period of trial has stopped. What next?

Matthew 4:12–17 (ESV):  

Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 

 15  “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, 

the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 

 16  the people dwelling in darkness 

have seen a great light, 

  and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, 

on them a light has dawned.” 

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 

Jesus is having a confusing time. He has experienced the high of being baptised by John and being affirmed publicly by God. Straight after that the Spirit led him into the wilderness to suffer and be tried by Satan. Now, Jesus has discovered that his relative and the one who baptised him, John, is arrested. The same one who was preparing the way for him, who crowds followed, and who pointed towards Jesus as The Son of God, is now in captivity. After such a time of suffering, it would not be surprising if Jesus went back home, broke down, or went into hiding. I am sure some people at the time would have expected that Jesus would take John’s place and tell those waiting crowds, ‘Here I am, the one John told you about’. It seemed like a good time to do that as there were people ready and waiting for The Messiah to be revealed. Yet, Jesus doesn’t do any of that.

instead when Jesus hears about John’s arrest, ‘he withdrew into Galilee… and lived in Capernaum by the sea’. Jesus went somewhere else. Capernaum was a much more populated place than Nazareth, and it was well connected with other nations and people groups due to being in prime position for trading. So, when Jesus started his public ministry and began to preach, a mixture of people heard his message, and most of them were probably people that never heard the message of John. The rich, poor, traders, labourers, young, old, Jews, Gentiles, and even Romans would have had the opportunity to hear Jesus speak in Capernaum whereas John’s message had been primarily for the Jews. Jesus as soon as he starts his public ministry, is preaching to all people.  

So, what did Jesus preach? He spoke the same message John did - “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus picks up the same message, to different people in a different town. Yet, it was the same. The reality of God is true no matter which city, village or country you are in and people need to hear the same thing; There is a God, His Kingdom reigns and is being revealed, and He wants you to be a part of it. Yet there is a problem called sin that separates everyone from God, so there is a need for you to repent and be washed clean from all wrongdoing, so that you can turn your life around and become one of God’s people. Jesus and John taught the same thing, because it is true and people needed to know. People from every position, class, background and location still need to know. 

No matter the highs and lows of life, John and Jesus still presented the truth to people. They both had times of great encouragement and joy, but also of struggle, deep hurt and pain. John’s message remained the same whether he was in prison, at home or in the wilderness for he knew the truth and gave whoever would listen the opportunity to hear about God. Jesus continued this message, he boldly proclaimed that the ‘kingdom of heaven is at hand’ even though his ministry started out of confusion, joy and pain plus John had just been arrested for doing the same. Neither of these men allowed the truth of God to be hidden or muted. Is your life the same? 

Does your life reflect God’s Kingdom no matter what you are going through? God gives you opportunities to tell people about Him in every circumstance, in different locations and situations. John was in prison because of the message he brought, Jesus was in a different area having to deal with conflicting and confusing emotions, yet they both were still faithful to God and still carried on the mission God had given them. Are you?

Surviving the Wilderness

After Jesus’ baptism where he was affirmed by Father God as His pleasing Son, Jesus then enters the wilderness. From a moment of recognition, power, pouring out of the Holy Spirit comes desolation.  

When you have great times with God, breakthrough, affirmation, joy, when the Holy Spirit is tangibly present and affects you, it can be after such times that a wilderness season comes. From a high moment you can experience a low time. This happened for Jesus, so you should not be surprised when it also happens to you. We read in Matthew that, ‘Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.’ This sounds odd, doesn't it?! That Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. Jesus was purposefully led to undergo temptation. From being affirmed by Father God, he then had to go through significant hardship and temptation. Do you ever feel that this happens to you, that something difficult occurs when you have had an encounter with God or taken a step of faith and obedience? Next time, do not be surprised. The enemy wishes to undo the great work and affirmation that God has given, and God allows it. Do not lose your salvation, hope, promises, deliverance, breakthrough, or recognition of the love and grace of God, because the enemy wants to distract you. God allows you to experience such wilderness times to give you opportunity to exercise the faith you have and to grow in it. Satan will also use this time to get you off track by offering you enticing promises that will compromise your faith and disrupt the plan of God in your life, so learn to hold strong as Jesus did. 

Matthew 4:1–11 (ESV): 

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, 

  “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, 

but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” 

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, 

  “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ 

and 

  “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, 

lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ” 

7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, 

  “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God 

and him only shall you serve.’ ” 

11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. 

This must have been incredibly hard for Jesus. Think of the conflicting emotions, as well as the temptations on a worn out body and mind. When you are tired, hungry and emotionally drained it is harder to resist temptation. Whether it is the temptation to respond in an unholy way, eat what you shouldn’t, pick up bad habits, get angry, lazy or distant. When your body and mind are stressed, it is harder to think clearly and behave well. It is harder, but not impossible as Jesus proves. Jesus saw this for what it was, he was not fooled or deceived. He knew that this was the devil’s work trying to disrupt his sense of identity, and to use his God-given power and authority to fulfill his own selfish desires. Like having some bread because he was ‘hungry’ - i think that is an understatement after 40 days! When you are next tempted to sin, to cut corners, to behave in a way not consistent with the faith you possess, stop. Think about who is really trying to be in control here. Is this the enemy trying to take you out? Can you even imagine if Jesus gave in to even one of those temptations? He would have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God like the rest of us, he would not have proved that he is indeed the Son of God, pure, holy and completely good. So, how does Jesus do it? 

Jesus had the great advantage of knowing God, really knowing Him. Jesus had lived with and loved God in heaven, so he really knows the Father’s character, His power, His expectations, His words. Jesus also knew and accepted who he was in relation to God. Jesus is His Son, and also human. Therefore his life was to be lived in submission to God. Jesus knew that this was the best for him and for the whole of creation. Due to his obedience in his life, death and resurrection, you too can know that closeness with God the Father, and have the same identity as His son or daughter. Invest in your relationship with Him. Spend your life listening, speaking and thinking of God. Consider His words and guidance. Invest in honouring God with your life, then you will know the kind of things that you can and should say yes or no to. 

You can see that Jesus also uses Scripture to combat the devil’s temptations. So, read and understand what is written. Every word in the Bible is true and written by God himself, so use it to help you. Jesus did. he did not feel like saying no to having some bread or power, so he could not rely on his own understanding or emotions. Instead, he trusted in what is always good and true - the Word of God. Although Satan gets wise to this and also tries to use Scripture to persuade Jesus to give into his schemes (v6). So, be warned. The enemy can twist and distort the truth to make sin sound good for Satan knows the Bible too. It is not enough to be able to recite verses, for that is what Satan did, you also need to know what they mean and the God behind the words. When you hear someone quoted and you know the person behind those words, you know if the quote is giving a true reflection of what they are like or is taking things out of context. Jesus could see that this is what Satan was doing. He was taking the words of God and using them to imply something that God did not intend. Jesus knows God better. He knows the content, context and character behind Scripture and stands firm based on his knowledge of God. This is how Jesus overcame temptation, and this is how you can too. Find out about God. Learn what the Bible says and what it means, understand the God behind the words, get to know Him, and hold onto what is true. Then you will be victorious when temptation comes. You can resist temptation, you can overcome sin. It is hard, but you can do it. 

Allow Jesus, The Word of God and the character of God give you strength and show you how. Be prepared and ‘Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.’ (1 Peter 5;8). The devil will wait, he is patient. He will seek to get you in a weak, despondent, distracted moment or when you are having such fun you are off-guard. You need to live as if there is always a hungry lion in wait. If you do, you’ll be watchful, armed and prepared and would create a strategy. The strategy is to learn about God, obey Him, and know His words and promises. Be armed and dangerous with your understanding of Scripture then the devil will leave (v11). 

Jesus revealed

 John has an established ministry, he is known, has a nickname (The Baptist), and a following. John is even know (and disliked) by Herod, so the leaders of the area know about him. You could say that John is pretty famous. People certainly flock to see and hear him. Then, during one of John’s teaching and baptising sessions, Jesus turns up. He seems like he is just one of the crowd, also listening and responding to John. Yet John knows who Jesus really is.

Matthew 3:13–15 (ESV): 

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” 

What an honour for John to baptise Jesus, i am sure the privilege of doing that would have never been forgotten by him. John knew Jesus was The Son of God - he had known that before he was born! Now, here is Jesus waiting to be re-birthed through the water of repentance, although no wrong could ever have been found in him. Through being baptised, Jesus honoured and affirmed John and his ministry. This must have been the highlight for John out of all the things he had said, seen and done, all of the people he had spoken to and all the lives that had been transformed through hearing about God’s kingdom. Baptising Jesus and the experience that followed must have given him great joy. What John had always known about Jesus was being revealed now to others. 

Matthew 3:16–17 (ESV): 

‘when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”’

Can you imagine that? John has probably baptised thousands of people by this point, none ever had a response like this. ‘The heavens were opened’ - what does that mean? What did that look like to the other people there? Then, ‘a voice form heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”’ Can you imagine being there? What would you have made of that? I wonder if John got to baptise any more people that day after that experience. It seems like no more words need to be said! John’s belief and understanding of who Jesus is, was confirmed in a mighty way. John must have celebrated! He had lived his life knowing this truth that seemed like a big secret, and he could only talk about the Messiah to come in a way that did not point directly to Jesus until it was God’s time to reveal it. The time was now! Have you ever waited a long time for something great, and when it finally happens - oh what joy! Relief, joy, contentment, satisfaction, i am sure John felt them all. He was living on the Earth at the same time as The Messiah, and not only that, he already knew and loved him! John had been waiting for this revelation, and he had seen it. Jesus time of ministry has come. 

The experience of Jesus baptism is a lovely moment, Jesus affirms John and God affirms Jesus. God reveals who Jesus is, and that He is pleased with him. I wonder what people made of it, and if people at that moment then started following Jesus. I am sure this would have been talked about amongst friends and families, the news spreading about John and Jesus. What is your response to the revelation of Jesus? 

Have you followed him into the waters of baptism? Do you acknowledge that he is the Son of God? Are you waiting for him to reveal himself in your life? For, he already has. John knew who Jesus was before this moment. Jesus has already shown up in your life too and has been revealing who he is - have you seen him and accepted him for who he is yet? John did, and his life was dedicated to preparing people to meet, hear and respond to Jesus. What is your response to Jesus being revealed to you as the Son of God?

Brood of vipers!

John has been baptising people in water, they are flocking to him to see the strange prophet in the wilderness, and to hear what he has to say. No wonder the religious leaders were curious and thought they would check out what this man is preaching. He is leading people to God and telling them to repent from their sins. It is no wonder that the Pharisees and Sadducees wanted to see what he was up to, as it was their job to teach about God and how to follow Him. Yet they do not get a very warm reception from John….

Matthew 3:7–12 (ESV): 

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” 

What a greeting, ‘you brood of vipers!’ John referred to the religious leaders of his time as venomous snakes, implying that they were poisonous, evil and deceitful. Jesus later refers to them in like manner (Matthew 12:34, ‘You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.’). John saw what many of the Pharisees and Sadducees were like, they were not interested in people honestly following God, they were more concerned about what they could get out of their service to the people. John realises that these men do not believe in what he is saying, they are pretending to be godly, and making a good show of it, but they are not bearing good fruit. Therefore there is only one destination for them - being thrown into the fire. John uses two different examples which emphasise the same thing; the unfruitful and the wicked will be cut down and ‘burn with unquenchable fire’. There is one destination for those who do not follow and honour God with their lives, wrath and eternal fire. Are you heading there?

Listening to and understanding God’s Word is not enough, nor is being baptised with water. John makes this clear. An outward symbol and internal knowledge are not the markers of a transformed or godly life. Repentance, fleeing from sin, is what God requires and this leads to fruitfulness. A changed life, one without scheming or deceit, demonstrating the fruitfulness of living in right relationship with God, this is what is required. Everyday people can achieve it, from the young to the old, rich to the poor, it is possible for all. However it seems that it is harder for religious people. 

John saw the religious men approach, and he saw their desire - they wanted to make an outward show of being made right with God, they had no intention of doing anything about sin, wrongdoing or changing their lives. They just wanted to do the minimum to ‘flee from the wrath to come’.  Everyone else was going out to be baptised by John, maybe they could do it too. It was not through a genuine interest in becoming more godly or repenting of sin that they came. Maybe they were curious as to what the fuss was about. They were probably losing attendees in the synagogue because the people were coming to hear John instead, so they were checking out their competition. Plus they were responsible for the religious direction of Israel so they want to ensure that the people are not being taught something unbiblical. It makes sense that they would go to hear John and consider his teaching. So it can seem harsh John’s response to call them vipers. However, we know that John was empowered by the Holy Spirit, and Jesus made the same judgement upon them, so he clearly saw something about the heart and purpose of these men, and it was not ‘in keeping with repentance’. 

The way to become more righteous is not through attendance of meetings, routines or gaining knowledge. It is through understanding the words of God, and allowing them to impact and transform your life. Righteousness begins with recognising that you are not righteous, but desire to be. Repentance is a turning away from sin and temptation, letting that be washed away through baptism. It means your heart and mind need changing through recognising who God is and what that means for the rest of your life. There are no short-cuts. John led and supported people in knowing how and why they should change their sinful lives so that they could escape the burning hell that is the destiny of the sinful. 

Some people hear the message of repentance and the kingdom of God, and can even teach it, but do nothing about it in their own lives. Yet they can mistakenly think that because they know, they will be welcomed into heaven. Jesus and John teach that this is false. That was the position of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Do not be like them, they are heading for a place of, 'unquenchable fire'. Instead, recognise your unrighteousness, repent, accept God's forgiveness, and learn to live a different life. Then you will be like wheat gathered into the safety of a barn (v12) for living a righteous and fruitful life for the kingdom of God. God wants you in His kingdom, he invites and welcomes you. Listen to His words and let them change your life. 

Purpose and Limitations

The next section of the book of Matthew introduces John, John the Baptist as he is known. His birth was also miraculous, he was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, ‘they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were well advanced in years’ (Luke1:7). Yet The Lord sent an angel to Zechariah to tell him the news, and it was promised that this child, ‘will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb’ (Luke 1:15). Another incredible promise to an unlikely, faithful, God-fearing couple. God told them their child was to prepare people for the coming Messiah. John was only 6 months older than Jesus, yet his ministry started much earlier. Before Jesus’ ministry became public, John spent years teaching and preaching. He had grown a reputation as an unusual man of God and was anointed to speak about the kingdom of God coming to those who would listen;

Matthew 3:1–6 (ESV): 

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, 

  “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 

  ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; 

make his paths straight.’ ” 

4 Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 

John was preaching to people and became so well known that people had given him a nickname ‘the Baptist’. He was so intriguing that people even went out to the wilderness to hear him, a barren place with nothing to entice anyone. He was a popular speaker who also fulfilled prophecy through his life. Some people may have begun to believe that he was the promised one, the Messiah, yet John knew his mission and was clear with people that the Messiah was to come. He never claimed to be something he wasn’t. He was certain of his role to be the one to ‘prepare the way of the Lord’ and he fulfilled it no matter the cost. 

John was anointed by God to call people to Him, and they followed. He told people to repent, they did. Yet there was not much about him to attract people. He was in the wilderness for a start, he wore rough, animal clothing, and you wouldn’t want to have dinner with him as he was known to eat ‘locusts and wild honey’. It was his character and his anointing to preach God’s word that attracted people. John was an unusually gifted man. Like many prophets in the Old Testament, he lived a life most did not understand, and he spoke truth. John knew his role to ‘prepare the way of the Lord’. He did not overstep or diminsh his God-given mission. He helped people to straighten out their lives in preparation to meet the promised Messiah who was already walking the Earth. John was anointed by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit. He instructed thousands of people to turn from their wickedness and live God-honouring lives, and they did. People sought him, heard him, liked him, followed him and spoke about him. Yet John knew though that he was only preparing the way, and he was confident and capable in this. He knew Jesus before most other people did, and he lived his life pointing others to him, getting them ready to meet him, as he knew when they did, they were meeting God himself! 

John didn’t seem to mind that this would mean his followers would one day beome Jesus followers. He didn’t even seem to mind that he had to eat bugs and whatever else he could lay his hands on. Or wear what i imagine must have been itchy clothing to cover his body, and spend a lot of time in the wilderness. John knew what he was called to do and what he was not called to be, and he got on with it. 

Are you the same; Are you doing what you know you are meant to do, and are you content with that and know your limitations?

You cannot be everything to everyone, so learn to be content with the God-given role that you do have. You have a purpose and limitations like John. God has designed you, He orchestrated your birth and life like he did Jesus and John. He has a plan and purpose for your life, are you seeking God to find out what it is? Are you trying to do too much and take on things that you are not built to deal with? It is ok to not do some things, because other people have been created and developed to do them. Do not worry if things seem unfinished or not ready, there is another coming who can finish the work, just do what God has given you to do and trust God with the rest, John did. He knew his role, the power of it and the limits of it. He knew God wanted him to prepare the way for someone else to come. John trusted God and got on with his job for years before Jesus became known, and look at the impact he had - people from ‘Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him’! He had no small ministry, but it was nothing when compared to the eternal ministry of Jesus! Yet John knew his purpose, and his limitations, he got on with it and trusted God, do you?

Do not overthink it

 Matthew 2:19–23 (ESV): 

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. 

What a journey Jesus has been on already as a child, and Joseph and Mary as a married couple and new parents! First they both had to go to Bethlehem for a census where Jesus was born, next God told them to go to Egypt, and then a few years later, they headed back to Israel to the area of Galilee. This family were displaced foreigners, having to do their best to survive in difficult and scary circumstances. 

I wonder how Joseph and Mary managed to communicate in Egyot, did Jesus grow up learning Arabic as well as Hebrew in his early years? For Joseph and Mary, turning up in this strange country one day, it must have been pretty overwhelming and scary, having traveled for days to get there. Then, they were told by God they could return to their own country. It must have been a relief to them both to end up in Nazareth, the town where they had grown up, met and married. After so many years away, to return to a familiar place, with some familiar people must have been comforting. Yet, when they were first told to go back to Israel, they were not sure where to go. They initially considered going back to Judea, maybe even back to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. They did not know where exactly they were going, just that God had said to return to Israel. Even on the journey and when they arrived they were not quite sure where to go. God seems to have revealed to them in part, and they obeyed even though they did not know what the fullness of God’s plan looked like. They trusted God would look after them, lead them, and provide them a home, and He did. 

As Mary and Joseph return to Israel, this is the first time we read about any emotions of Joseph. The text says ‘he was afraid to go there’ (to Judea). Jospeh would have heard about the ‘weeping and loud lamentation’ that had occurred in Judea, the couple would have probably known people who had suffered the tragedy of their children being murdered. I am sure Joseph’s concern grew as they got nearer - if they go back to Bethlehem, Jesus would likely be one of the only boys of his age in the area due to what Herod had decreed, plus Herod’s son was in power, so would he now re-birth the decree? No wonder Joseph was afraid. It would not have been difficult for this young family to have been found out, reported, and all be put to death. God saw Jospeh’s reasonable fear, and He spoke to him and directed the family to live in Galilee. This is how they ended up residing in Nazareth, a small, relatively unknown rural village. This must have been a relief for a couple whose child’s life had been sought, and who had spent years surrounded by unfamiliar and foreign things and people. They could now live in quietude, able to work and do family life in a familiar community. Yet they only returned there because they obeyed God.

In all this God was fulfilling His plan. The Messiah had been prophesied to be; born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and ‘out of Egypt I called my son’ (Hosea 11:1), so even before Jesus was 5, he was fulfilling the promises of God - Just by being a child, going where his parents were going and breathing! It is not coincidence, but God-ordained purpose that circumstances caused the movement of this family. God was in control. He planned, listened and cared about this one family, just like He cares for you and your life. Things will happen that don’t seem to make sense, there are terrible tragedies, times when you have to move on, go into places of busy-ness and quietness. Do not overthink it. Instead, trust that God is fulfilling His purposes for your life and His kingdom as He did for Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Jesus was clearly being taught about the importance of hearing and obeying God from his parents. It was not easy for them, but when God spoke, they did what He asked, even when they did not understand or see the full picture. Unknowingly, they were preparing their son for the biggest sacrifice and step of obedience that he would have to make for the sins of the world. So, whatever you are facing today, tomorrow or in the future, listen to God and obey Him. Do not focus on the circumstances as much as the One who is using all things to fulfill His purposes and plans. Allow God to guard and direct your steps as he did for this small, young, refugee family and see what God can do in and through your life.