August 3, 2024
DAILY BIBLE READING – Matthew Chapter 4
1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
King James Version. Public Domain
Commentary
Introduction:
The fourth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew depicts key events at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. This chapter is divided into three main sections: the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, the beginning of His ministry in Galilee, and the calling of the first disciples. The chapter highlights important aspects of spiritual warfare, the fulfillment of prophetic promises, and the radical discipleship that Jesus demands from His followers.
Commentary:
The first section of this chapter describes the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. After a forty-day fast, Jesus is tempted by the devil. The devil presents Jesus with three tests: turning stones into bread, leaping from the temple to demonstrate God’s power, and offering all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship. Jesus resists each of these temptations with quotes from Scripture, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to God’s will. This episode symbolizes the spiritual battle that every believer faces and shows that true power and life do not come from material things, but from obedience to God’s Word.
In the second section, Jesus begins His public ministry in Galilee after John the Baptist is imprisoned. He moves to Capernaum, thereby fulfilling the prophecy from Isaiah that the people living in darkness would see a great light. This action underscores the significance of fulfilling prophetic Scriptures in Jesus’ life and work. Jesus begins to preach the message of repentance and the nearness of the Kingdom of Heaven, marking the start of His active ministry.
The third section describes the calling of the first disciples. Jesus calls Simon Peter and Andrew, as well as James and John, two pairs of brothers who are fishermen. They immediately leave their nets and their father to follow Jesus. This radical willingness to leave everything behind to follow Jesus illustrates the total commitment that He expects from His followers. The mention that Jesus will make these men “fishers of men” hints at the future mission of bringing others into the Kingdom of God.
The final part of the chapter describes Jesus’ ministry of healing in Galilee. Jesus heals many people of various diseases, leading to His fame spreading throughout the region and many people following Him. These healings are a sign of the coming Kingdom of God and the comprehensive restoration that comes through Jesus.
Summary:
Matthew chapter 4 provides deep insight into the early phase of Jesus’ ministry. The temptation in the wilderness shows Jesus’ steadfastness against satanic temptations and His fidelity to God’s Word. The beginning of His ministry in Galilee fulfills prophetic promises and establishes the message of the Kingdom of Heaven. The calling of the first disciples and the healings Jesus performs emphasize the radical nature of discipleship and the healing power of the Gospel. This chapter thus lays the foundation for Jesus’ subsequent work and the spread of His message.
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages Chapter 51: The Light of Life
This chapter is based on John 8:12-59; John 9.
Read online here
Commentary
Introduction: Jesus as the Light of the World (John 8:12)
Jesus declares in the temple that He is the light of the world and promises that those who follow Him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. This statement is made during the Feast of Tabernacles, where large lamps in the temple courtyard illuminate Jerusalem and remind the people of the pillar of fire that guided Israel in the wilderness. Jesus uses this symbol to highlight His mission as a spiritual light meant to illuminate the darkness of the world.
The Significance of Light in the Bible
Light is a recurring symbol in the Bible for God’s presence and revelation. From the light of creation to the pillar of fire that guided Israel in the wilderness and the light that accompanied the dedication of Solomon’s temple, light stands for God’s guidance and proximity. Jesus, as the light of the world, embodies God’s essence and His relationship with humanity. He is the true light that enlightens every person (John 1:9).
Jesus and Abraham (John 8:56-58)
Jesus emphasizes His eternal existence and His relationship with Abraham, which the Pharisees perceive as presumptuous. He explains that Abraham rejoiced at the prospect of Jesus’ day. By saying, “Before Abraham was, I am,” Jesus claims divine existence and identity, which the Pharisees see as blasphemy and therefore want to stone Him.
The Healing of the Man Born Blind (John 9)
In John 9, Jesus heals a man who was born blind. This healing demonstrates that God’s works are revealed through Jesus. The disciples and the Pharisees inquire about the cause of the blindness, but Jesus shifts the focus to the outcome: the revelation of God’s power and grace. This healing occurs on the Sabbath, prompting the Pharisees to again condemn Jesus as a lawbreaker.
The Pharisees’ Reaction
The Pharisees attempt to deny the miracle and intimidate the healed man and his parents. However, the formerly blind man bravely defends Jesus and points to the obvious divine origin of his healing. This defense leads to his expulsion from the synagogue. Jesus seeks him out and fully reveals Himself to him, whereupon the man worships Jesus as the Son of Man.
Spiritual Blindness of the Pharisees
Jesus uses the healing of the man born blind to highlight the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees. They claim to see, but they reject the true light that Jesus offers. Their self-righteousness and pride prevent them from recognizing the truth, thus their sin remains.
Summary
Chapter 51 underscores the profound significance of Jesus’ declaration, “I am the light of the world.” Jesus brings not only physical but also spiritual light into the world, revealing God’s truth and saving people from the darkness of sin. The healing of the man born blind serves as a practical example of Jesus’ mission and the necessity of accepting spiritual light. The Pharisees, however, remain trapped in their self-righteousness and reject the life-changing light that Jesus offers.
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