Sometimes when you think you know a narrative you tend to over look some interesting and enlightening facts. I am trying to look at this text with fresh eyes to see what I am really being told.
Matthew 4:1-11 The Temptation
I never noticed or realized the first two temptations were accusations against the man Y’shua. “If you” was the accusation. The response was thrown back to the authority of God’s word. The final temptation went straight to the original intent. Satan (Adverary) vs. God. Who will you worship? Y’shua dropped the mic. He said get out of my face It is written you only worship God and Him only shall you serve. Why would the Word of God bow down to God’s Adversary? Please!!
Matthew 4:14 Galilee of the Gentiles
Where is this? I always thought Galilee where the tribes of Jacob settled. We usually forget there were non-Jews there before they came and others moved in later. Looking at Strong’s it says it is a circle of Gentiles or circle of nations, non-Jews. He went to them and declared the authority of God is here. This was the light brought to them. This was the gospel He brought to them.
I also noticed
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee,
and preaching the gospel of the kingdom,teaching in their synagogues,
(the good news of the reign of God Matt 4:23 Youngs’ Literal Translation)
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, (possessed or controlled by evil spirits, spiritually ill)
and those which were lunatick, ( mentally ill)
and those that had the palsy; (paralytic, physically ill)
and he healed them.
The text goes on to say that large multitudes followed Him from Galilee, Decapolis (ten-city region in Syria), Jerusalem, Judea and beyond Jordan. This is widespread awareness of Him. All of this seems to be in the first year of His ministry.
How did I miss so much?
Please share with your friends