Matthew 4 - Introduction

Jesus Began To Preach

Matthew Four

Matthew chapter four gives us a look at the faithfulness and work of the Savior. In this chapter Matthew shows us, (1) a tempted Savior (Matthew 4:1-11), (2) a preaching Savior (Matthew 4:12-17), (3) a calling Savior (Matthew 4:18-22), and (4) a healing Savior. (Matthew 4:23-25) The New Testament gives us many different looks at the wonderful man of Galilee. Through the gospel, you can believe and be sure that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

The Devil put Christ under severe temptation immediately after God declared Him to be the Son of God following His baptism. The goal of the wicked one was to cause the Savior to doubt God. Temptation is the plight of all mankind. "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." (James 1:14) Jesus was able to resist temptation and with the help of God so are we! Satan tempts at those moments when we are the weakest. But with enough of God's word within us we are able to resist. In dealing with each temptation Jesus answered "It is written." Satan will attack everywhere and under every circumstance, so be ready.

The wonderful Savior preached the same message that John had preached before Him. "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17) The same need for preaching repentance is present in our day as it was in John and Jesus' day. However, we are now blessed that the kingdom of heaven has fully come with the sending of the Holy Ghost on the Pentecost day of Acts Two.

When Jesus began His preaching He called men to be His disciples. Later He named these special men "apostles." Among those that were called were Peter, Andrew, James and John. Jesus chose those that would have been rejected by the world. They were called to leave everything and follow Him.

As Jesus went about preaching He proved Himself to be the Son of God by the great miracles that He did. "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." (Matthew 4:23) Many became followers of Jesus the Savior.