Matthew 4:12-17, The King’s Message

Introduction

Good morning! Please open your Bible with me to Matthew 4. We’re continuing our study of these early chapters of Matthew’s Gospel. The early days of Jesus’ ministry. We’ve come to Matthew 4:12-17. That’s what we’ll be looking at together this morning.

As I was walking around praying here one day this week it occurred to me that I should point this out––throughout this room there are Bible’s underneath the seats in front of you. So, if you do not have a Bible, you can find it on page 809 in the Bible’s available under the seat in front of you. Please follow along as I read Matthew 4:12-17.

READ Matthew 4:12-17

PRAY

I’ve been thinking a lot about times and seasons lately. Soon we’ll begin to transition from Winter to Spring. Before you know it, we’ll transition to the warmer Summer months when our calendars will be filled with all sorts of things––Summer Rec; vacations; camping trips; time on the lake; farmers planting and maintaining their fields. It will be time to put the cold weather gear away––all the thermal wear; the skis and skates; the snow plows and snow blowers.

Then of course there is the transition of seasons in life. Kids grow up and finish school. Leave the house to spread their wings. Retirement looms for others. All of this natural rhythms and seasonal transitions remind us that what the writer of Ecclesiastes says is completely true:

Ecclesiastes 3:1, For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

This is widely true across all aspects of life as he goes on to point out in the verses that follow. There’s time for planning and preparation. Then comes time for execution of the plan. Time to live out what was prepared for. Our passage this morning provides a bit of a transition point in our study of Matthew’s gospel.

Up to this point, we’ve seen and learned a lot about Jesus prior to the official beginning of His earthly ministry. We’ve seen the origins of the King in his family lineage and pedigree. That he is the rightful heir. The promised Son of David who will sit on the throne and rule forever. Matthew has continued to make that point clear about who Jesus is. He is the Savior King. The King is Here! All hail, the King!

We’ve seen Him and His rule come under threat from a tyrant who sought to destroy Him as a child. Thus, his early years were spent in exile away from the public eye. Then, just a few weeks ago, the page began to turn as John the Baptist came on the scene as a herald for the coming King––baptizing people and calling them to repent because the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

What Tyler has helped us to see so well over the last two weeks is both the presentation of the King in His baptism, identifying with the very people He came to save. And also, the King’s testing, in which He showed Himself to be the truly obedient Son, qualified to be our righteous Savior.

Now, we come to the turning point. Where the King begins His earthly ministry. The season of preparation is over. The time to fulfill His ministry has come. And so He begins to preach. That’s what we’ll look at this morning as we see Jesus begin to preach and consider the message that He preached. Then in the two weeks that follow, we’ll see more about what characterized His ministry. What it looks like to follow Him and how he spent His time in ministry.

As I said, this morning we want to spend our time considering the King’s Message. It’s a message we all ought to be familiar with. Yet in our familiarity, we never want to become complacent or indifferent. And so, as we look at the King’s Message this morning my hope is that we all would…

MAIN POINT––Rejoice in and proclaim the King’s message.

I want us to see this by asking and answering two questions from the text this morning:

Who is the Message For?

What is the Message?

Who Is The Message For?

We’ll see very clearly at the end what the message is. It’s the same message we saw proclaimed by John the Baptist a few weeks ago. But before we get to the message, the text gives us a glimpse of who the message is for. So, like the text, that’s where I want us to begin. We want to first answer the question––“Who is the King’s message for?”

Beginning with verse 12, Matthew sets the scene for us. He gives us a bit of context and a timeframe of when these things happened. We learn that John the Baptist had been arrested. Matthew doesn’t give us the details concerning John the Baptist’s arrest here. Those details will be given later on in Matthew 14 where we learn that Herod imprisoned him for calling out his marriage to his brother’s wife Herodias. Clearly, John the Baptist wasn’t afraid to call a spade a spade, no matter who they were or how powerful they were. Truth matters in all contexts.

This arrest prompted Jesus to leave the region himself and go into Galilee. We can’t be sure of all the specifics of what was going on in the mind of Jesus to make that decision. We have no reason to believe it was out of fear or anything of the sort. He knew exactly what He came into the world to accomplish and the means by which He would accomplish it. There are instances, though, particularly in the apostle John’s gospel where Jesus simply says “my hour has not yet come.” Jesus knew when His hour would come to lay down his life and this wasn’t it.

Whatever the specific rationale may have been, Matthew tells us that ultimately this move occurred in fulfillment of what was written by the prophet Isaiah. He wants us to know, once again, that Jesus is the fulfillment of specific prophecies and long-awaited Messianic hopes and expectations. He’s beating that drum over and over again to make clear for us, “The King has come, and His name is Jesus.” To that end, here in this passage, he cites Isaiah 9:1-2.

As we’ve done with the other Old Testament citations in Matthew, we want to understand what Matthew is doing. How he is interpreting and applying God’s Word to the life and ministry of Jesus. He is writing under inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we need to take our interpretive cue from Matthew. We do that by looking at those verses in Isaiah in their own context and then looking at what Matthew does with them here in Matthew 4.

First, if you go back and look at the passage in Isaiah 9:1-2, it’s immediately apparent that there are some subtle differences, but nothing major. Isaiah 9:1 is a bit lengthier than Matthew records, but the point is the same. Matthew simply wants to draw our attention to a particular region. The same region that Isaiah addressed in his writing––the land of Galilee.

This area, where Jesus was settling down in, was where the tribal allotments fell for the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun. Two of the twelve tribes of Israel. When Isaiah wrote this, that particular area had been conquered by the Assyrians as part of God’s judgment upon Israel for breaking the covenant. They suffered greatly under the harsh rule of the Assyrians. Isaiah is known for the judgments He pronounced over Israel as God’s prophet. But he also intermixed announcements of hope to come. Which is exactly what he was doing in Isaiah 9.

There in Isaiah 9, Isaiah draws attention to the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, what he calls Galilee of the nations––because of how they had been influenced by and overrun with Gentiles. And he alludes to their time of contempt and comforts them with the reality that in latter times there will be a glorious hope for them. While there was certainly the more immediate relief of coming out of exile, that would prove itself not to be their ultimate hope.

Now, there's a bit of a correlation between life for those in Isaiah’s day and what was happening there in Matthew’s day. Israel was under Roman occupation. That particular region, Galilee, was heavily influenced by Gentile presence. And Matthew wants them to know that on them a light has dawned. Matthew wants his readers to know that ultimate hope has come. It has come and it has dawned in the coming of Jesus the Savior-King.

This is really astounding when you think about it. No illustration is perfect, but I want to contextualize this a bit to illustrate its significance. Imagine if the President of the United States wanted to establish his presence in Minnesota. But instead of establishing it in the Cities, he came right here to Fosston and made City Hall the new White House. Rural Minnesota, which to us feels looked down upon by many of the “elites” down in the cities.

For the Jews, everything revolved around Jerusalem. That’s where you might expect the Savior-King to go and dwell for beginning His ministry and establishing the kingdom. But that’s not what Jesus did. He went to Galilee. A land looked down upon by the Jewish leaders because of the Gentile influence and mixture there. In the eyes of “pure Jews” they were nobodies; outcasts; people to be looked down upon and despised.

Yet, that is exactly where Jesus goes to spend the early beginning days of his ministry. To those the world despised and rejected. To a place where the nations were gathered. That’s who would have the privilege of hearing about God’s deliverance from the Deliverer Himself. And so we get a glimpse of who this message is for. It’s a message for all people. Jesus is the light of the world and the hope for all people. Rich or poor; Old or young; Jew or Gentile. Jesus is the light of the world. The hope for all those who will hear and heed His message.

For those of us gathered here this morning this is an occasion to rejoice. We’re all Gentiles. Descendants of the nations. We come from the line of people whom Paul characterized as at one time being far off, but in Christ have been brought near. We were once cut off from the covenant promises; alienated from the people of God. But now in Christ we have been brought near because God’s intention all along was that He would save a people from every tribe and language and nation and tongue.

It’s an occasion to rejoice because our being saved does not depend on our status or performance. We can rejoice that God’s grace has shined upon us in the coming of Christ Jesus. The Savior-King for all people who will come to Him in repentance and faith. Which brings us to the second and last question for our time this morning.

What Is The Message?

We have a message that is for all people. What is the message? It’s the same message recorded in verse 17. Look at that verse with me. “From that time” is Matthew’s way of marking a major transition. The time of preparation is over. The time has come for Jesus to formally begin His earthly ministry. And what did that ministry entail? We’re told that it was from that time onward that Jesus began preaching.

The LORD Jesus Christ was committed to preaching! Very soon we’ll get to see perhaps His most well known sermon—the Sermon on the Mount. Unlike the way many churches of our day characterize it, it was not a “conversation”. It was a public proclamation, a heralding, of the truth. A declaration that judgment is coming, but there is a way to escape that judgment and come into the kingdom of God. A proclamation that impressed upon the audience the urgent need to respond accordingly.

As much as I’ve been encouraged by the increased interest in biblical preaching, there’s still so much left to be desired. Oh that more of our churches would see the necessity of preaching and value it the way Jesus so clearly did in His own life and ministry. Preaching is essential, I would even say central, to the advance of the gospel and the building up of the church. It’s why we devote so much of our time and attention to it here in our own church.

As those who have sinned and live in rebellion against God, stained by the effects of sin and the Fall, we need to hear God’s Word. And He has ordained preaching as the means to that end. Two thousand years of church history has demonstrated the importance of faithful substantive biblical preaching to the faithfulness and flourishing of the church. When the preaching of God’s Word is held in high regard and committed to, the correlation is a stronger and faithful church.

There’s a reason there are volumes of writing about periods of church history like the Reformation and the Great Awakening. It was fueled by preaching in the power of the Spirit of God as faithful men like Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield––the list goes on––unleashed God’s Word in humble yet powerful dependence upon God’s Word to accomplish the ends that God ordained His Word to accomplish. The salvation of His people and the building up of His church.

You want to see the church thrive and flourish in our day? You want to see awakenings here in Fosston and the surrounding area? Pray regularly and expectantly for those who preach and pray that God would raise up many more who will faithfully preach the Word. Expect nothing less from your pastors. That we commit ourselves unwaveringly to this all important task.

And even if you yourself are not a preacher, commit to proclaiming the same message in the sphere’s of influence God has given you. In the work place. At the lunch table. On long walks through the neighborhood. You may not have a pulpit, but you certainly have people in your life who need you to open your mouth and hear you speak the gospel to them and call them to repent and believe in the LORD Jesus Christ.

That brings us back to the question, what is the message? “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The same message that John proclaimed because it wasn’t John’s message. It was Jesus’ message. John was the forerunner, the herald of the King, who prepared the way for the King. Now, amazingly, the King Himself is here preaching His own message––“Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

We talked about this command, “Repent,” a lot a few weeks ago with the ministry of John the Baptist. Just to sum up some of it for you, it is a gospel grace brought about by the Spirit of God in the hearts of His people. It entails a deliberate turning away from sin and to Christ that results from an inward change of the heart. You are awakened to the evil of your own sin before God and your need for mercy and forgiveness. You are grieved with godly sorrow over your sin and hatred for it. And in that grief you resolve to break it off––to flee from it and run to Christ in faith.

This is so necessary and must be pressed upon the consciences of all people. Repentance is essential in our response to the gospel as God’s Word is brought to bear on our lives. There are two parts to repentance. The first is a turning from sin to seek forgiveness. This is what the Bible means when it speaks of putting off certain practices or putting sin to death. You cut it off. You burn the bridges to that sin. You get the flip phone. You get on the computer only in public spaces. You seek the Lord’s forgiveness and the forgiveness of those affected by your sin.

But there’s a second part that many seem to forget. The putting off must be followed by a putting on. You flee sin and temptation and in your fleeing you run towards something. Like my kids who were cold playing in the water at the beach on vacation, they ran from the water to the warmth of a dry towel where we were sitting. Repentance results in a new direction toward a new practice. The void left by breaking off your sin must be filled with obedience to Christ’s commands.

We see this all throughout the New Testament. This is why Paul, in Galatians 5, contrasts walking according to the flesh (what we ought not to do) with what immediately follows––walking according to the Spirit and the attributes therein. We see it in Colossians 3, where Paul says, “If you have been raised with Christ (i.e. converted; born again), seek the things that are above…Set your mind on things that are above, not earthly things. And then he goes on to expound with things we are to “put off” and then “put on.”

PUT OFF; PUT TO DEATH

PUT ON

sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk

compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and… forgiving each other

above all these put on love.

Furthermore, repentance and faith go hand in hand. Remember that from last time. They are two sides of the same coin. True repentance is present wherever there is true saving faith. True saving faith is evidenced by genuine repentance. And faith is a part of putting on the new obedience and practices. Here’s what one pastor I read said on this that was so helpful:

“Faith not only believes in Christ for forgiveness, but it also believes in Christ for new obedience. And the way that God has created the world is such that frequently it is in the very act of faithful obedience that healing begins to take place. The old [habits] will not immediately vanish, but new (obedient) [habits] will begin... When forming new habits (of body, mind, soul) the only way to begin is to begin (and to persevere).”

Love ones, what areas of your life need to be assessed according to this practice of putting off and putting on? This is the Christian life! There is a beginning point, yes, but it’s only the beginning. Christians engage in a lifelong journey of repentance as the LORD progressively brings conviction that leads you to greater repentance. A daily dying to ourselves and taking up our cross to follow Jesus. And by His grace through faith we will increasingly become more like Him. Are you doing that? Becoming more and more like Jesus?

Additionally, as you walk this lifelong path, there are people living in darkness all around us. People who need us to open our mouths and proclaim this message without compromise or fear, but with truth and love. Jesus commands all of His followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that He has commanded.

Loved ones, where are the places of darkness around us that need the light and hope of Jesus? Who are the people around us and even in our midst that have yet to know and experience the light and hope that is found in Christ alone? And what are you doing to bring that light and hope to such people? If you are in Christ, having been transferred from the domain of darkness and into the light of His kingdom, what are you doing to bring others into that light?

There’s countless opportunities around you. SImply in your places of work. Some of you are teachers. You interact with other teachers and students who are living in darkness. The darkness of performing in order to be well liked and receive praise and accolades from the world in their studies and in their sports. The darkness of pursuing success the way the world defines it with all its glitz and glamour rather than success defined by faithfulness to God. You have the opportunity and privilege to call them to a better way. To repentance and faith in Christ. Living for Him and His glory, not the glory that we try to achieve for ourselves.

Maybe the LORD is calling you to try and start a workplace Bible study, like our brother Joel Anderson has done. And if you do that, let me know so we can encourage and pray for you in those efforts as a church. If you can’t do it in your workplace, maybe there’s somewhere else you can do it. Thereby taking the gospel to some of the darkest places around us like the Clearwater County jail in Bagley. There’s a lot of ways to get out and shine the light of Jesus in some really dark places around us, loved ones.

Are you intimidated by the idea of doing such things? Maybe you don’t know what to say? Just open the Bible and say what the Bible says. It’s the easiest and hardest thing you’ll ever do. Easy because you don’t have to be clever and craft a new message. It’s already given to you. The hardest thing because it will require you to die to yourself––your own prideful desire to be liked and accepted by everyone. To speak the truth in love knowing that it will cause many to despise you. To think you're weird and over the top.

But if you understand what Christ has done and the certainty and authority of His message and what awaits all who do not repent and believe, that is a price we must be willing to pay for the joy of others in Christ. Think of it this way, if someone wasn’t willing to do that with you, you would still be on the broad road that leads to destruction. Aren’t you thankful someone was weird and over the top about Jesus and His message with you? Go and do likewise.

Conclusion

Paul wonderfully teaches us in Romans 10 that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. But He goes on to remind us immediately after that of the necessity that we preach the gospel in order for this to happen. Romans 10:14-15:

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

That’s what Paul said and did. The same thing that King Jesus did in His earthly life and ministry. We proclaim the good news, the gospel of the kingdom, calling people to repentance and faith.

This isn’t a charge for just pastors and missionaries. It’s a charge to all of God’s people. And I desperately want us all to take up this charge together. Whatever your situation and capacity is, we have a message to proclaim. A message for all people who will hear and heed the message. Loved ones, Rejoice in and proclaim the King’s message.

Discussion Questions

What was the main point of the sermon? Was that clearly demonstrated from the text? If so, how? If not, why not?

What does Matthew’s use of Isaiah 9:1-2 teach us about the scope of Jesus’ ministry? What about this causes you to rejoice in Jesus’ message in relation to your own life and walk with the LORD?

A key component of Jesus’ ministry was preaching. Why is preaching so important? How can you uphold the importance of preaching in your own life, even if you never preach a sermon?

What message did Jesus preach? What two components make up biblical repentance and what does that look like practically? What is the relationship between repentance and faith? Why is repentance so important and why is it so important for us to call people to repentance as we share the gospel?

What in this passage stirs your heart toward worship? What in this passage produces gratitude? What in this passage calls you to action? What in this passage invites you to repentance?

Spend time praying for our study of the Gospel of Matthew—that the LORD would bless us with a greater love for Christ and commitment to proclaiming Christ as King together.