Matthew 4:12-16

     ON EVANGELISM: PREACH THE GOSPEL AT ALL TIMES: IF NECESSARY, USE WORDS.
(credit to Saint Francis)  In other words, let people see Christ in you.  Live a life that is Christ-like and then introduce them to Jesus with your words.  Your own personal relationship with Him is the best place to start.
     Ephesians 1:13 says, " In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye are sealed with that holy Spirit of promise."
     I Thessalonians 1:5-6 says, "For our gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as you know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. (6) and ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost."
     Old Testament kings would send decrees, invitations or announcements on scrolls to the largest cities and they would seal those scrolls with a drop of wax and an impression of their signet ring.  That signet impression proved that the message was from the king.  This practice was followed in England thru the 1800's.  The king sealed the news with his signet just as Jesus sealed us with His blood and by our faith.
     Thus began the start of the ministry of Jesus Christ.  John the Baptist had completed his mission as the forerunner of the Messiah and was in jail for continuing to preach the gospel. John had to decrease in status so Jesus could increase before the children of Israel.
     After His baptism, Jesus went from the Jordan River to Sycar which was about 40 miles from Jerusalem,  then to Samaria and to Nazareth and then to  Capernaum.  This was near a lake near Zebulon and Nephthalim.  This fulfilled a prophecy by the prophet Esaiah in Isaiah 9:1-2 stating that "the land of Zebulon and the land of Nephthalim, by way of the sea, beyond Jordan, to Galilee of the Gentiles. (2) The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them that sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up."
     Such a beautiful verse for God to introduce His Son to the Gentiles.  Take the time right now to read Isaiah 9:2 several times, then close your eyes and feel the Holy Spirit fill you up.  What a way to get closer to God.

          "Earth's crammed with heaven.
               And every common bush alive with God,
          But only he who sees, takes off his shoes.
               The rest sit round it, and pluck blackberries."
from "Aurora Leigh" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)