-THE LIFE OF CHRIST - THE GALILEAN MINISTRY

-Jesus Withdraws – Multitudes Follow

-Matt 12:15-21, Mark 3:7-12

-Due to the conspiracy of the Pharisees and Herodians, Jesus withdrew to the sea of Galilee.
   However, multitudes, composed of people from a variety of places (Mark 3:7-8), continued to
   follow Him.  Jesus continued doing mighty works but instructed the people to “not make him
   known” (Matt 12:16).

     -Matthew points out that this was a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy – Isaiah 42:1-4.
        The fact that Jesus had withdrawn and that multitudes (including Gentiles) were coming to
        Him fulfilled “He shall not strive, nor cry, neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets”.
        The fact that Jesus continued to heal the people fulfilled the references to the bruised reed
        and the smoking flax – emblems of weakness.  Rather than casting these people aside,
        Jesus received them and healed them.

-Jesus Appoints the Twelve Apostles

-Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-16

-In Luke’s account we find that Jesus “continued all night in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12) prior to

  selecting the apostles.  This should be a valuable lesson for us on the significance of prayer –
    a tool that we often times fail to properly utilize.

-Jesus gathered His disciples together and from them appointed twelve to be apostles.

     -apostle – (Thayers) – “…a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders…” 

     -“The apostles were to be with Jesus, that they might be taught by his words, and that they
         might become teachers of that word and witnesses as to the life and actions of Jesus.  A
         necessary condition, therefore, to their apostleship was this seeing of Jesus and the
         consequent ability to testify as to his actions, especially as to his resurrection”
         (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 221).